Results 31,681-31,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: If the companies that win those contracts are not performing to the standard set down in the contracts to which they have signed up, there are consequences and so there should be. There are plenty of private bus operators that are doing a really good job. There are also plenty of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services that are really good. When providers, public or private, are not...

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

Simon Coveney: When the Deputy talks about free public transport, there is no such thing.

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

Simon Coveney: In those countries there is no such thing as free public transport. The State decides to pay for it or subsidise it if it wants to do it.

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

Simon Coveney: Whether that is through a private sector company that is delivering the service or a public sector company does not make any difference. Free public transport, if we choose to subvent and support it, will be a policy and budgetary choice. It is not free just because we decide to declare it free. Someone has got to pay for it.

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

Simon Coveney: Either the consumer pays for it or the State pays for it, whether it is being provided by a private sector company or a public company.

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

Simon Coveney: Deputy Boyd Barrett should not present this as something that it is not. I will come back to what I said before.

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

Simon Coveney: It is the outcomes that matter in the context of a delivery of efficient public transport, whether buses, trains or whatever. I do not hold a candle for any company that is providing a service here, whether it be State or privately run. We have a regulator to do that job. If people do not meet the standards that have been set for them, there needs to be a consequence. As I have said to the...

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

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the question. I completely agree with her in the last sentence of her statement about a more democratic and better European Union for everybody. In the context of this deal, I have been very careful not to endorse party political positions in the context of UK politics when it comes to Brexit. Our role has been to negotiate through our chief negotiator, Michel...

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

Simon Coveney: The first thing I want to reject is the assertion just made by the Deputy that EU negotiators have not negotiated in the interests of the Irish people. They have taken an extraordinary amount of time to understand the complexities, vulnerabilities and exposure on this island to the potential downside of Brexit. This whole process has been held up to try to resolve those vulnerabilities in a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am always very cautious about replying on the details of an individual case, particularly one as serious as the one the Deputy has just raised. I did not see the programme and I am not familiar with the case but I will certainly commit to raising it with the Minister for Health. I will try to revert to the Deputy with a detailed answer.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to that question is "Yes". The purpose of the consent mechanism, which Mr. Michel Barnier rightly described as a long-term democratic support mechanism - every four years, or potentially every eight years, depending on how people vote and the number who vote to extend arrangements, if they do that - is to ensure that Northern Ireland will not be kept in any arrangement...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am well aware of that review. The debate on the appropriate threshold for gaining access to social housing is ongoing. It is obviously linked to the questions of affordability and income. I do not have a date but I know the review is under way. I am pretty sure it is close to being concluded. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy directly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have a detailed note on female prison overcrowding. Maybe I could send it across to the Deputy rather than read it out. The Government is aware of the issue. We are somewhat fortunate in this country in that our percentage of the population in prison compares very well with that in most other countries. That is the way we want it but there are some overcrowding issues. We are...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that many bus operators are finding it difficult to get drivers. Obviously, the age limit for transporting children has been set for a reason, but I will raise-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are many sectors of society where, for various reasons, there are age limits for work. It is not discrimination.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a child protection issue. Regardless of whether it is appropriate to review the matter, I will raise it with the Department of Education and Skills. We will revert to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: To be honest, that is a matter for the line Minister and the Minister for Finance. It is unlikely that the budget provisions will change.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: There was a long debate on disability yesterday between the two leaders. The Taoiseach made it clear that we had seen dramatic increases in funding for the disability sector in recent years and into next year. However, there is an increasing demand, too. We will continue to prioritise this sector in terms of increased funding.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: No problem.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The second element of that question is well above my pay grade.