Results 27,901-27,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----what was virtually a ten-year period of capital underinvestment in health care. We are now making up for that and will spend significant amounts of capital on health care infrastructure and provision in the coming years. In the meantime, most in the House would accept that, while people are not getting locally some of the complex operations they need, they are able to access those...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, the Bill is going through the system at the moment. It has been through Committee Stage. There are a series of issues with it, given its legal complexity and the amendments that have been made, some of which were supported by the Opposition and others of which were not. Of course the Government notes what the European Commission says. This is not driven by one...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: A decision has been made by the Government that we need to make a fundamental change in terms of judicial appointments. We must ensure that, on a new body that is set up to make recommendations to the Government, there will be a lay majority. That is not inconsistent with what many other countries in the EU have done, including our closest neighbours.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We must examine the precedent while also taking note of the comments of Opposition parties and the European Commission. We will have an opportunity to tease through those issues on Report Stage of the legislation.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As regards the ESRI report, such reports are helpful, but they must also be put in context. The ESRI looked at a worst case scenario and outlined the possible cost to the citizens of Ireland.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is doing so. We are planning, as we must, for a worst case scenario, but we also negotiating on a best case scenario. It is important that we do not allow a narrative to develop that this is the likely outcome of Brexit because that is not the case.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We must ensure we will prepare for all scenarios, as we are doing. We have asked all Departments to give us feedback on the preparations they believe are necessary to deal with the worst case scenarios. I am unsure if it would be helpful to publish that feedback which I have not yet read, but I am happy to brief other political parties on it. We must make a judgment call on what is helpful...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I think the Deputy is referring to a commitment in the programme for Government to fund health care services generally. He is probably stretching it a little. I cannot give him an answer about a specific project on the floor of the House, but I will ask the office of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to revert to him.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No legislation has been promised. Clearly, there are some teething problems, but-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The programme for Government contains a commitment to invest heavily in commuter transport services and the Government is doing so. Clearly, there are management issues and teething problems------

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: ------on Luas cross-city which have caused many problems for consumers.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: These issues must be dealt with, but they are largely management issues for the operational company concerned.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to revert to the Deputy on that issue. It is a specific question about health services.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The agreement made in principle this week on a transition period of almost two years after Britain leaves the European Union has provided reassurance for fishermen in Ireland that their access to United Kingdom waters under the Common Fisheries Policy will not diminish or change during that period. That is very welcome as there was much concern in the fishing community in that regard. We...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are increasing the number of training places for GPs and we are seeing a gradual increase in that area. An engagement involving the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation on general practitioner contractual issues, such as FEMPI, is expected to resume next month. The Minister wants to speak directly to GPs on the issue.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is primarily a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He brought in a fodder transport scheme to respond to the very wet weather. There is enough fodder in Ireland - it is about moving it around and getting it to the farms which need it and that is why transport costs were the focus. If farmers are in extreme circumstances and there are animal welfare...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We do not have a date for that Bill yet but I will try to get back to the Deputy on it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister, Deputy Creed, is looking at the issue but he has not come back to Government with recommendations on it yet. It is a complex issue because some people had physical damage to polytunnels and others damage to crops, and it is difficult to put together a package that does not set an inappropriate precedent for loss of crops.

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 47 and 49 together. There are considerable and well-known sensitivities in relation to the position of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, and also to the Holy Places of Christians, Jews and Muslims, especially in and around Jerusalem. Concerns around these issues have led to significant tensions and even violence in recent years, which we...