Results 30,881-30,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have read the recent letter from the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to political parties in Northern Ireland on the grave implications for business and trade in the event of a no deal Brexit.  The letter followed the UK Government’s paper of 26 February which noted that the cumulative impact of a ‘no deal’ scenario would be expected to be more severe...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: A key priority for the Government is to minimise the impact of Brexit on Ireland's trade and economy. We have therefore consistently stated our wish to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and UK, including on trade. The Government has expressed a strong desire for the UK to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union. However, this is ultimately a decision for the UK....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Report on Murder of Pat Finucane (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government has noted the judgment of the UK Supreme Court in the Finucane case on 27 February, including the finding that an investigation compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights has not been held into the murder of Pat Finucane. The Taoiseach confirmed to the Dáil on 27 February that the Government’s position remains that an independent public...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) deals with the external aspects of migration, in particular cooperation with the countries of origin and transit. The FAC has held wide ranging discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration, António Vitorino.   Lead responsibility for migration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney:  In the case the Deputy asks about, the child in question is the child of naturalised Irish citizens. In view of the current situation in Libya, my officials are looking at the application in question as a matter of priority.  The child's Irish citizenship must be established prior to an application being made for a Irish passport. as a passport can only issue to an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together. Ireland is a strong supporter of the enlargement of the European Union and the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans. Based on our own experience of EU membership, we believe it to be a transformative driver for stability, peace, and prosperity. Both Montenegro and Serbia have been making steady progress in their negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Development (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: EU leaders will meet for a special informal summit in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May. During the meeting, leaders are expected to discuss priorities for the next institutional cycle and to prepare the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024, with a view to agreeing it at the European Council in June. In preparation for the summit, we will very shortly publish a statement on Ireland’s strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 132 together. Since I was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, almost two years ago, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza, has been a very high priority for me personally. Ireland has consistently taken action at both EU and UN level to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The United Nations is working to bring about a political resolution to the crisis in Yemen. The UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, has played a leading role in bringing the internationally-recognised Government and the Houthi de facto authorities (also known as Ansar al Allah) to the negotiating table. In December 2018, agreements were reached by the parties in Stockholm, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy network plays a central role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas.  Embassies and Consulates around the world provide vital support for Ireland’s State Agencies, including by supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. This is particularly important in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since before the Brexit referendum took place, the Government has been preparing for all possible Brexit scenarios. On 11 December 2018, the Government decided to give greater immediate priority to the preparations for a no deal Brexit.  Cross-Departmental co-ordination structures have taken forward work since then on a whole of Government basis, including preparing for a possible...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Agreement (17 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: 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 operation of all of its institutions. The devolved...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue again. He is mixing up a number of policies and reports but let me respond on the broader issue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government is absolutely committed to increasing the supply of all types of homes, including social, affordable and private housing. We believe in homeownership and want everybody to have the opportunity to own his or her own home. Institutional investment in the private rental sector is just one aspect of increasing supply. Although such investment is growing, institutional landlords...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Of course it is.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is difficult for me to listen to Fianna Fáil talking about this not being a time to re-engineer the housing market. We have a fundamentally broken rental market and we have had it for decades.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: It does not function well and we are changing it. We are increasing security of tenure for tenants. We have effectively introduced rental caps in areas where there is real pressure. We are introducing institutional landlords that manage much larger portfolios so we can achieve consistency in standards in our rental markets. We must increase the supply of affordable housing, social housing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is. That is why we built-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy examines the statistics-----