Results 31,461-31,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have made clear on a number of occasions Ireland’s full support for Michel Barnier in his role as the EU’s chief negotiator regarding the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.  We fully support Ursula von der Leyen’s assessment, as incoming President of the European Commission, that he has done an outstanding job since his appointment in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have maintained close contact with Commissioner Hogan throughout his time in office and publicly congratulated him on his nomination as the new European Commissioner for Trade, which was announced by President-elect von der Leyen on 10 September 2019. The European Parliament will hold hearings with all Commission nominees between 30 September and 8 October, with a vote on the whole...

Agriculture: Motion [Private Members] (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this important debate and I thank Fianna Fáil for bringing forward the motion. The Government will continue to be deeply committed to supporting and developing Ireland's beef sector. I am keenly aware that the past few months have been very challenging for beef farmers and their families following a difficult year for farm incomes in...

Agriculture: Motion [Private Members] (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was not.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am grateful for the opportunity to again brief the Dáil on developments on Brexit. There have been significant shifts in British politics over the summer impacting on Brexit but before focusing on developments, it is worth recalling the priorities which have shaped the Government's approach to Brexit negotiations from the outset. These were: the need to protect the Northern Ireland...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Does the Deputy believe him?

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: That clarifies that, then.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: They are being told.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Humphreys's Department has issued a report into Brexit-readiness.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Assessing the impact is difficult until we know what type of Brexit we are going to have.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) for the UN Security Council term 2021-2022 is approximately nine months away. The campaign is a priority across the whole of Government. The UN is central to Ireland’s foreign policy.  Our effort to secure a seat, which was announced in 2005, reflects this.  I am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Refusals (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since March 29 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to submit a copy of their Public Services Card (PSC) with their passport application. This requirement also applies to adult applicants whose most recent passport has expired more than five years previously and to adult applicants whose passport was issued...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. Ireland, together with our EU partners, respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia and regards the province of West Papua as being part of Indonesia.  I am concerned by the escalation in violence since August in both Papua and West Papua. While access to information has been somewhat constrained, including by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned about the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi almost one year ago. In the days and weeks that followed his death, disturbing information came to light that points unequivocally to the fact that Mr Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by agents of the Saudi State. In January 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Sanctions (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have been clear in this House on my concerns about human rights within Saudi Arabia – including the use of the death penalty, and the situation of human rights defenders. I have expressed deep concerns, in this House, in multilateral fora, and directly to Saudi officials, about the way in which the war in Yemen is conducted, by all parties. My Department has also consistently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: My officials and I remain in close contact with the European Commission and Taskforce members on Brexit matters. Together with EU partners, we are regularly briefed by the Commission regarding ongoing talks between the EU and the UK on Brexit. Talks between Task Force and the UK’s Chief Negotiator David Frost have been ongoing since the end of July, becoming more frequent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (18 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The continuing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland and the North South Ministerial Council is of grave concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland throughout the latest talks process, to encourage the parties to reach an accommodation. I continued this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Calleary for raising the matter. I am glad he has done so because it gives me an opportunity to express support and sympathy for the Lunney family and Mr. Lunney in particular. This was a shocking incident and many people today are talking about it, as they were yesterday. A completely innocent person coming home from work had his car rammed before being brutally pulled from...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is true that Quinn Industrial Holdings has been in ongoing contact with An Garda Síochána and the PSNI in the context of threats that have been made, violent intimidation and acts that have happened. This is not the first instance but it is by far the most serious. Both the PSNI and An Garda Síochána will attach the highest priority to this case. There is an...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I drops my kids to school when I can and am more than aware of the value of school secretaries as I am sure are Deputy Doherty and many others in the House. Industrial action by school secretaries who are members of the Fórsa trade union will commence tomorrow. Fórsa's pay claim is a follow-on claim from the current pay agreement which runs until the end of this year. The...