Results 28,741-28,760 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families and businesses from high electricity and gas prices. The Government's position is that a competitive electricity market, alongside energy efficiency, represents the most effective means of reducing household and business energy costs in Ireland. Domestic customers can avail of discounts either by contacting their...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will give a direct answer to that question. There is a huge responsibility on the Law Society, and if it wants to prevent the Government changing its approach towards the work it does, and the balance between what the Law Society does and what the State does in terms of regulation, it needs to deal with this issue with a firm hand. The Deputy said that it has ensured that a number of...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 is scheduled for next week. Perhaps there is an irony in that.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Those who are involved in the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 understand the differences between the two because they are genuinely different issues. On the ongoing saga of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017, the Members who are filibustering on it should reflect on the impact their tactics are having on other important legislation which is being delayed. I do...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have been involved in the discussions on how structures can be put in place to deal with legacy issues. I have met many families, both unionist and nationalist, since I started this job, which I am privileged to have. The stories are heartbreaking; families have been waiting for far too long for truth and justice in many cases. There is a big responsibility on everybody, whether in the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government will support Mr. Harris in that, as well as supporting a transparent and appropriate set of structures to ensure we can move forward-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is a difference between filibustering and voting against legislation.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy does not agree with the legislation, he should vote against it, but he should not hold up the democratic will of this House-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----which is aimed at saving lives.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I listened to the Deputy.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 is being introduced to save lives in counties such as Tipperary.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy believes it is bad legislation, he should vote against it and let democracy take its course. When I speak about Ireland abroad, I am proud of the fact that we have never, in my political lifetime, chosen to use migration or immigration as a source of political division or to create fear across society.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I hope that will continue. We should not talk about how we manage people who come to Ireland illegally in the context of protecting our society. That is done by An Garda Síochána, which does a good job at protecting citizens.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: People who come to Ireland illegally do so either to claim asylum or because they are economic migrants, and we have systems to ensure that we can test the difference between both. We should focus on those systems rather than creating ambiguity or grey areas that play on the fears of citizens.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Education and Skills, in particular, has been active in dramatically increasing the number of apprenticeship programmes. Approximately, 80,000 more people have been employed on building sites throughout the country in the past year, which is a dramatic change. However, we need apprenticeships to an extent that we have not needed them for a decade in other sectors too. I...

Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has confirmed that an application for the person to whom you refer, has been received. I have instructed staff of the Passport Service to update the applicant’s mother on the outstanding requirements for the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 25 June, where Ministers discussed security and defence, the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and Jordan. We were also briefed on the situation in Yemen by the UN Special Envoy. My EU colleagues and I discussed ongoing work on security and defence issues, and took stock of...

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the Deputy's last question, I am told that an executive director is about to be appointed after a long recruitment process. This is a new departure. It has taken time to get it right. We are focused on trying to get the right person and putting the right structures around that person to make sure that an executive director can deliver on the potential and ambition of the...