Results 30,321-30,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----to make sure that is the case. If she was not still concerned in regard to the need for that work to continue, she would not have said it. The letter states that parents should seek assurances that no overnight trips take place without adequate numbers of trained supervisors. Scouting Ireland must ensure that each of these supervisors knows the exact steps to take if a child comes to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: On the Deputy's comments, it is true that the Mental Health Commission took a case against the HSE because of the poor conditions in St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. I have read the background to this. The Deputy very helpfully agreed to let me know the issue he was going to raise this morning. As he said, it is pretty shocking. The HSE's mental health service accepts the serious concerns...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, the 44-bed department of psychiatry based in St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny, is the designated approved centre for acute inpatient services for south Tipperary. Clearly, my previous answer recognises that there were significant problems in regard to that unit. They are being addressed, I am assured, and not before time. From reading the note on the context, I...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Let us get back to Brexit.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank Members of the House for their time and engagement over the past three days. Brexit poses an unprecedented challenge for Ireland and the ongoing uncertainty we are facing only serves to increase the scale of this challenge as we prepare ourselves for several possible outcomes. The unity and common purpose demonstrated by all the political parties in dealing with this challenge has...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: On Tuesday, 5 March.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: May I speak to Part 1?

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: To be helpful, I wish to explain to Members the position with regard to Part 1. It is a well-worn phrase but there is no getting away from the fact that Brexit will bring real changes for all of us. This legislation is about how we respond to that in a worst-case scenario. I will briefly outline the purpose of Part 1. Section 1 of Part 1 is standard and provides for the Short Title and...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: We will do so but I just wanted to give an explanation of what Part 1 achieves.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am sorry to interrupt but the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is on his way to deal with the amendments related to health which are in Part 2. Obviously the Deputy can speak to his amendment but I just want to make sure that the House gets the respect of individual Ministers dealing with sections relevant to their Departments.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: To be fair, we have moved pretty quickly thus far. I am impressed with the speed of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: For the sake of clarity, if a vote is called, I presume the clock will be stopped while the vote is taking place. Is that right, or does it form part of the hour allocated?

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I would like to respond to Deputy Howlin because he did ask me the question directly, following which I sought clarity on it. I will set out my understanding as to why this is not the issue the Deputy thinks it may be, legally. The proposed new section states:The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, make such order or...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The provisions will be reciprocal. We have a basis for agreement in multiple sectors to protect and maintain the common travel area, including access to work, healthcare facilities and social welfare. Some of those commitments require primary legislation, while others can be provided through secondary legislation or ministerial orders. We have a commitment that the UK will fulfil its side...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The memorandum of understanding is not directly related to this Part but to the entire Bill in many ways. That memorandum of understanding has been ready to sign for some time. It was agreed by senior officials. For understandable reasons, we have decided not to sign it until now but I have approval now from Government to sign it with my counterpart in the British Government. We will do...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: Members will see it as soon as it is signed because it is the interpretation of the two Governments of what the common travel area represents.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I think Parliament will be able to judge it but it is not like passing of legislation. It is a memorandum of understanding. We made a deliberate decision not to have a bilateral treaty on the common travel area because changing a bilateral treaty means going through the legislative process, which takes months. We have instead a memorandum of understanding which can be changed much more...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 42:In page 38, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “CHAPTER 8 ExciseAmendment of section 104 of Finance Act 200161. Section 104 of the Finance Act 2001 is amended, in subsection (1)(e), by the insertion of “, other than the United Kingdom,” after “destination”.”.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will leave the line Minister to respond on the substantive transport matters. To clarify the position for the House, it is currently the case that cars driven from Ireland to other parts of the European Union are covered by the EU's motor insurance directive. The directive allows one to drive anywhere within the Single Market while having one's home insurance certificate recognised under...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: One can.