Results 33,381-33,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Deputy on many things in respect of Ireland's role in the world and being a voice advocating for human rights, peace and peacekeeping. We do advocate for all of those things. These are some of the reasons we fought so hard for a place on the UN Security Council, beginning 1 January. The priorities we have set for our term on the Security Council are built around peace,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: With respect, the way for Ireland to maximise its influence to promote peace is to build relationships with countries all over the world that are involved in conflict so that we can try to influence the decisions they make. That is how the world works when it comes to international politics, as opposed to countries taking stands that may sound good domestically but which get nothing done...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 40 together. Negotiations on the EU-UK future relationship have entered an even more intensive phase since 21 October, with negotiating teams working daily to close the gaps between the two sides. Due to a member of one of the negotiating teams falling ill with Covid-19, talks at chief negotiator level were temporarily suspended late last week. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will address Deputy Ó Cuív's questions first. I will then respond on fishing, although I imagine Deputy Ó Cuív is interested in fishing too in the context of Ros an Mhíl and other ports. First, we want a deal. That is absolutely the case. We have been working towards that end for four and a half years now. Since the UK made the decision to leave the European...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am interested in fish, first and foremost, and in keeping the fishing industry intact, as opposed to relying on compensation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The fishing question is about access, quota share and fleet displacement. We are trying to ensure our fishing interests are protected in all these areas. The danger is that the conversation moves to compensation as opposed to protection of fishing interests and access to quota share. I have tried to resist that throughout this process. First and foremost, the Government and I are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 47 and 54 together. I thank the Deputy and I share his concerns. I outlined in my earlier reply the state of play on efforts to reach agreement on the MFF and the next generation EU recovery package. I am confident that the German Presidency will ensure that clear rule-of-law conditionality is retained. A prolonged delay in releasing funds to vital...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I could not agree more with the Deputy. We just spoke about the potential disruption of Brexit in the context of a deal or no deal, particularly in areas such as fishing and agriculture. We have a €5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve waiting to be allocated and Ireland is certainly going to be first in line for that funding because of the levels of disruption with which we may have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The European Union is much more than a Single Market and an economic opportunity for its member states. It is a political union, where there is agreed pooled sovereignty in certain areas, a value system and a vein running through all member states ensuring certain standards are maintained and protected that are core to democracy. It is a value system which allows the European Union to be a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 53 together. This is somewhat linked to one of the questions I answered earlier. I will happily focus on the UN element of it. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for the European Council to consider this matter at such an early stage in the process. The appropriate Council working group is engaged on the matter. Ireland...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: As I stated previously, the EU made a statement on behalf of its member states at the sixth session of the working group, and raised a number of specific concerns on the draft text. While individual national statements can be important, in this context an EU statement on behalf of the 27 member states carries much more influence. Ireland, alongside fellow member states, helped to shape a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Council Meetings (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are two issues here. One is that we have to get our house in order domestically in respect of business and human rights. I answered questions earlier on what we are doing on that score. We have committed in the programme for Government to review what we had been doing for the past number of years so we can be a credible international contributor to the debate on this issue. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 24 and 27 together. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. Protecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy, as I have said in my answers to most questions. Ireland has consistently supported women human rights defenders and continually advocates for the freedom of all civil society actors to operate in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I appreciate the concerns of colleagues about this case and others that have been mentioned. As I said earlier, officials from my Department spoke to the Saudi ambassador to Ireland on 9 November to set out our concerns about the ongoing detention of Ms al-Hathloul and the conditions under which she is being held, including the restrictions on visits from her family and other concerns, some...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have heard what people have said. I am familiar with the letter and our response to it. I will certainly take on board the Deputies' concerns. I will talk to my team and try to do something as impactful as possible to ensure we impact on the decisions taken regarding the case in Saudi Arabia that has been raised today.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention. I was deeply dismayed to learn of the demolition by Israeli authorities on 3 November of more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14, 23, 30, 46 and 56 together. The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with the US Administration and political leaders. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (CP) defines common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, and sets out eight risk assessment criteria to be taken into consideration when assessing military goods applications. These criteria include respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, internal situation in the destination country and risk of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Post transition, operators will still be able to move goods across the UK Landbridge but the way they use the Landbridge will change. The UK's accession to the Common Transit Convention (CTC) is welcome. It allows EU goods to move under transit through Great Britain without undergoing full import and export formalities on entry and exit. However, to avail of the benefits of the Convention,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's relationship with the US is built on a deep foundation of ancestral ties and decades of close political, diplomatic and economic engagement. Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government,as wellin our Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025. With each successive administration in the White House and each...