Results 28,201-28,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will try to be brief because I hope we will have an opportunity for statements on Brexit. There will be statements in the Seanad next week, and certainly there will be an opportunity for them in this House soon. There is a lot going on with regard to this issue. All I will do is to ask colleagues for their co-operation when we talk about Brexit and the negotiations to ensure people are...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will have to get the Minister, Deputy Creed, to come back to the Deputy on that.

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Not during this session, I am afraid. However, it is on the list.

Irish Aid Programme: Motion (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence for undertaking this timely review of Ireland’s development co-operation. I am pleased that Oireachtas Members have borne witness to the great work which the Irish Aid programme does in tackling poverty and in responding to humanitarian crises and natural disasters. As a people, we can be proud of the work which is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 to 58, inclusive, together. In the context of the UK withdrawal from the EU, the Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected, including the provisions relating to citizenship. The Government appreciates the solidarity and support which has been shown by all of our EU partners in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Maintaining the Common Travel Area has been a Government priority in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Common Travel Area is an important feature of the close relationship Ireland enjoys with the UK, with long-established bilateral benefits. It means Irish citizens can move freely North and South, East and West, and live, work, study and access social benefits in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have been greatly concerned by the events in Gaza over recent weeks, and especially by the appalling number of serious injuries to and deaths of people engaged in demonstrations. Every country is entitled to defend its border, but the use of force, and particularly deadly force, must only be used as a last resort and should be proportionate to a real and immediate threat. Israel is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I received an invitation from the Ambassador of Israel to attend an official reception to mark Israel’s Independence Day, which this year also marked the seventieth anniversary of Israel’s independence. I know that this is an important day for the Israeli people. For scheduling reasons, I was unable to attend, and my regrets were conveyed to the Ambassador.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 20 March last, the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment on the Government’s application for a revision of the ruling in the 1978 Ireland v UK case. The ruling is being fully considered by the Government. It is important to note that, although the Court dismissed the Government’s application for a revision, nothing in the ruling alters the Court’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 74 together. Over the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a Northern Ireland Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In addition to my personal engagement on Brexit issues, which are a top priority for me and my Department, I have weekly meetings with my senior officials in relation to the Article 50 negotiations. We discuss both Irish specific issues as well as those on the discussion with regard to the EU’s future relationship with the UK, which are also vitally important for Ireland. I am also...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the state of play regarding the Brexit negotiations. As Senators will have seen, we had a very productive time yesterday in Dundalk with the Taoiseach and the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, at the fourth plenary meeting of the all-island civic dialogue. I will say a little more about that later. Before doing so, however, I wish to...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The figure is 208, actually.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: That was last November. The Senator needs an update.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thought Senator Craughwell would get the barracks in all right.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for their engagement. I am sure we will be talking about Brexit in this House again. I know there is a lot of interest in it, and indeed in other issues linked to Northern Ireland and our relationships on this island.Of course there is an impatience for certainty in these negotiations. Often, when people speak about Brexit in this House or in the Dáil, there is a...

Questions on Promised Legislation (2 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: What are you suggesting?

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Northern Ireland (2 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. My officials and I have been following and engaging on this matter on an ongoing basis. Mr. Taylor who is from Derry was a member of a dissident republican group in recent years. In 1994 he was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he had been seriously injured in a premature explosion in Derry. He was released under the terms of...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Northern Ireland (2 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is important to say in the context of this debate that while there are genuine and real concerns about this case, I know that all in this House will agree there is no place for violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political aims in Northern Ireland or anywhere in this island. We again call on all those dissident republican groups which have not yet done so to renounce...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Religious Persecution (2 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have received the Church in Chains report entitled “Official India: On the side of the militants”, setting out the details of a number of violent incidents targeting Christian communities in India. The agenda for the next EU Foreign Affairs Council does not include India as a topic for discussion. A suitable opportunity to raise such concerns is in the context of the EU-India...