Results 32,221-32,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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: On a point of order, in my note, I had amendments Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together but I can speak to the others as well. We could separate them if it is easier.

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 am in the hands of the Acting Chairman.

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 disagree at all with that principle. In respect of amendments Nos. 34 to 36, inclusive, this issue was addressed quite extensively in the Dáil last night. The Office of the Attorney General advises that remote-electronic consultation is implicitly included in the Mental Health Act 2001 and the amendments proposed in this Bill.Accordingly, the Attorney General's office advised...

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: In response to amendment No. 39, the form of report can be dealt with operationally by the commission and does not need to be set out in legislation. The Attorney General's office advises that remote or electronic consultation is implicitly included in the existing Mental Health Act 2001 and, accordingly, the Attorney General's office advises against including explicit reference to remote or...

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: We are dealing with two slightly separate issues. First is the concern that Senators understandably have that one person is simply making decisions about patients without any other input. That is not what is being proposed. The note I have regards clinical input. Before making a renewal order, the responsible treating consultant psychiatrist examines the patient to determine if he or she...

Reinstatement of Written Parliamentary Questions: Motion (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order 43 and until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, Questions under Standing Order 50(2)— (a) where put down before 11 a.m. on Tuesday 5th May, 2020, and not previously replied to, shall be replied to on Wednesday 13th May, 2020, and (b) otherwise, until 15th July, 2020— (i) must reach the Clerk not later than 11 a.m....

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I welcome this opportunity to update Members of the House on the significant developments that have taken place over recent months in respect of Brexit, a process whose pace has not slackened in recent weeks and months, despite the unprecedented global Covid-19 crisis. The withdrawal agreement provides the basis for the immediate way ahead. It has put in place the transition period that...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are some good questions there and I will try and answer them as directly as I can. The prospects for the next round of negotiations, on the basis of the evidence so far, are not good. Now that the Prime Minister is healthy again and making decisions, we must hope that he will instruct his negotiating team, through David Frost, to ensure that the negotiations on this matter, which...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will try to answer some of the other questions when I am on my feet again.

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I suspect the same questions may come up again and I will try to answer some of the ones that were asked.

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will come back to the Deputy on the last point. It is clearly a serious issue and we want to, and will, ensure childcare provision is made available for healthcare workers. If we have to intervene, then I am sure it will be looked at as a matter of urgency. This issue has been discussed for long enough now and it needs to be resolved. On the fishing industry, I was formerly a...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: What I am saying is fairly self-evident. We certainly need to try to achieve the right outcome and, in my view, more time is likely to be needed.

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have four and a half minutes so there is no excuse for me not to give answers. Climate change and environmental standards are a key part of the level playing field ask on behalf of the EU. A level playing field means ensuring that there is fair competition in the UK and in the EU if there is going to be free trade between both, be that in regard to workers' rights, environmental...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Paris Agreement is part of it. I will try now to respond to some other questions I did not get to earlier. On the structure and the planning for a no-trade deal Brexit here, it will be a matter for the new Government but I suspect it will be managed predominantly by the Taoiseach's office in partnership with the office of the Tánaiste, as it was in the past in the build up to...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: On solidarity, the answer is "Yes". I have good reason to believe that, having spoken to Michel Barnier and others across the EU. As chief negotiator, Michel Barnier has done an extraordinary amount of travelling in order to meet, talk to and persuade people that the approach we have taken on Brexit is the right one and that it is based on unity of purpose and solidarity. If that...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: We have spoken to the UK Government and we have spoken to many on the EU side. Let me be clear with the House, because it is important to be, that there is no hidden solution that will pop up in a few weeks' time. The UK Government's position is firm. Unless and until that changes, and we have not seen any evidence to suggest it is going to, and I want to be honest with everybody about...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: By the way, of course we will have a democratic debate on any decision we take on Brexit because it is so fundamental-----

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: -----just as we did previously also. I do not know how many times I have stood up here and answered questions on Brexit and preparedness and I will be willing to do so in the future if I am lucky enough to hold office. Of course we will do that. That is what engaging with Brexit stakeholders is all about, to try to inform these decisions in as broad and as democratic a way as possible.

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: What was the question?

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: Sorry. I have spoken to Michael Gove on this issue. I have told him that I cannot understand their reluctance to accept this. In my view, as someone who is involved in the process, it was understood and it was a non-issue, quite frankly. It has now become an issue and I can only assume it is because politics have been created around this issue. We have to find a way to diffuse it and...