Results 29,941-29,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I do not think this issue is necessarily as Deputy Crowe presents it. Catalan independence remains a deeply divisive and contentious issue in Spain. It is a legal and constitutional issue. Deputy Crowe is simplifying a complex issue. The Spanish Government is willing to open dialogue with the regional government. As another EU member state, we must respect the constitution of another...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 56 together. The legislation itself is a big challenge, logistically, for this Parliament. There are nine Departments involved in contributing to the legislation, including the Department of the Taoiseach. Essentially, there will be 17 pieces of legislation in one omnibus Bill. We hope to publish the Bill on 22 February. The legal draftspeople...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: We need to compensate for the absence of that certainty which all of us have taken for granted for most of our lives.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I understand that we are asking for a lot in this regard. We have asked the Business Committee to agree that we would waive pre-legislative scrutiny for this legislation. In return, I am very anxious to meet the Chairs of all the relevant committees in the areas that relate to the omnibus Bill. If necessary, we will facilitate sending officials into the committees, if Members so wish, to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: There is a range of areas. Even though the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has not been directly involved some of the measures may impact on children. I refer, for example, to child benefit payments for people living in Northern Ireland who may have been working south of the Border, who receive payments in the North. We could take a detailed look at the legislation and if the Joint...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Who is the Minister?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister must be on his way.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The next question is Deputy Gino Kenny's.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to take it while we are waiting for the Minister.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to have the opportunity to answer this question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 90 together. Prisoners' issues are among the human rights issues which my Department follows in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and raises with the Israeli authorities both bilaterally and through EU-level contacts. We have paid particular attention to the questions of administrative detention, treatment of minors and the increasing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, I am very interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as are many Members of this House. We debate it regularly here and I take questions on it regularly. We do raise human rights concerns about conditions in prisons, particularly for minors. I have raised it both in Israel and in other fora, and I will continue to do that. I do not have the full details on this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: What is the Topical Issue matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: If I had a reply, I would read it out for Deputies but I do not have it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: If Deputies will give me two seconds, I will see if he is available.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights Cases (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is probably Deputy Michael D'Arcy. I will make sure the relevant Minister comes in straight away.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 53 and 54 together. The continuing absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a source of deep concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government.  The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for the submission of passport applications by Irish citizens at home or abroad. These include a postal application system, an online passport application service, and a counter service for applicants who have immediate travel plans. The current waiting times for postal applications through the postal application system, Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 78 together. Throughout the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, I, as well as officials from my Department, engaged in extensive contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Task Force, and the UK, to advance Ireland’s priorities. The Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed in November, and adopted by the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the immigration issue in the US since taking office. We will continue our efforts in this regard until we secure progress – both in terms of future legal immigration opportunities for Irish citizens; and in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status.  Special Envoy to the US Congress on...