Results 31,641-31,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I reassure Deputies that the allocation for the school buildings programme is broadly in line with last year's allocation.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: In 2019, the allocation was €622 million. The allocation envisaged for the programme for next year is €620 million, which is more or less the same figure.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 is currently going through the House and is on Report Stage at the moment. However, I think the Deputy is referring to separate legislation, which is not due this session.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It gives me an opportunity to put several things on the record. Recent developments in Syria are deeply worrying. Turkey's military action in the north east of the country will further undermine the stability of the region, which is still reeling from the costly battle against ISIS. It will also undermine prospects for a lasting peace in Syria...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: A collective EU statement has been issued. There was a delay in it being issued, which I understand was caused by Hungarian concerns regarding what was proposed. All 28 members have now signed up to a statement of collective EU position, which is very welcome. Several members of the UN Security Council have requested that the issue be formally raised before the council, which would be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. Since 2011 my Department has sponsored six items of legislation, as set out in the table below. Post-enactment scrutiny was adopted for the duration of the 31st Dáil through Standing Order 141A, effective from 5 November 2013, and was adopted by Standing Order 164A for the 32nd Dáil. In that light, the requirement to report does...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have spoken on this issue previously when there has been tension in relation to advocates for independence in Catalonia. What we have seen is the response to a court judgment in terms of interpreting Spanish law, but we have urged, and will continue to urge, dialogue as the way forward here in terms of political interaction, rather than anything else.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: 17 May last marked the 45th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, represented the Government at the remembrance ceremony in Dublin. The Government stands in solidarity with all those who lost loved ones or were injured on that day, and who suffer still as a result...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“The 2008 Act”). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this legal requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship in his/her passport application. As part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 118 and 126 together. On 6 October, the US announced the withdrawal of US troops from north-east Syria, ahead of a Turkish offensive into Syrian territory. Turkey commenced military operations on 9 October, with the stated aim of preventing ‘the creation of a terror corridor’ along its border with Syria. These developments are deeply...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, and in particular the escalation in the levels of violence in recent weeks. Ireland fully supports fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of assembly and the right to peaceful demonstration. As I have noted previously in this House, Ireland has consistently called for these freedoms to be upheld, while encouraging all sides to refrain...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I look forward to working closely with Mr Borrell when he takes up duty on 1 November. His recent hearing covered a broad range of issues in varying levels of detail and, while interesting as indications of his thinking, can only be properly evaluated within the institutional context in which the EU and its Member States work. The Treaty on the European Union stipulates that the Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The ongoing crisis in Yemen remains extremely worrying. Ireland and the EU have been clear from the beginning that this situation can only be solved by political means, and that efforts to impose a military solution will be both fruitless and dangerous. We fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution, starting with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department acts as the Agent for the Government before the European Court of Human Rights. There are no outstanding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights finding the Mental Health Act 2001, or any section thereof, in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Nor are there any pending communicated applications before the Court regarding the Mental Health Act 2001. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have previously expressed my concerns about the passing of the Nation State Law in Israel in the Dáil last year. Much of the Law is declaratory in nature, and a year on it remains to be seen how much direct impact it will have in practice. However, even on a symbolic level, it risks marginalising Israeli citizens who are not Jewish, in particular the 20% of Israeli citizens who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Oct 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 remain in regular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: In recent years my Department has recruited a significant number of additional staff. As well as  recruitment to fill vacancies that arose during the embargo, staff have been allocated to support brexit-related negotiations and preparations following the decision by the UK in 2016 to leave the EU. Further investment since then relates primarily to the enhancement of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The EU is fully aware of the case of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and is monitoring the process of appeals closely. After the general elections in Bangladesh in December 2018, the EU noted that there was strong mobilisation of voters and participation of the opposition in the elections, but stated that the national authorities should properly examine allegations of irregularities and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The conflict in Syria has caused over 5.6 million people to flee Syria since 2011, the majority to neighbouring countries in the region. The Syria crisis has persisted for eight and a half years, and refugees have had to remain in neighbouring countries far longer than expected. Lebanon has welcomed a particularly large number of refugees from Syria, reportedly up to 1.5 million people. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (15 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Syrian conflict has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, causing more than 5.6 million people to flee their country. Neighbouring countries who have been hosting millions of refugees, particularly Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, are under immense strain as services and resources are stretched to breaking point. The military action by Turkey in north-east Syria which began...