Results 32,201-32,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report mentioned by the Deputy. While I have not discussed the details of this specific report with ESB, I wrote to them in September 2019 requesting further information regarding their sourcing of coal from Cerrejón. I received a response in October 2019 in which the ESB outlined a recent assessment of the mine carried out by Bettercoal. Bettercoal is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Officials at my Department met with Berta Zúñiga Cáceres during her recent visit to Ireland. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the challenging situation for human rights and environmental defenders in Honduras. Officials also expressed condolences on behalf of my Department to Ms Zúñiga Cáceres on the tragic death of her mother, Berta Cáceres,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's position on settlement expansion, related infrastructure development, demolition of Palestinian homes and other buildings, and forced removal of Palestinians from their homes, is extremely clear. For example, I made a statement in November 2019 reaffirming our long held position, as follows: “Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements remains clear and unchanged....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. The circumstances in which this person was killed are unclear, and therefore I will not comment on the events leading to their death. However, the apparent manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces removed the body of the deceased, as shown in a video and in images widely circulated on social and traditional media, is deeply...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned by the ongoing political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which is having an ever-worsening impact on the population and on neighbouring countries, as over 4.5 million people have left the country since 2015. I continue to believe that only a peaceful, democratic solution to this crisis will offer the people of Venezuela a return to stability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (5 Mar 2020)

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

An Bille Sláinte (Caomhnú agus Cosaint agus Bearta Éigeandála Eile Ar Mhaithe Le Leas an Phobail), 2020: An Dara Céim - Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Second Stage (19 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank everybody for their contributions. We are living through times that people will be writing about in the distant future as moments of challenge, change, trauma and tragedy in Ireland. As the Taoiseach said earlier this week, we are in the preparation phase, in many ways. While the virus is spreading relatively slowly today, that will pick up pace and pose enormous challenges for...

An Bille Sláinte (Caomhnú agus Cosaint agus Bearta Éigeandála Eile Ar Mhaithe Le Leas an Phobail), 2020: An Dara Céim - Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Second Stage (19 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Yes, after the passing of the Second Stage, of course.

Seanad: An Bille Sláinte (Caomhnú agus Cosaint agus Bearta Éigeandála eile ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail), 2020: An Dara Céim - Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Second Stage (20 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Yesterday in Dáil Éireann we spoke about the truly unprecedented circumstances we are currently living through in Ireland and indeed worldwide. The global figures are stark, and as of yesterday in this country we have 557 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Sadly, yesterday we also had another death, and I know that this House will wish to extend its sympathies to the family and friends...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: An Dara Céim - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: We are here today to take part in one of the last acts of the 25th Seanad. It is extraordinary that the legislation this Seanad will pass in its final hours will be among the most important ever passed in this House. The provisions before the House could never have been imagined as necessary even a few months ago. Who could have predicted that we would be challenged to legislate in the face...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: An Dara Céim - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank all the Senators for their constructive comments. Even when concerns are expressed, it is constructive criticism. I appreciate that and we will take it on board. Like others, I express condolences to Senator Ruane in respect of her loss. On the issues raised by Fianna Fáil and others relating to the availability of PPE, there is a global shortage of PPE for healthcare...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: An Dara Céim - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to say we are making good progress in Australia and Peru, two of the pressure points so far. Senator Higgins is right, of course. Whatever challenges we face here in protecting our citizens, reinforcing the health infrastructure and the staff behind it, we have to ask the question as to how on earth some countries, with extremely limited resources and effectively no health...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: An Dara Céim - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to give an answer on the hoof here that I cannot follow through on. I have heard what the Senator has had to say and I will try to come back to him on it.

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: An Dara Céim - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I know the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, is here now and we can move on to both Committee and Report Stages without further delay. I thank Members for their contributions.

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: The HSE and the national action plan have identified retired healthcare professionals and those who no longer work in the public health system as a key cohort who can be mobilised to assist during this emergency. Some of these persons are members of the regulated professions who have let their registrations lapse, including doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists and healthcare and...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will, and I will also respond to some of the other points when I sum up. I can assure Senator Reilly that the State has made no decision at any point that would allow a building site that is not safe for people who are working on it to continue to stay open. We want to ensure that we can help employers, be they on building sites or elsewhere, where work continues to go on in a way that is...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Normally I would have quite long responses to some of the amendments but in this case a very clear recommendation from the Department says that the legislation already provides adequate protection on the vindication of rights of patients. I assume the Senator is trying to ensure a belt and braces approach to make sure we have regard to the vindication of the rights of patients while...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: To clarify, are we on amendments Nos. 34, 35 and 36?

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to stray into the golfing area but the national sporting bodies are giving good guidance to their members and their members should take that guidance seriously. That is all I will say on it. That is not to say that people should not be able to take exercise, which I accept is good for mental health. Sporting bodies will have consulted and will be making responsible decisions...

Seanad: An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19) 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps I could close it by saying that I am satisfied that section 16 does the job it is intended to do.