Results 27,481-27,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: No, it does not. Irish foreign policy is determined by the Government and by the Oireachtas. Before Irish troops go anywhere to any part of the world, we have a triple-lock system, which is a proven system that people trust. This is the basis for our military neutrality.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: We have also facilitated other countries that have landed and refuelled aircraft in Shannon.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is called international co-operation. Ireland is a friendly country with friendly relations with many countries. It does not mean-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: With all due respect to the Senator, I suspect that I have spoken a lot more about Yemen than he has-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not know that for sure, but I have raised the issue of Yemen repeatedly-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----so I will not take any lectures from the Senator about moral positions on Yemen. We have worked through UN bodies and through the EU to try to ensure action is taken to protect civilians in Yemen and to make sure aid can get in to Yemen, which is being prevented.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will continue to do that but I will not accept the insinuation that because we have a friendly relationship with many countries, some of which choose to use our airport facilities appropriately and within a framework that I have outlined, this somehow undermines Irish neutrality-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----and our decision making, because it does not.

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I hope the House will agree that by my speaking early, it will give Members an opportunity to respond to what I have to say. I also wish to indicate that I will be obliged to leave at 6.15 p.m., when I will be replaced by the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. I need to fly to London this evening. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address this House on this important issue. At...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I need to leave at 6.15 p.m. The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, will come in to sum up.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for issuing Irish passports and all connected matters. At both EU and national levels, public procurement is governed by a comprehensive regulatory and policy framework. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade adheres to the principle of competitive tendering in respect of its contracting for services, supplies and works....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. Based on the additional Guidelines on the Article 50 negotiations adopted by the European Council on 15 December 2017, work during phase 2 of the negotiations will initially focus on three areas: completing work on the withdrawal issues and on drafting the Withdrawal Agreement; transitional arrangements; and preparatory work for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Data (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are currently four Special Advisers employed by my Department. There are three Special Advisers to the Tánaiste: Ms Caitríona Fitzpatrick is my Special Adviser and Political Director. She was previously a Special Adviser in my role as Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Mr. Matthew Lynch is my Special Adviser on Cabinet, Oireachtas and Leaders'...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tender Process (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The reflection process launched by EU leaders in the aftermath of the UK’s decision to leave the EU focused increased attention on the future direction of the European Union. Feeding into this process, the European Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe published last March and the Leaders' Agenda adopted by the European Council last October have prompted a debate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (31 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, which is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The war has now been ongoing for over one thousand days, and has had devastating consequences for civilians, with allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and significant loss of life. I have not met with any Saudi Ministerial...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: First, the Government is acutely aware of the pressures in rural Ireland in terms of the need for broadband access. Like many Deputies, I grew up on a farm in a rural community. I know the responsibility the Government has to ensure that people in rural Ireland as well as people in urban centres can access the information and the opportunity that the Internet provides. They need speed to...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Dooley's suggestion that the approach the Government should take after all of the work that has been undertaken to date-----

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are about 80 people working on this for the State to get the contract right. We are expecting it to be concluded by September so that we can roll out State-sponsored broadband delivery rapidly after that. This is on top of what is already happening commercially, with about 300 farms per week, if the Deputy wants to raise the issue of agriculture, getting access to broadband. We want...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is not.

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: SSE is not a tiny operation.