Results 29,641-29,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am saying that I am advised that there are no specific plans at present because the appraisal process has not concluded yet. We have not made a commitment in advance of that appraisal being finalised. That is the context in which the Department of Health will make further commitments for Galway. I hear the points the Deputy has made and they are not unreasonable. There are successful...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Ceann Comhairle warned me to respond within a minute.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are between 40,000 and 50,000 policyholders here whose insurance policies are underwritten by Qudos operating under the name Patrona Underwriting limited. On its website today, the company makes clear that people who have insurance with it should contact their brokers. The insurance industry has been in contact with brokers to ensure that people can transfer, free of charge, their...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I share the Deputy's concern that some people are effectively being ripped off with extraordinarily high interest repayment rates to access money. We have to make sure that people are protected in that context. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is looking at this issue and I am sure he will respond to the Deputy's Bill accordingly. I cannot commit him to a course of action, but we...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will ask the Minister for Health to revert to the Deputy directly on that. I do not have an exact date but I do not see why this should not move forward quickly. If there is a blockage, we will find out what is causing it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is a significant issue. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, has responded in some detail to the issues which have already been raised about the transfer of mortgages from Permanent TSB to another service provider. However, the Central Bank rules will continue to apply. We are also committed to introducing new legislation. The Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, has been...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are seeing a dramatic increase in the building of new homes across all levels, from the purchase market to social and affordable housing. If the Deputy cares to take the time to look at the numbers, he will see that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, is travelling next week. It is Ireland's intention to support the UN in introducing a new compact on migration. The idea is to try to build consensus across the UN structures to strike a balance between treating migrants in a way that is consistent with international law and recognising that countries have a right to manage their...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am familiar with the Bill but I do not have the information on timing the Deputy is looking for. I will certainly raise it with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae raised the issues in County Kerry which are the subject of a report published this week. The report raised very serious questions to which we need to respond comprehensively, and that is now being done. Deputy Neville put forward a proposal to address a concern relating to a local post office in west County Limerick. I will ensure that the Minister, Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: The recent events between Russia and Ukraine are a matter for grave concern and we are working closely with our EU partners to monitor developments and respond appropriately. I fully support the declaration on the matter by HR/VP Mogherini of 28 November on behalf of EU Member States. The declaration expresses the EU's utmost concern at the dangerous increase of tensions in the Azov Sea and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I very much welcome the passing of an Irish E3 visa Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives on 28 November last. Both the Taoiseach and I have raised the issue of immigration with the U.S. Administration at every opportunity, and I am pleased to report that this particular initiative has the support of the Administration, and of House Speaker, Paul Ryan. The House Bill itself was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have been working tirelessly since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017 to support and facilitate the political parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive. However, as yet, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU recognise the United Nation’s classification of Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. We fully support the ongoing UN efforts to assist the parties in reaching a lasting political resolution to the dispute in Western Sahara. Ireland supports the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, but does not have a view on the outcome of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 15 September last, the European Parliament adopted the Sargentini report - a reasoned proposal inviting the Council to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the European Union is founded. The Hungarian government have issued a written response in relation to this report. The Commission has provided a paper on the values-related...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. Since 2011 my Department has sponsored five items of legislation, as set out in the following table. Post-enactment scrutiny was adopted for the duration of the 31st Dáil through Standing Order 141A, effective from 5 November 2013, and was adopted by Standing Order 164A for the 32nd Dáil. In that light, the requirement does not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The Irish Abroad Unit in my Department manages and coordinates the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) in partnership with Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates abroad. This programme is a tangible expression of the Government’s support of, commitment to, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (11 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of this difficult and long-running consular case and have been in written contact with the citizen’s family here in Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing extensive and ongoing consular assistance to the family of this citizen since first being made aware of the case. Officials from my Department have met...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 109 together. The European Parliament adopted the Sargentini report, on 15 September last - a reasoned proposal inviting the Council to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the European Union is founded. The Hungarian Government has issued a written response in relation to this report. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (11 Dec 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of this difficult and long-running consular case and have been in written contact with the citizen's family here in Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing extensive and ongoing consular assistance to the family of this citizen since first being made aware of the case. Officials from my Department have met regularly...