Results 27,161-27,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: What we are trying to do within the European Union is get unity and consensus. We have unity and consensus on settlements and a two-state solution. We have consensus on continuing to put pressure on Israel to ensure it comes to the negotiating table. We will continue to do that in an effort to try to get an outcome that is fair to Israelis and Palestinians. That is what we are working...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I agree with that. There are differing views within the European Union, which is why the EU high representative has looked to try to find common ground on certain issues. That is the reason the Israeli Prime Minister got a clear message when most of the Ministers were in attendance on Monday morning. The European Union is united in its concern around the continued expansion of settlements....

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Viktor Orbán was not there. The issue is how we move forward a process that can result in a two-state solution as opposed simply to making criticisms and protests. That is where there is a difference between politicians and NGOs in terms of what we need to try to do. NGOs have legitimate concerns and need to raise legitimate issues. I am a politician representing the Irish...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: What about Deputy Crowe?

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Will I let Deputy Crowe in first and then reply to both Deputies? I know what the Deputy wants to ask and I am happy to try to provide an answer.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: My previous answer covers Deputy Durkan's comments regarding the need for the EU to be a more influential political player in the context of the Middle East peace process. This is all the more important now that the US has undoubtedly damaged its potential as an honest broker in the short to medium term, which is very clear from the statements made by the Arab League and many Arab...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Unfortunately, the figure is a lot higher than 500,000 and I agree with the Deputy that they are illegal. That is not just my view; it is also the view of the UN. The settlements are totally unacceptable and are counterproductive in the context of a lasting peace settlement. They also make the politics for the Palestinian leadership all the more difficult in terms of convincing people that...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Niamh Smyth for her question. Last Friday was a crucial moment in the negotiations and a good day for Ireland, North and South. The Government’s long-standing goals in the context of ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement, in all its parts, and North South co-operation will be protected and in maintaining the common travel area were secured. Crucially, in the...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I agree with everything the Deputy said. The Border counties are in many ways uniquely affected by Brexit. The Border between Ireland and Northern Ireland will effectively become the land border between the European Union and the United Kingdom. That has created a lot of concern and has given rise to many questions and much anger in Border counties. That is why the Government took the...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: It is not by accident that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys, is also from a Border county. It was a deliberate decision by the Taoiseach to send a message that we are prioritising the Border counties in the context of the undoubted concern around Brexit. In the new capital expenditure programme, which will be announced in the first quarter of...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy's question reminds me that I visited Erbil just after the Iraq war. The Kurds there are an extraordinarily resilient people, as they are in Kurdish parts of Turkey. A referendum on independence was held by the Kurdistan Regional Government in September 2017. On 6 November, the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq issued an opinion stating the referendum was illegal, and the...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I wish to put on the record my admiration for the Kurdish people. They have been an extraordinarily resilient people and have played a significant part in facing extremism and terrorism within Iraq by directly fighting Islamic State. I do not have any details on the Turkey report but I can follow up on it for the Deputy. I will also need to follow up on the question of our direct supports...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am personally extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen. Three years of war have had devastating consequences for civilians, with allegations of violations of international humanitarian law, and significant loss of life. The death of former President Saleh has led to increased violence this month. The closure of land, air and sea ports in November, including for the...

Northern Ireland: Statements (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am very pleased to open these statements on Northern Ireland on behalf of the Government and I look forward to the debate. I know the intention is to have regular quarterly statements on Northern Ireland in the House, a development I very much welcome and support. The peace process is at a critical phase on a number of fronts. It is important that we regularly consider the issues in...

Northern Ireland: Statements (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Durkan should not be harangued by Sinn Féin Deputies.

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have discussions with my officials on an ongoing basis on all aspects of the EU-UK exit negotiations, and our national response to the impact of Brexit is unrelenting. I have regular meetings with my senior officials, including our Permanent Representative to the EU and our Ambassador in London, to discuss developments in the negotiations and these meetings have intensified in recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Priority Question no 28 concerning the United States Government announcement on Jerusalem, and to the statement which I issued on behalf of the Government on 6 December. I will not repeat those again now. The Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. Ireland has long looked...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 52 together. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two largest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses against refugees and migrants in Libya, and I am absolutely appalled by reports of slave auctions. Political fragmentation in Libya has led to a governance vacuum in some areas, but I call on the Libyan authorities to do everything they can to end this horrendous practice. The situation in Libya was discussed at the June 2017...