Results 28,941-28,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Shared Maternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2018: First Stage (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.

Road Traffic (Regulation of Rickshaws) (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to open the statements on Northern Ireland on behalf of the Government and to add the topic of Brexit to our discussions on this occasion. It has been asked for by a number of other parties. We are all aware that Brexit creates additional challenges in many areas, not least for Northern Ireland. I am glad to update the House on the Government's engagement, as we work at all...

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that add-on was a Fianna Fáil request.

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: At the outset I wish to clarify something. The Fianna Fáil leader said that he did not specifically ask for statements on Northern Ireland and Brexit at the same time; the debate was to be split. There was a misunderstanding on that, but I do not want to cast aspersions on anybody. I will respond on Northern Ireland first. I repeat what has been said by many. All political leaders...

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: May I just finally speak about Brexit? Every time we have a debate on Brexit in this House, the latest development in Brexit is being judged as if it is the final outcome. Of course, there are problems with it, just as there are inconsistencies and concerns that the EU and Ireland would have about the White Paper published today. This is a negotiation. I have said this and people have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the current crisis in Nicaragua and am seriously concerned by the deplorable loss of life and the high levels of violence and insecurity which exist in the country at present. I wish to condemn unreservedly the appalling violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights or peacefully demonstrate in Nicaragua, as well as a culture of impunity where that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to advancing gender equality and ensuring that women are represented fully in our teams at home and abroad. Our Missions abroad, and our senior management structures at home, need to be representative of the people of Ireland and better gender balance will help us achieve one element of that ambition. My Department has an active Management Board Gender Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Dialogue has been ongoing between the European Commission and Poland regarding the rule of law since January 2016, when the Commission initiated its rule of law process following changes introduced by the Polish Government to the functioning and composition of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal. This is the first time that this mechanism has been used. The Commission issued further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. Engagement with all EU Member States is a key priority for Ireland in protecting and advancing our interests at EU level. In such engagements, we raise not just issues of mutual interest but issues of concern. There are concerns over the civic space available for NGOs to continue to operate in Hungary. These concerns have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Data (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). The Department seeks to minimise expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in areas where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, where independent evaluation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Passport printing and the personalisation of each passport requires highly specialised machinery, auxiliary equipment and a temperature-controlled environment. The production equipment and suites need continual engineering support and trained staff to manage the sites. The purchase cost of a new passport printing machine is in excess of €1.7 million. This does not include the cost...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together. My Department administers a number of funding programmes, including Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid, and the Emigrant Support Programme which typically supports Irish communities overseas. Smaller funding programmes include the Reconciliation Fund through which my Department awards funding to organisations and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: At its meeting at Chequers, the UK Government reached internal agreement on its approach to the future EU-UK relationship. The detail of this position will be set out in a White Paper, due to be published today. Ireland will consider these proposals with its EU partners, guided by the mandate provided by the European Council in March. Taking account of an assessment of the proposals by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Uniforms (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: The wearing of foreign military uniforms in the State is governed by section 317 of the Defence Act 1954 which prohibits the wearing of a foreign military uniform in the State without ministerial permission. My Department routinely receives requests from various States, including the US, for the wearing of military uniforms for a variety of reasons - attendance at official meetings or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: The remuneration of the staff of my Department is as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. The best estimate of the cost per annum is in the region of approximately €450,000 to €1,050,000 to include permanent and temporary staff. It is difficult to determine the exact cost of introducing an hourly rate of €11.90 for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Dealing with outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the Troubles is of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to building on the progress made to establish the comprehensive institutional framework for dealing with the past that is provided for under the 2014 Stormont House Agreement. Victims and survivors have had to wait for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the Peace Process over the last three decades. This support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in the US Congress. The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together. Ireland has not concluded a Status of Forces Agreement with the United States. United States military personnel transiting or visiting Ireland are under a duty to respect Irish law. As with all other States, only military personnel duly accredited through their Embassy, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 have a...