Results 29,821-29,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a fair question. We cannot just hope that this issue will go away. As the Prime Minister said, the solution to the Border will not emerge simply because people sit around and say we will not have one. It is not just about aspiration; it is about practicality at this point and providing guarantees in law. That is what we are at here. There is a shared responsibility on this...

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: On aviation, which is hugely important from an Irish perspective, because we are an island, about half the people who come to Ireland by air come from the UK airports. Connectivity is hugely important and the majority of people who come via the UK come via Aer Lingus or Ryanair. They are by far the two most important airlines for Ireland. In December the EU provided reassurance on a...

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: It will be up to the regulator to assess the ownership model and controlling shareholding and whether that qualifies an airline as an EU airline or not. In simple terms, if the airline is more than 50% owned by EU or EU-based shareholders, then that qualifies the airline.

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that neither Aer Lingus nor Ryanair is more than 50% owned by shareholders in the EU. Should the UK leave and not be an EU member state any longer, there may be issues in terms of qualification as EU airlines-----

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----but I also understand that both Aer Lingus and Ryanair have plans should they need to change their status. That is a matter between the airlines and the regulator. If the United Kingdom crashes out of the EU without a plan on 29 March, on the following day it will be a third country and the changes would take effect straight away.

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy poses many interesting questions. The question of an application for an extension to Article 50 is a matter for the British Government and Parliament. I do not think it is up to us or anybody else to advise them on that because it is a democratic choice they will need to make. If an application is made for an extension of Article 50, the Taoiseach and I have indicated that we...

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As a former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I know - and the current Minister, Deputy Creed, knows - how sensitive the agriculture and fishing industries would be to a bad Brexit. We need to protect and shelter the sector in a worst case scenario, and we will. That will not be easy. It will be challenging but we will work with farming and fishing representative bodies to...

Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was criticised earlier by Deputy Crowe for not giving more detail. I must inform him that, in view of the time constraints, I was anxious to let some of my colleagues contribute. As I have time now, I wish to respond to some of the concerns outlined by colleagues. In terms of the politics of this Dáil, I thank all parties for their patience and co-operation on what has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: A Proposed Regulation on strengthening the security of ID cards and of residence documents was submitted by the Commission on 17 April 2018. Irish officials at the Permanent Representation in Brussels, as well as representatives of the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs, engaged extensively in discussions on the proposed Regulation to ensure that the institutions and EU Member States...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 52, inclusive, together. I am deeply concerned about the violence which has accompanied recent protests in Sudan, including credible reports of the use of live fire by the Government of Sudan and of multiple deaths. Demonstrations, triggered by spiralling costs of living, began in the city of Atbara in the north east of the country on 19 December...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a long-standing contributor to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and has contributed an average of €85,000 each year since 2010. The Trust Fund provides direct assistance to victims of torture and their family members in 79 countries worldwide. This assistance can take the form of humanitarian, medical, psychological, legal, social and financial aid. Grants are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The recent peace monitoring report from the Community Relations Council is extensive and covers topics ranging from the Northern Irish economy to LGBT rights. The report highlights the continuing challenges facing Northern Ireland and the peace process overall, and how they are being exacerbated both by the continued absence of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government, given the importance of the landbridge in getting Irish products, in particular agrifood products, to market on continental Europe. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Making the case for supporting measures at EU level that recognise where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy is a key pillar of the Government’s response to Brexit. There is a firm understanding at EU level of the unique and disproportionate impact that Brexit will have on Ireland. This has been reflected in a number of concrete measures and commitments to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally, particularly for capital projects where independent project evaluation advice is required for key decisions. During the course of their engagements, these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department. This work contributes to a more effective and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and our EU partners have consistently made clear our view that the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian Territory is illegal under international law, and undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for achieving a durable peace.  The activities to which the Deputy has referred, including forced transfers,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for two Expenditure Votes, Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade. The airline costs incurred by Ministers and staff of the Department, across both Votes, in the year ending 31 December 2018, including in the network of overseas Missions, was €2,650,469. These costs are provisional and subject to audit. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The effective functioning of a Foreign Ministry requires continuous access to the most up to date international and national news. This is more important than ever in the context of Brexit, on which my Department leads. My officials need timely, accurate information from multiple sources in order to navigate effectively in the highly dynamic and complex environment surrounding Brexit and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected. A no-deal Brexit would mean that on 29 March 2019 the UK's status under EU law would change from that of a Member State to that of a third country with no trade or co-operation agreements in place with the EU.  The transition period, as...