Results 32,341-32,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have answered that question a number of times and the US ambassador is in no doubt as to the Irish Government's position on this issue. I speak to him regularly and have a very good relationship with him. I expect that I will speak to him in respect of these and other matters in the coming days. I would not like that to be confused with the view which some people may have that the US...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have not. If the Deputy wants to send me details of the concerns about that matter, he can do so. I speak to my Polish counterpart on a fairly regular basis about FAC meetings, although that has been somewhat limited in recent months because we have not been meeting in person. I know him very well. If there are LGBT exclusion zones in Poland, as the Deputy said, I expect that European...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: There will be a conversation about the multi-annual financial framework and the position the Government takes on it at Friday's Cabinet meeting. On the €750 stimulus fund, which has not yet been signed off on by EU leaders, Ireland was one of eight countries which advocated for the equivalent of a corona bond so that we could essentially create a collective borrowing strength across...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: As already stated, the Government will discuss the matter on Friday. I am not going to predetermine the outcome of that discussion. The view of the Government on digital taxation within the EU without getting an agreement on an approach to digital taxation globally is that it would be a mistake. We will consider any proposals that come forward with an open mind and try to be constructive....

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Nobody should pretend that the €750 billion solves the problem for the EU. Every individual country needs to make decisions for itself. We have extraordinary challenges in the next couple of years to budget appropriately and get the balance right between managing deficits, providing stimulus, getting people back to work, and ensuring we retain the trust and faith of international...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: No, I will not. I have explained many times in much detail why I do not believe we can do that. I explained it to Senator Frances Black, who brought the legislation forward and for whom I have much time. I understand what she wants to achieve with the legislation, but, from a legal perspective, I do not believe that we can do what she is asking us to do. My view on the issue is backed up...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am unsure that what is needed now is to link US capitalism with the protests taking place across America. What is needed is for political and community leadership to stand up against racism and reassure those who feel they are victims of it that things will change for them. As I stated, I have a very good relationship with the US ambassador. We have the kind of relationship whereby we...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the compliments in regard to repatriation, particularly through our embassy in Washington, which got involved in a huge number of cases. With regard to his comments on the EU, the Deputy is right. While at election time we do not often get asked detailed EU institutional questions the truth is that many decisions that impact the lives of people in Ireland, whether...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. They are all good questions. On passports, we essentially have not had the Passport Express system working. Decisions were made on the basis of a significant reduction in applications and because we needed to ensure the protection of our own staff in passport offices. That is why the focus has been on getting the online process back up and running. If somebody has put...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: We will do everything we can to support the post offices.

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The arrangement regarding Shannon Airport has been in place for decades between both countries. It operates to a pretty clear protocol in terms of the conditions of the use of the airport. The Government does not have any proposals to change that. Regarding racism, the Taoiseach made comments yesterday and I made comments today. We will have an opportunity to have what I hope will be...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The state aid issue is a probing and good question in terms of how states use new flexibility around state aid. Some countries have far more available resources than others to spend in the absence of strict state aid rules. Therefore, they could potentially create competitive advantage within the Single Market. That is a concern and something we need to watch closely. I can give Deputy...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: That is fine. You were right to do it, Acting Chairman.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will understand that any questions regarding access to Irish social welfare payments abroad are a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In terms of consular assistance for citizens overseas, the Consular Directorate in my Department, in close cooperation with our Embassies and Consulates overseas, supports thousands of citizens across the world....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 18, 19, 24, 25, 29, 31, 36 and 38 together. With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together. The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. This includes in relation to freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrest, and torture in detention. Human rights issues therefore continue to constitute an important part of Ireland's engagement and dialogue with Iran. I am aware of the two cases...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Defence Action Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chairs the National Security Authority (NSA), which is an interdepartmental group and the relevant authority for the protection of EU classified information (EUCI) in the State.  In this role my Department convenes the NSA and coordinates its work across its member Departments and Agencies.  The Departments of An Taoiseach, Justice and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together. With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: While the Government engages frequently with the US Administration and US elected representatives from across Congress, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mitch O'Connell, this year. The Government has however had many opportunities to engage with high-level US officials, including during visits last year by President Trump, Vice President...