Results 30,261-30,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have repeatedly-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I did not.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: In case there was any confusion earlier, I would never suggest that Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan is not interested in humanitarian aid. She is one of the people in this House for whom I have much regard on issues such as this. She has made a long and distinguished contribution to humanitarian assistance in many conflicts and difficult situations. I want to put that matter to bed. If that was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The nomination of the Irish Commissioner to serve as a member of the next College of Commissioners will be taken by the Taoiseach and Government in due course. Following the election by the incoming European Parliament of the new Commission President, which is expected to take place in July, I expect the new President to begin working with member states who will designate Commission...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is right that the next five years will be crucial for the EU and for Ireland's place in it. There is no question about that. I hope that Brexit will not still be an ongoing issue in August, September and October, although it could be. To be honest, I do not want get above myself; this is a call for the Taoiseach. He will make a recommendation, taking into account many of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: As already stated, it is not my call. As a member of the Government, I will have an input into the decision but this is ultimately down to the Taoiseach's judgment. I disagree with the Deputy's overall point. This is a democratic process; the Government is democratically elected and represents Ireland's interests. Every day it make decisions on behalf of the people and it can be changed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 9, 20 and 34 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 effective...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Like everybody else, while I have been in the House this morning I have been reading on my phone about the UK Supreme Court decision in relation to the murder of Pat Finucane and the attempts by the family to secure a full public inquiry. The Government's position remains clear and consistent. We believe an independent public inquiry into the Finucane case should be established in line with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: At a political level, a successful meeting of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit took place in Dublin Castle last week. It was the fifth meeting of the dialogue to date. There has been engagement between civil servants in Dublin and Belfast on understanding the challenges of Brexit and the responses that may be necessary, particularly in a no-deal scenario. We have had some very good...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We would accept a bit of it, too.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16, 22 and 23 together. I was deeply disappointed by Israel’s announcement that the mandate for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) would not be renewed. The TIPH, a civilian observer mission which was established in 1997 as part of United Nations Security Council Resolution 904 and the Oslo II accords, has played an important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements is a priority for my Department and indeed the Government as a whole. The approach of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I and my officials regularly meet Ambassadors from EU Member States as well as those from other States accredited to Ireland. Some recent occasions include - At a meeting of EU Heads of Mission, hosted by the Ambassador of Bulgaria, on June 19th2018. When EU Ambassadors attended my State of the Union address hosted by the Institute for International and European Affairs on 30 January 2019....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland and the UK have solemn and binding obligations to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and that there is no return of a hard border on the island of Ireland. The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which contains the provisions for the “backstop,” was negotiated on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: St Patrick’s Day is a unique opportunity, unmatched by any other country, to promote Ireland to an international audience and to renew our bonds with the global Irish family. Ministerial visits over the St Patrick’s Day period advance Ireland’s political and economic interests, and deepen relationships with important partners and Irish communities overseas. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 46 together. I welcome this opportunity to provide an update on the situation in Yemen. The Yemen conflict is a very complex situation, and the challenge of resolution should not be underestimated. What began as a conflict between the internationally-recognised Government and the Houthi de facto authorities has developed to involve outside...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Last week the Government of Israel decided unilaterally to withhold the equivalent of 123 million Euro in Palestinian tax revenue transfers. This decision is a result of legislation adopted by the Knesset last year that instructs the Government to withhold money equivalent to what the PA pays to Palestinians convicted by Israeli courts of involvement in terrorism or other security-related...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 25 and 30 together. The Government fully supports the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which was signed by each EU Member State and the Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016. This is the first bilateral agreement between the EU and Cuba. Its signature marked a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including anti-Semitism. Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Through our multilateral engagement, Ireland consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has seen significant increases in passport applications received in recent years. The increase in demand is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad, a growing population, as well as a rise in passport applications from Irish citizens residing in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Passport...