Results 30,201-30,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps the committee has but it has not happened while I have been here. We have to be honest with ourselves. This is not a fully representative committee. There are no unionists in this room. I know the witnesses can say they choose not to turn up, but that does not solve the problem. If we are going to have a real conversation here in the future about Northern Ireland and its future,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Yes. I do not think anybody here is looking to exclude anybody-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----but there is a-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We need to think about that. As a committee, how do we change the structure that would make it more inviting for others to come here? I do not think it will happen during the Brexit process per se, but after we get through this difficult period-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Great. That would be really good. On the criteria for calling for a Border poll, we know what they are in the Good Friday Agreement. Basically, it is up to the judgment of the Secretary of State, as to whether he or she thinks there is a majority that has effectively changed its mind or has a new perspective that needs to be taken account of. Some would say that is not ideal but that is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We, in the Republic of Ireland, cannot legislate for a Border poll in a way that is not consistent with the Good Friday Agreement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is a different issue and I mentioned that earlier. I take the point in terms of some citizens going beyond where the Government wants to go at this stage. I have heard those debates in Northern Ireland, where nationalism has a new confidence and it wants more radical solutions in some cases. That has to be part of the debate but that is all the more reason we need an Executive and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Very.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Neither the DUP nor the UUP was represented at the all-Ireland dialogue on Brexit. The Alliance Party and the Green Party were represented.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have work to do, as has everyone around this table. I am glad that Ms Begley asked about the A5 project in order that I can put the issue firmly to bed. The Government will make money available for the project when it is ready to proceed. We have not pulled funding from it. In many ways, it was a saving that was offered to us because the project would not be ready to draw down funds...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Order for Second Stage (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Last Friday, when the Government published this no-deal Brexit legislation, I remarked that, as an Oireachtas Member for 21 years, I found myself having the curious feeling of hoping this was one law which would do no more than sit on the shelf. People knew what I meant. It is in part an expression of the overall sense of sadness...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is not how the EU works.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is no longer necessary.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government published the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019 on 22 February 2019, in line with the schedule announced in January. It is made up of 15 Parts relating to matters within the remits of 9 Ministers. Prior to its publication, Cabinet met on 3, 15, 22 and 29 January to discuss the provisions of the proposed Bill. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Racism Measures (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 101 and 102 together. Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including anti-Semitism. We attach great importance to combating all forms of persecution and discrimination based on race, religion or belief, and incitement to racism and religious hatred. Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The UK is leaving the EU and some things are going to change. However, British citizens in Ireland are not required to take any action to protect their status and rights associated with the Common Travel Area (CTA), a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland which means British citizens can move freely to live, work, and study in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has primary responsibility for the regulation of civil aircraft. Civil aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions of war through Irish airspace and airports unless an exemption has been obtained in advance from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. In considering requests made by commercial carriers, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The promotion and protection of human rights internationally is a foreign policy priority for Ireland, as set out in The Global Island, Ireland's Foreign Policy document. Multilateral engagement, both in a national capacity and through the EU, is fundamental for adhering to this objective. Ireland works closely with our EU and UN partners in the multilateral fora to monitor compliance with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, as well as the rights of persons belonging to minorities. We strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating discrimination based on religion or belief, and incitement to religious...