Results 27,281-27,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The additional Guidelines on the Article 50 negotiations adopted by the European Council on 15 December 2017 represented a very significant step in the Brexit negotiations. These Guidelines welcomed the joint progress report agreed between the European Commission Taskforce and the UK. On this basis, it was agreed that sufficient progress has been made in phase 1 of the negotiations and that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Reviews (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not undertaken any projects to consolidate or amalgamate existing legislation in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. The Government does not support a policy of “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”, or BDS, in relation to Israel. I firmly believe that such an approach is counter-productive, and that it will not help to increase ordinary Israelis' understanding of the sound basis for international concern about the impact of occupation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my condolences are with the family of the victim. Such violence is entirely unacceptable, and I urge the Government of Peru to fully investigate the case and bring the perpetrators of this violence to justice.Ireland is committed to supporting the advancement of human rights in Peru. Most recently, Ireland used the occasion of the 28th...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of recent developments in Peru regarding the pardoning of former President Alberto Fujimori, and I note the statement on the matter which was made by a group of United Nations human rights experts on 28 December. While Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Lima, officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are following the situation in Peru closely, in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Election Monitoring (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The developments in Honduras following elections which took place there on 26 November are being closely monitored by officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.I condemn unreservedly, as I have previously done, the loss of human life in violent circumstances in the aftermath of the elections and I convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. It is imperative...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Investigations (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, and I am concerned by the allegations of torture made in relation to Mr Jagtar Singh Johal. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland works closely with Human Rights Defenders to protect the work they do and to promote the value of civil society space. Article 19 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have the opportunity at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings to meet with my fellow foreign ministers, including my German colleague. Germany is of course a very important partner for Ireland and our bilateral relationship is excellent. To ensure that we are doing all we can to maximize the potential of the relationship I recently announced a Comprehensive Review of our relations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 December 2016, 3.64% of staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade had a declared disability in accordance with the definition in the Disability Act 2005. The 2016 figure is the most recently available and was submitted to the National Disability Authority (NDA) for inclusion in their Annual Report 2017. Figures for 2017 are expected to be available in the second...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not use anti profanity software on its email systems and online contact forms.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Government Information Service (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in advertising of Government information which it is considered necessary to bring to the attention of citizens. Online adult passport renewals are a key part of the Passport Reform Programme and my Department advertised during 2017 in order to ensure a good uptake by citizens of this innovative service. The advertising in question took the form of a multi-format...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Martin for raising this issue in a sensitive manner. I want to personally welcome the apology that was made yesterday by the acting Garda Commissioner to Joanne Hayes and her family. As Tánaiste, I also want to join the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Taoiseach in apologising on behalf of the State. I was thinking yesterday, as I am sure others were, of where...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I take the point that when questions of redress or compensation are being discussed in tragic circumstances in which the State is responsible for wrongdoing, there is often a concern about the setting of a precedent. Given the extraordinary circumstances of this case, I do not think it sets a precedent to try to deal with it in a sensitive way. With the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan,...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the Deputy also raised the case of Molly yesterday. The Ombudsman for Children's report which is very concerning highlights a gap in the provision and co-ordination of supports and services by Tusla and the HSE for children in foster care who have diagnosed moderate or severe disabilities. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, and the Minister, Deputy Katherine...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: A process is in place to provide for a review mechanism that will involve the assessment of section 39 organisations to ensure, where appropriate, the State can make the necessary decisions outside the FEMPI legislation which does not apply to section 39 organisations to guarantee continued service provision into the future. Others will be familiar with the case of Marymount Hospice in Cork,...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Certainty needs to be brought to the budgeting of many of these essential health care services and potentially services outside the health care sector too. The Government is committed to doing so as quickly as possible.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am not sure which part of my response the Deputy had in mind when he said it was "disappointing". Was he referring to what I had said about the case of Molly, disability services generally, the significant increases provided for or the efforts being made to resolve the section 39 issue? The Government has engaged with the trade unions. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, met...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are not only discussing hospices, for which the case is clear.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are talking about section 39 organisations across a number of sectors. The Government is committed to establishing the facts in order that we can make the appropriate determinations on pay restoration. We will do so as quickly as we can.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: While the Deputy and I often disagree, I agree with virtually everything she said. We need to ensure we rebuild a housing sector that can provide social and affordable private housing in a more effective and planned manner and do not leave this task to the vagaries of the market. This applies to Galway and many other towns and cities. It is for this reason that the Government will...