Results 32,081-32,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. This is an issue that has been raised this week by Deputy Murphy O'Mahony and Senator Tim Lombard as well. The vast majority of post-primary school capacity is not an issue and schools can enrol all pupils that are seeking a school place. Where issues exist, Department of Education and Skills officials actively engage with all the relevant parties to resolve them and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have already answered "Yes" to the Deputy's question. I know Bandon well. It is a great town and we should not be talking it down. The Government is investing in Bandon and will continue to do so. There is a particular problem in regard to post-primary school places. The Government has committed to investing in a permanent solution but it will not provide significant accommodation...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am slow to comment on the decision of any one individual to leave his or her job. I do not know the circumstances around that. If a vacancy is created, it will be advertised quickly so that we can get somebody else in that role, providing important services. I do not want to go into the details around why one person has decided to step down. My understanding is that he is a very good...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am not sure that the Deputy's legislation will actually do that. I refer the Deputy to the detailed parliamentary question that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe answered on this issue last week which is a useful piece of information. I repeat the point that whether one is a financing agency which has purchased a distressed loan book, or a bank in Ireland, one is subject to the same codes and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government does not set interest rates.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: These loans have been sold already.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy's legislation does not solve this.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will speak to the Minister. The reason I responded in that way to Deputy Calleary is because I only learned about this issue this morning on my way in. In the case of something like this, it is important that one gives an informed response. If one does not have the information, it is difficult to do that. Clearly, where families have children under the care of an individual who is...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for this question. As people will know, I have a lot of interest in this issue. I was in Israel and Palestine last week and met all the of the key political players there, from the Israeli Prime Minister to the Palestinian President. I subsequently asked for and got a debate at the Foreign Affairs Council, FAC, this week on how the European Union can collectively protect...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The RSA have a job to save people's lives and we should support it in doing it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government wants to apply the recommended increase for the minimum wage and subject to getting clarity on Brexit, we will do that. We always said that we will follow the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to introduce what I believe is the fifth increase in the minimum wage over the last eight to nine years.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will ask the Minister to revert directly to the Deputy, who I know takes an interest in the area. My understanding is that the Minister has legal advice that suggests some protection for birth parents and the constitutional right to privacy must be reflected in the legislation, which she is trying to balance with the rights of adopted people to accessing information-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: They do have rights, which is what the Minister is trying to legislate for-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----to ensure we maximise the application of those rights. She has not thrown out the legislation.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, answered a question on the matter yesterday. A total of 90% of the payments have been paid to date. Having been Minister at that Department, I know that if there is a delay in respect of a small percentage of payments, there is a normally good reason for that. The Minister of State has agreed to follow up on the matter to try to ensure that the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have responded positively to the announcements of a new EU green deal. It will require a response from every EU member state that is more ambitious than anything we have planned for, but that is the way the world is going and we need to follow that. Having said that, rural Ireland and agriculture need to transition in the context of the climate challenge, but can do so and grow and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: My note says that the review is ongoing. The Department of Education and Skills is committed to reviewing the ex gratiascheme in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. Given the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved, careful deliberation is required before proposals can be finalised and brought to the Government. I will raise this matter with the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: We both know that the beef sector needs to change. That must be brought about through the beef forum or the beef task force. It would be very helpful if all players were involved in contributing to the beef task force as a way of ensuring this country's beef sector has a sustainable future. Dealing with retailers is not as straightforward as the Deputy might suggest. Retailers purchase...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that the Bill is on Committee Stage. The legislative process is under way.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is exactly what we are doing. An additional investment of €52 million is being made to bring the total funding for home supports next year to €487 million. That will deliver 19.2 million hours of home support in 2020. This represents an increase of 1 million hours on this year's target. Any regional management issues that are encountered as these funds are allocated can...