Results 31,761-31,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, holds personal information in respect of passport applicants for the purpose of processing applications for passport by such individuals. The Passport Service’s legal basis for processing personal data is provided for by Section 8(1) of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. As a Data Controller, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: At the end of September 2019, my Department employed 1611 Civil Servants, of whom 1455 were full-time staff and 156 were part-time staff. I can confirm that no Civil Servant in my Department is paid at or below the minimum wage rate of pay.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains concerned about the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang region. We and our EU partners take these reports very seriously and have raised our concerns with our Chinese counterparts, in bilateral and multilateral contexts, on a consistent basis. At the multilateral level, Ireland was among 23 countries that joined a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) currently operates in a number of locations in Ireland and in over 80 locations overseas. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure. In order to achieve best value for money, a Central Procurement Section operates to co-ordinate all contracting activity and to promote best practice in procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recent civil unrest in Chile. My Department has been receiving updates on the developing situation from our new Embassy in Santiago. As the Deputy will be aware, protests about price increases for the metro service in Santiago became increasingly violent over the weekend beginning Friday, 18 October, leading the Government to declare a state of emergency. This was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Nov 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs both in HQ and in our Embassies abroad are continuously engaged on Brexit related matters. I receive briefings from and meet with these officials on the wide range of Brexit issues on a regular basis. My officials and I also remain in on-going contact with representatives from other EU Member States and the EU Institutions on a range of EU...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am grateful for the opportunity to update Members of the Seanad this evening. Since I was last here we have witnessed some important and positive developments in the Brexit process. On 17 October, the European Union and United Kingdom agreed a revised withdrawal agreement and political declaration on future EU-UK relationship. As I have said before in this House, we were content with the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have to be conscious that the outcome of Brexit remains uncertain. As a Government, country and Parliament, we are still trying to plan for multiple potential outcomes. No deal is now far less likely, but it is certainly still a possibility. The intensive work on no-deal Brexit planning remains very much banked and ready to be used if necessary. We are now focusing on what we had...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have said on numerous occasions during this process that I regret that one of the consequences of the Brexit discussions has been a real straining in the relationship between unionism and the Government. We are anxious to try to repair that relationship. We also want to continue to maintain a strong relationship with nationalists in Northern Ireland and, indeed, all political parties...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is a major priority for me. The outgoing Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, has played an important and constructive role in working with me in trying to do that. We are trying to do that, however, against a background that is nearly making it impossible. I refer to the pressures of Brexit and the polarisation that has emerged from the Brexit outcomes and...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: They should feel that they can talk about that without being accused of having ulterior motives, being too aggressive or being linked to the violence of the past. That goes for both sides. It is not helpful to call for a border poll right now. That has increased pressure on what is a pressurised political environment. I have said that and I think my perspective is understood. We have to...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Regarding British-Irish relations, I have said previously, and I am not the only person here that this applies to, that in many ways I am a product of Anglo-Irish or British-Irish relations. I refer to where I have been to university, my family make-up and where my brother and my sister have developed their careers in British cities.That is the case for so many Irish families. There is a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is appropriate that I begin by mentioning that one of my brothers works in RTÉ and has been involved in the restructuring plans that have been publicised today. It is important for me to say that for the record. In my view, public service broadcasting is more important than it has ever been. Independent objective reporting of domestic and international affairs is absolutely...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, only received the final report from RTÉ this morning.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that RTÉ was not expecting to have to deal with this issue today. Dee Forbes spoke on today's edition of "Morning Ireland" and explained the frustration within RTÉ at the news being leaked and the subject of a report on the front page of The Irish Times such that more than 1,800 RTÉ employees read in the newspaper of decisions about which they should have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which has understandably been a topic of debate this week and last, given the horrific intimidation and brutal kidnapping, assault and torture of Kevin Lunney. I reiterate the support of the Government and the House for Kevin and his family and, indeed, all who work in the broader Quinn group. I too was a little surprised that Deputy Micheál...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: We now have an armed support unit in Cavan. On the calls of Fianna Fáil and others for a cross-Border task force, the joint agency task force was established by the Fresh Start agreement signed and negotiated by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, who was then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is now being implemented and is led by senior officers of An Garda Síochána,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will address the resources issue first. The Border region has been prioritised by the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality. We have seen more Garda vehicles, more Garda personnel, more civilians working alongside gardaí in stations and in administration, more Garda reservists, and the setting up of an armed support unit for An Garda Síochána. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know it is a very important issue for many households in different parts of the country. The challenge with home help hours and home supports is a very personal one for many households. The Government is committing significant increases in resources to provide more home care hours all the time. A €26 million fund has been made available...