Results 31,721-31,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (23 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s consistent objective - in successive talks processes at Stormont and in the context of the Brexit negotiations - has been to support the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the effective operation of all of its institutions. In April, the British and Irish Governments established an inclusive multi-party talks process aimed at getting the devolved...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (23 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The protection and promotion of universal human rights is one of Ireland's core foreign policy issues, and we, along with our European counterparts, consistently raise our concerns with regard to the human rights situation in China. With regards to the situation in Hong Kong, as I have noted previously in this House, Ireland fully supports fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (23 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of this case. As in all cases where Irish citizens are in distress or danger overseas, my  Department continues to provide consular advice and assistance as appropriate. We are carefully monitoring the situation, and are engaging with our Embassies in the region and with reliable international partners.  Given the particularly volatile and complex circumstances, it would...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Ceann Comhairle will have complete support from my party in the work that needs to be done in response to the report laid before the Oireachtas today. We look forward to an appropriate debate later this afternoon on the contents of that report. The EPA report on the 2018 emissions outcome reinforces the importance of implementing the climate action plan, which, as the Deputy will be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are beyond a wake up call. We have an action plan and it is being implemented. The budget that has been passed, on which the Deputy made a contribution, is proof of that. We are investing more in electric vehicles. We have ambitious targets and we need to meet them. We are investing more in warmer homes and have a budget to match. We have a commitment to have a radical change in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. On behalf of the Government, I would like to say that the tragedy which unfolded yesterday, in which 39 Chinese people, 31 men and eight women, including one teenager, died, was a reminder of how ruthless and shocking people trafficking is. This is not something which is comparable to trying to bring refugees from countries like Libya across the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: This Government is looking to ensure we have appropriate accommodation and invest accordingly to ensure we can look after asylum seekers properly when they come to Ireland until their asylum applications have been processed and decisions have been made. This is why the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, will attend a meeting today to answer questions and reassure people about practical...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The deal between the UK and the EU is one we can live with. It is a deal that protects Ireland's core interests in terms of the lack of any Border infrastructure, be that live animal, sanitary and phytosanitary, customs or regulatory checks or any form of tariff. What we have managed to achieve with our partners in the EU is a negotiated deal with two different British Governments, both of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I believe the British Prime Minister does want a deal. The deal he has struck with the EU is fair from an Irish perspective regarding our priorities in these negotiations. Northern Ireland has a unique set of circumstances. As part of the UK, it is leaving the EU. It is also, however, subject to a peace agreement that is 21 years old. We all know the complexities and vulnerabilities...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The east-west future will be determined on the basis of the future trading agreement. There is a stated objective in the political declaration of a tariff-free, quota-free trading arrangement, which I will work towards achieving. For that to be achieved, however, the EU will, of course, insist on level playing field issues, which are mentioned specifically, whether those are environmental...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: I do not think producing a robust action plan to deliver on the targets we need to meet by 2030 is in any way hypocritical. We now have a Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, who he is leading the argument on what Ireland needs to do in this respect and, more important, how we are going to get that done. That will require all the relevant Departments,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The plan also recognises that gas will be, in all likelihood, a transition fuel for the foreseeable future. As we make that transition, however, we have to ensure we also have energy security. That is something completely ignored by Deputy Boyd Barrett over and over again. What we have is a robust and tested plan. All of the independent commentary on our climate action plan has, by and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: Nonsense.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is difficult to have a rational debate with somebody when he or she does not want to see the facts. If the Deputy wants to look at what we are doing to have warmer homes and cheaper energy bills, since 2016 we have increased the funding available for home upgrades threefold. That is the first point.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: In 2020 an allocation of €146 million, a €29 million increase on the figure for last year, will be used to upgrade 24,000 homes and businesses, yet the Deputy is saying we are doing nothing. With reference to the Shannon liquefied natural gas, LNG, plant - it is important to make this point because the Deputy does not want to hear it because it suits him to misrepresent the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has indicated that he will carry out a comprehensive energy security review which will also consider scientifically from whom and where fossil fuels are sourced during the transition to having a carbon neutral economy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are doing all of what the Deputy is suggesting we are not doing. We are applying the science and rationale-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----as opposed to the politics Deputy Boyd Barrett brings to these debates. It is hypocrisy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: All I can say is we have provided in the budget for next year for an extra 1,000 gardaí. That is a significant increase. We have seen repeatedly, year after year, significant increases in Garda numbers across the country.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Oct 2019)

Simon Coveney: Approval to draft the heads of the Bill was given in by the Government in July and the drafting process is ongoing. We are anxious to introduce the Bill as quickly as we can, but we need to get it right.