Results 31,281-31,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The demand for Irish passports has grown significantly in recent years. The Passport Service issued over 780,000 passports in 2017, over 822,000 passports in 2018 and so far this year, over 490,000 passports have been issued. The increase in demand for Irish passports is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad and a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government and I were pleased to receive confirmation on 27th June last that the new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Crawford, had been sworn into his new role by US Vice President Pence. Ambassador Crawford then travelled to Ireland and presented his credentials to President Higgins on 01 July. My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan T.D., attended this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department had no tribunals, commissions of investigation or statutory inquiries in the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics as per the directive issued by the Department of Communications, Climate action and the Environment on 3rdJanuary 2019. There are no public bodies or agencies under my remit.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Any extension of the Article 50 process beyond 31 October would have to be based on a UK request, which remains a matter for the UK. Should the UK not ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, and in the absence of an agreed extension of Article 50, then the UK will leave with EU with no deal on 31 October. In such circumstances, the EU would apply the contingency measures the European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Shareholdings (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Neither I as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, nor my Department, hold shares in entities.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: For the provision of security services, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently in contract with Manguard Plus Limited, General Secure Logistics Service (GSLS) and Information Security Assurance Services Ltd. The details sought in relation to these particular contracts are set out in the following table. Company Service Contract Start Date Duration Procurement Process...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is of grave concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. I have been working intensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in recent weeks in the talks at Stormont to support the leaders of the political parties in finding an agreement that will get all of the institutions of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Inter-Governmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises was established on foot of a resolution to the Human Rights Council in 2014, led by a number of developing countries, including Ecuador and South Africa. Four sessions of the Inter-Governmental Working Group have taken place to date. In advance of the fourth and most recent session in...

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit represents a unique and unprecedented challenge for Ireland. I think this House understands that well. Three months since the European Council extended the Brexit deadline to 31 October, we still do not know how or under what conditions the United Kingdom, UK, will leave the European Union, EU. It is hard for any of us to believe that the British Government and Parliament would...

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are trying to protect working people. That is what the Government has been doing throughout in the context of Brexit.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: They will all be contacted individually over the next two months.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: They will receive phone calls and we will have conversations.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: 12 o’clock I wish to close the debate by saying that on a practical level, we are about to head into recess and this summer will be dominated in media commentary and political concern by Brexit and by the build-up to what will be a challenging period in September and October, with a new British Prime Minister in place, with an ongoing negotiation and with a lot of efforts to try...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I also want to recognise the sad passing of two well-known and much loved personalities. I got to know Noel Whelan well during the marriage equality referendum but I had known him before then as well. He was somebody who had the courage to put his name forward for politics. He had a close connection with the Fianna Fáil Party but that did not determine his commentary and his influence...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy cannot argue with the numbers for the money being spent. In 2015 the budget in this area was €306 million and is now almost €450 million, an increase of almost €150 million in the budget.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: That recognises the challenge the Deputy mentioned, which is the increasing demand with an ageing population. We are trying to prioritise how that money is being spent. As I outlined earlier, improving the capacity to be able to move from hospital to a home care setting obviously also impacts on the hospital system. That needs financial supports, increased hours and supports for families....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is a concern. The Psychiatric Nurses Association members have withdrawn their availability for overtime from 7 a.m. this morning for an indefinite period. The PNA has indicated this will not affect child and adolescent mental health services. The HSE has stated that this course of action will have a significant impact on the delivery of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: In response to the first question there is no recruitment embargo. There is recruitment within the parameters of the budgets that have been agreed.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: There is recruitment taking place across the HSE. The Deputies know that.