Results 31,301-31,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: It is not just management. There are areas where there are staffing pressures of course. The Deputies cannot ignore the availability of financial resources when recruiting. There are targeted recruitment campaigns happening particularly in areas where there is most pressure but they have to happen within the budgets that have been allocated. Otherwise money that is not there will be...

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

Simon Coveney: Virtually all sectors in the HSE are seeing increased staffing. It does have to be cognisant of the available resources. People know that.

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

Simon Coveney: It is not helpful to go into the individual issues under discussion at the WRC to resolve outstanding issues. My understanding is that management is absolutely committed to bringing to a conclusion the issues that have been discussed for quite a long time, I accept that. I understand the frustration of the PNA but I also ask them to consider the impact of their decision on overtime and to...

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

Simon Coveney: On the news announced today which is impactful on many families, I will give the House an update on the source of the issue and how, I hope, it may be resolved. Last month the ESB shut Lough Ree Power Station in County Longford to carry out planned maintenance. The generating station was due to return to service the week of 6 and 7 July, but the decision was taken to defer its return to...

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

Simon Coveney: The issues at Lough Ree power plant this morning are not necessarily linked with the transition about which we are talking

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

Simon Coveney: It is a specific environmental issue with licensing, water cooling systems and so on in respect of discharge. It needs to be resolved, but the Deputy is correct that in the medium term the challenges will be significant. Having said that, Bord na Móna has been planning for this and talked to its workforce about it for years. It is already diversifying. Recently it created 50 jobs in...

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

Simon Coveney: The images we see from some of the detention centres on the southern borders of the United States make for very uncomfortable viewing. When refugees and asylum seekers cross a border, there are international standards that should be expected and delivered, particularly in the protection of children. The migration challenges and the suffering of children is not solely confined to the camps...

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

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has raised many issues and I would like to have the time to respond to them. I do not.

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

Simon Coveney: I accept that and I will stay within the time. This House made its views clear on the separation of children in the context of migration and refugees, and that position has not changed. I am not aware of everything raised by the Taoiseach with President Trump but I certainly hope to have the opportunity to meet Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Ireland later this summer. The EU...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle and all the others who have sat in the Chair this term for the work they have done to contribute to the work of this House. I also thank the Whip's office, which is a more complicated place when there is not a majority in government

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank Ms Alice Kearney, Ms Les Hamilton, Ms Elaine O'Carroll and Ms Katie Downes in the Whip's office who have shown extraordinary patience with me and others, including Deputy Kyne. I also thank the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting legislation. Many people were cynical about how this Chamber would operate with the numbers elected.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: More than 21 Bills have been passed this year and a series of others are ready to go for the autumn.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government is getting things done and will continue to try to do that. I also thank the staff of the House, particularly for late night sittings that have been added at different times. People have shown extraordinary flexibility to facilitate the work that we are doing. I will get a proper answer for Deputy Calleary from the HSE and the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, about...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: This is a sensitive time of year in Northern Ireland, as the Deputy knows well. Today is the eve of 12 July which, particularly for many in the unionist community, is a period of recognition of tradition, identity and many other emotive and powerful influences within communities. There is a responsibility on all of us and all communities in Northern Ireland to ensure that expression of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to the Deputy's question is that the plan will be published when it is ready.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Clarity on what will be spent next year must be factored into the capital plan for 2019. 1 o’clock The summer economic statement provided extra capital allocation for 2020. That is being factored in terms of how and where it will be spent in the context of accommodating the increased cost of the children's hospital. I understand the plan is close to conclusion. The 2019 spend...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a serious issue. I take it that this is a good company that was providing very good jobs. Every State support available will be given to the company and the workforce which now has a great deal of uncertainty. Those consultations are ongoing.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I said earlier, there is not a recruitment freeze, there is a requirement on the HSE to operate within its budgets. The HSE is recruiting but it is doing so where it has made budgetary provision to do so.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh (Atógáil) - Questions on Promised Legislation (Resumed) (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: This is a budgetary issue and the decision will be made at budget time.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh (Atógáil) - Questions on Promised Legislation (Resumed) (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: When I announced we were close to agreeing the guidelines, it was agreeing them for consultation and there has been a consultation process since then. My understanding is that the Minister, Deputy Murphy, is very close to announcing a finalisation of those guidelines.