Results 31,921-31,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and its EU partners closely follow legislative developments in EU Member States that could impact negatively on fundamental EU principles, including those relating to the operation of the rule of law, as well as freedom of expression. In relation to Poland, the European Commission activated its rule of law mechanism in January 2016 and formally triggered the Article 7 procedure on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest. We have concerns about issues relating to the rule of law in Hungary in the area of civic space, media freedom and the judiciary.   We have concerns over the civic space available for NGOs to continue to operate in Hungary. These concerns have been exacerbated by the passage of legislation aimed at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the elections that took place in Bolivia on 20 October 2019 were followed by reports of violence and excessive force by the authorities. On 10 November last, the Organisation of American States (OAS) released a preliminary report indicating that it found clear irregularities, and that it could not verify the result of the October elections. It concluded that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: There have been far too many deaths in Gaza during this latest outbreak of violence, including, tragically, the deaths of several children. In the conduct of military operations, constant care must be taken to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects. All feasible precautions must be taken to avoid, and in any event to minimize, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The current crisis in Venezuela continues to be of deep concern and is having a worsening impact on the Venezuelan people, whose needs are acute. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 25% of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with serious health and medical needs and a severe lack of access to basic goods, services and medicines...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade examines all formal complaints made to its HR Unit notwithstanding the category they fall under. Complaints in relation to bullying and sexual harassment are addressed under the Dignity at Work:  An Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Irish Civil Service policy, which came into operation in 2015. In circumstances...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department has dismissed six employees since 2016. Four employees were not established at the end of their probationary contract. Two employees were dismissed following a disciplinary process. It would not be appropriate for my Department to provide additional details as so doing could potentially identify the individuals in question. My Department did not suspend any employees in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that the applicant referred to became an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Birth Register in August of this year. My Department will be in contact with the family to assist them with making a passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has made no expenditure on public relations, promotion and advertising for the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and Project Ireland 2040.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has spent €4,992.19 to date this year at headquarters on bottled water.  The Department has a contractual commitment to bottled drinking water until 2021 for two of twelve HQ buildings, at which stage drinking water provision will be switched to mains supply.  The cost of the contracts to-date in 2019 was €2,803.27.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department takes a proactive approach to the publication of official information and regularly updates its Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This provides information about the Department, including activities and policies. The scheme includes links to relevant pages on our official website. My Department is committed to making available as much information as possible as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  Examples of where my Department has advertised during 2019 have included public information campaigns in relation to the Online Passport Renewals Service and on the theme of ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’. Details of such...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister has said many times that he recognises the role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of health service reform and modernisation. Recognising that critical role, the Minister is committed to root-and-branch review of the pharmacy contract in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I do not know whether the Deputy knows it or not but the Minister responded to a Topical Issue on this matter raised by Deputy Brassil yesterday. I would suggest that Deputy Calleary have a look at the detailed response given by the Minister. I know only too well how hard pharmacies work. My office on the main street in Carrigaline is within 20 yd. of two large pharmacies that I know well....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The background to this is that, between 2014 and 2019, compensation of the order of €47 million was paid annually to local authorities in lieu of commercial rates from Irish Water. Irish Water is liable for commercial rates from 2020 and the need for compensation in lieu of commercial rates ceases. The apportionment of the valuation of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am sure the Deputy knows that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has met Waterford Oireachtas Members on this issue in recent weeks. Exchequer funding for local authorities has increased in recent years, including the allocation for next year for Waterford City and County Council of just over €3 million. This is an increase of just under...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: One of the first things the Government did from a healthcare perspective, within weeks of taking office, was to try to get agreement across all parties in the House to an approach to healthcare that would be consistent regardless of who was in government over the next ten years. We are committed to this process. Like other parties in the House, Deputy Kelly's party signed up and committed...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Advertising is regulated. If people are making claims that are not accurate, there need to be consequences. I accept that. I also accept we have to have a public health system that delivers the best outcomes for complex healthcare in all areas. We cannot have a situation where public hospitals are substandard compared with private hospitals. That is not acceptable. The whole point of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Every time the Deputy takes to his feet in the House, he seems to be calling for a new protest over something. I understand the frustrations and anger over the housing crisis. They are very genuine. I served in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and know this only too well. There are far too many people who are homeless. There are far too many families and children,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is not me who is saying it. It is in the statistics.