Results 28,721-28,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Human trafficking is abhorrent abuse of people, particularly those most vulnerable, and I condemn it in its entirety. The Government of Ireland recognises that trafficking in human beings undermines the fundamental principles of human rights law and that it can only be tackled through global cooperation, partnership and a victim centered approach. At EU level, human trafficking is prohibited...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together. The Government’s policy on the Middle East has always been based on the belief that the two sides would need a degree of international assistance and pressure to reach a peace agreement. This is not dissimilar from our own peace process. The structures operational in the context of the Middle East Peace Process are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU remains dedicated to supporting the European future of the Western Balkans region. In the Council Conclusions on Enlargement which were agreed on Tuesday 26thJune, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to enlargement and stated that it continues to represent a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe. The Conclusions also stated that the EU is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Eastern Partnership Initiative provides a framework for cooperation between the EU and six countries in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, including Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia. The aims of the Eastern Partnership are to promote peace and stability in the region and to enhance economic and political integration between the participating countries and the EU. The model of cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The Government regards the question of possible disruptions to international trading relationships as a matter of concern and is working with its EU partners to promote Ireland’s interests. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has lead responsibility for international trade negotiations.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electric Vehicles (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: E-Car charging points are not provided at my Department’s buildings in Dublin or in other locations.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Is Deputy Calleary substituting for Stephen?

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. The House has spent the past hour and a half talking about healthcare. Deputy Donnelly was here - Deputy Calleary is now filling in for him, according to the Ceann Comhairle - asking the relevant questions. The Deputy asked what we are doing to recruit consultants. We have active recruitment campaigns both at home and abroad. We are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Dr. Kieran Moore did not have a waiting list and I compliment him on how he managed the challenges he faced.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: He has expressed concerns over the service in the south east-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----and we are addressing those concerns directly.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: On the broader challenges of recruitment, the State is limited in what it can offer in terms of salary levels and consultant contracts. We have consultant contracts that we believe to be appropriate. However, there is competition for consultants in certain specialist areas globally. We will need to continue to review how we get the numbers we need into the health system. I assure the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank all parties in the House for the support they have given the Government. Politics in Ireland is remarkably different from politics in the United Kingdom on the issue of Brexit. The work the Government has been doing on behalf of everybody here has, by and large, been supported very strongly by all parties even though we come from different places on so many different issues. That...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: For anyone who has been following the detail of what has been happening, suggesting that this is the best strategy for which the UK could have hoped does not make sense. What we have got is consistently conflicting messages from different British Government Ministers. This has made it very difficult to progress anything, including for Britain. No country needs an agreement before October...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: There were a lot of questions there.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Howlin also made a lot of comments. I am in very strong agreement with what he said regarding Africa in particular. I have been making a very similar case at EU Council Foreign Affairs meetings. The EU relationship with Africa needs to be the big new idea in the context of the future of Europe and its external policy. We are going to witness a population growth of about an extra 1...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are giving leadership on the EU-Africa issue and hopefully in the autumn I will be visiting Africa with the German Minister. Germany has a very similar approach to Ireland on this issue and we need big countries and big economies to back this type of thinking if we are to fund any project addressing the neighbourhood relationship we are to have with that continent. A big part of the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----as opposed to relying on amnesties. We need faster turnaround times for decisions and we need generosity, openness and transparency in terms of how those decisions are made. The signal we need to send to other European countries, and to the Irish people, is that we need a fair and generous system, that makes decisions quickly.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I know Dublin Pride is happening this weekend. I expect in this weather that it will be a great celebration, as well as a great party, full of colour and with many families. Every year the Pride parades, in Dublin, Cork or elsewhere, involve more children and that is to be welcomed and supported. Turning to the specifics of the questions Deputy Pringle raised on legal official recognition...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Those are fair questions and I will come back to Deputy Pringle with a detailed answer because I do not want to give an off-the-cuff response to a detailed provision of a broader item of amending legislation. I will say directly to people listening outside of this House and to same-sex couples looking forward to having their family unit fully and properly recognised in law, that legislation...