Results 30,161-30,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is becoming incredibly dangerous, but it is important that Members know that Ireland is not alone in the position it is taking to try to avoid conflict. Countries in South America, including Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador, support the position we have taken.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Neighbouring countries are trying to deal with the humanitarian aid consequences of what has been happening in Venezuela. Aid is badly needed by ordinary people, but it is not being allowed to enter the country. Therefore, tension is building, which is a real concern. The EU's position is very clear: we do not support the amassing of troops in a threatening way anywhere near Venezuela. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Clare Daly knows my position with regard to Yemen. I have spoken about it with her and with many others on many occasions. We continuously advocate for the facilitation of access of humanitarian assistance on the ground in Yemen.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I can assure the Deputy that I understand only too well the pressures of the beef sector. I chaired a beef forum for a number of years and I know the personalities in the sector well on the factory side and on the farm side. We have supported and will continue to support the beef sector through the rural development programme, where we have invested €300 million in the current...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: All of us in the House have a responsibility to try to give farmers guidance, reassurance and information.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: To state there is no vision for farming in Ireland is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have a plan called Food Wise 2025, which was preceded by Food Harvest 2020, which itself was preceded by a good Fianna Fáil plan. Farming is one of the few sectors-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy would just listen, he might learn for a change.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Farming is one of the few sectors in Ireland where consecutive Governments have planned five years ahead and this has been hugely effective in building and supporting a strong industry.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: It did not happen by accident that in the middle of a recession in Ireland, the agrifood industry and farming actually prospered. It did not happen by accident that Ireland-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----has changed the approach of the European Commission to the CAP to reflect the realities of farming in Ireland. Moreover, if Irish agriculture and farming face an emergency and crisis linked to decisions made in Westminster, it will not happen by accident that we will be able to support that industry and those family farms through that crisis period, which the Government will do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy should not be raising fears.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is playing politics with it. This is serious.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I confirm, as I am sure the Deputy has already had it confirmed to him, that flights have resumed at Dublin Airport. There was a temporary suspension of flights due to reports of the sighting of a drone. This is an issue which has been raised with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who has given a commitment to look into the issue and ensure an appropriate response is put in place.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are some very sophisticated airports in some very well-resourced countries which have not been able to deal easily with this issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We saw that most recently in the USA and UK. We should not pretend that Ireland is immune to challenges which are difficult to deal with from a technical perspective. We will, of course, learn from the lessons of others, in particular from our closest neighbour, to ensure we put measures in place which are as effective as possible.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. It is a pretty serious question but I will try to answer it within one minute. I thank Opposition parties in particular in the House for their support on the broader efforts on Brexit. We will be asking them for more co-operation next week on the legislation being published tomorrow. I met Michel Barnier on Monday and received reports from the Juncker-May...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is the Business Committee decided this morning that, because of the disagreement on the issue and the fact that the Bill had stalled on Committee Stage, the way to deal with the matter was for the sponsor of the Bill to introduce a motion in Private Members' time to agree on the way forward.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is my understanding from my Whip of what was agreed to at the Business Committee this morning. If there is a different interpretation, I would like to hear it, but that is my understanding of what the Business Committee recommended and agreed to. It is not a matter for the Government but the Business Committee.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a matter for the Business Committee.