Results 31,661-31,680 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, there are ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms there, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the targeting of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, this issue needs to be solved by the British Government. I raised the issue at some length last night when I met the Secretary of State in Northern Ireland. I understand he is meeting the Deputy's party this morning. In fact, he has probably met it in the past hour or so. There is an opportunity to raise the concerns directly with him. I share the concerns raised by...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy might know, I have met a number of families on both sides whose family members were victims of the Troubles, so there is no issue with setting up meetings.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: What we are trying to do - and what we are focusing on - is to ensure the legacy structures linked to the Stormont House Agreement are set up fully in order that inquests can take place and a historical investigations unit can be funded and established to ensure all victims of the Troubles can access the truth regarding what happened to their loved ones.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 3 October, I greatly welcomed the opportunity to meet on behalf of the Government with the relatives of those who lost their lives in the 1974 Birmingham Bombings. The lives of 21 people were brutally taken in these appalling attacks for which there was never any justification.  I conveyed to the families the Government’s enduring abhorrence of these attacks, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I are engaged with our counterparts in the British Government on an ongoing basis in support of the Good Friday Agreement and to address current challenges. The Article 50 negotiations are conducted by the Commission Task Force with the UK. Throughout this process, the Taoiseach and I have actively engaged with the British Government to underline the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 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: Brexit Negotiations (16 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I met with Michel Barnier in Brussels on 8 October to take stock of developments regarding the Task Force's ongoing discussions with the UK. I also took the opportunity to have a discussion with him during the GAC Article 50 meeting in Luxembourg on 15 October. During both meetings it was clear that Mr Barnier and the Task Force remain fully committed to the EU's core objectives of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: First, I urge caution. While an agreement between the Prime Minister and EU leaders has been announced in Brussels - I expect it be confirmed at the Council meeting later today - that is not the end of the process because it needs to be ratified by the British Parliament and the European Parliament. This is a big step forward. It is a new deal that recognises all the issues we have been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: We maintain open lines with all political parties in Northern Ireland. I am available to meet in person or to talk by phone any one of those parties that wants to speak to me. We reach out too. Earlier this week, I was in Belfast meeting the Secretary of State. I also had a breakfast meeting of approximately 90 minutes duration with representatives of Sinn Fein a few days ago. I have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: First, I do not accept it and nobody in this House should. No five year old child should be eating his or her dinner from a piece of cardboard on the street. We live in a country that does not accept this, and that is why it is being raised in the House today, as it should be. The budget allocation for homeless services next year is €163 million. When I became Minister for...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: Nobody has a moral superiority on this issue. We have and continue to prioritise homelessness and housing in terms of a response. As Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government I introduced the rent pressure zones to limit rent inflation when that was needed. Approximately 60% of rental properties in this country are now subject to those provisions. We have debated in this House...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: What we are doing is introducing policies in housing that are delivering where there is a need for delivery. That is in the context of supply right across the board, whether that is social housing, affordable housing, more rental accommodation or the private purchase market. Supply is being increased in all of those areas, in most instances quite dramatically. The idea that all of this can...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have no problem with changing our Constitution when it comes to housing but I do have a difficulty with stating that it is going to solve the problems of Sam, the five year old child to whom the Deputy referred.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: We need to put in place practical, emergency solutions-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----while we develop medium and long-term solutions to correct the supply problem in the housing market. The Deputy knows this only too well.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are putting a lot more money into public transport projects right across Dublin and the rest of country, whether that is in the form of the BusConnects project, light rail systems or whatever. The Deputy approaches this from an ideological perspective.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: Privatisation is something he can never accept on any level, on anything, whether it is housing, public transport or public-private partnerships to deliver schools.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: If there is a private sector element to any project that involves the State, the Deputy sees that as just unsupportable from an ideological point of view. It is a blind spot. What we are doing in public transport is trying to provide the best possible public transport for people. We are looking at certain routes in respect of which competition can lead to the provision of the best possible...