Results 28,041-28,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: At last week’s European Council meeting, EU leaders unanimously agreed with the UK government’s assessment that the Russian Federation is highly likely to have been responsible for the attack in Salisbury on 4 March 2018, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. They condemned the attack in the strongest possible manner and affirmed their unqualified solidarity...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am personally involved in trying to solve homelessness in Ireland and trying to fix a very broken housing market. I work with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Murphy, who is continuing the work in this regard. The numbers published yesterday of course are of real concern to us. On the need for new policy responses, as we have seen with the Rebuilding Ireland policy to date, new policy...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No, I said you do not have them.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: With regard to homelessness we are making some positive progress. For example, rough sleepers are down by approximately 50%. We have put in place much better emergency accommodation and much more comprehensive emergency accommodation, particularly for families but also for individuals. We accept that is simply a temporary solution while the State needs to deliver homes for people through...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: He seems to be suggesting that because there are some refusals there is something wrong. I do not think anybody should be arguing for everybody who looks for this loan facility to get it. Some people may not have the capacity to repay. While of course the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme gives preferential treatment to people under certain conditions, we all have a responsibility to...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have visited emergency accommodation and have spoked to families and children living there. As an individual and as a father, as well as a politician that has responsibility in this area, it upsets me that we have not managed to make a bigger impact in terms of the number of children and families that find themselves homeless tonight. That is why the determination of the Government to...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is, as usual, trying to turn a very significant policy challenge for this House and this Government into a party-political issue.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: In terms of acquisitions, the State purchased 2,266 properties last year, which is an increase of 181% on the previous year. We are focusing on acquisitions on this year also, in conjunction with banks and with others, to make sure that we can increase the number of social housing properties in the short term. A whole series of actions are taking place. We will continue to change policy if...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are a lot of questions there. As for the tenancies that were affected by the fire last week, my understanding is that the individuals and families involved have been accommodated, although some of that is temporary accommodation in a hotel. They are being provided with financial support, and of course the local authority is looking at trying to put long-term tenancies in place for the...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: That revision is due shortly, I am told. In regard to inspections and inspection capacity, there is a new €10 million inspection fund that will be available to local authorities to make sure they have the staffing complement needed to undertake an appropriate level of inspections. In the past, the percentages of properties inspected have been in the low single digits. We want to get...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is taking this issue very seriously. It is almost impossible not to have noticed, read about or listened to descriptions of a trial that was taking place in Belfast in recent weeks. That came to a head yesterday when it concluded. It raises many concerns at all sorts of levels but it is important to reinforce, for anybody listening today, the...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is taken seriously by us, too, I can assure the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Yes. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 did introduce a statutory definition of consent to a sexual act. It states a person does not consent to a sexual act if he or she allows that act to take place due to the application of force or threat, or the use of force. There is a series of detailed definitions to respond to the concern the Deputy rightly raised today. Of course, we...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Data Protection Bill was completed in the Seanad yesterday. It will be taken here the week we come back.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No, I do not have any engagement with the British Prime Minister today, and I do not believe the Taoiseach has either. She is perfectly entitled to visit Northern Ireland today and, indeed-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is important to note, however, that in 12 months, Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. We have had many debates in this House about how this Government and country need to approach the Brexit challenges we face. We are taking on those challenges and the British Government is very clear in terms of what the Irish Government is prioritising. Yesterday I confirmed that we need...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will raise the issue raised by Deputy Harty with the Taoiseach and try to get an answer. On the boarder issue of Opposition Bills, my understanding is that the matter was discussed by the Business Committee this morning. There is ongoing discussion on, perhaps, introducing a new approach to Opposition Bills and ensuring they progress. I am familiar with the individual to whom Deputy...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is about making the appropriate decision on the authority which will make determinations on appropriate sound levels in relation to a new runway. There was an initial recommendation that the Irish Aviation Authority should be the regulatory authority, but on good advice, it is now proposed that it be Fingal County Council. We discussed the matter in Cabinet a number of weeks ago and it...

Provision of Objective Sex Education Bill 2018: First Stage (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.