Results 34,301-34,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 73 together. The position of the Government with respect to the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland has been clear and consistent for a number of years now. The Stormont House Agreement framework was reached collectively by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations. To be completely accurate, the UUP did not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: On Ballymurphy, the significance of the report that was released today should not be underestimated. This happened over a three-day period almost five decades ago. The families involved are representative of many families across Northern Ireland from different backgrounds and communities who have been tortured for decades because they have not been believed, understood or listened to and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: For legacy to work, the approach must be built on consensus. That is the real challenge here for politicians to deliver. We must work closely with the British Government and work with all parties in Northern Ireland, so that we can bring all the communities in Northern Ireland with us. If we are going to establish the truth, people will have to come forward and speak about things which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this important issue this evening. Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, sometimes known as the Istanbul Convention. It is a timely reminder of the impact of Covid-19, particularly regarding the increasing incidences of domestic violence against women...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I hope it is clear from this question session that the protection of human rights is central to Irish foreign policy. The challenge, of course, is in being effective and not just saying the right things but actually being an agent for change in countries that are often a long way from here and from Europe. That is the real challenge. We must work out how to use Ireland's position within...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: First, I restate my profound concern at the overall human rights situation in Israel and Palestine. I am aware of the recent report from Human Rights Watch. As I stated earlier, the report is a lengthy and complex document and it is being reviewed by officials in my Department. Human Rights Watch is a respected NGO, and I value the role it and other civil society organisations referred to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Finally, our approach is rooted in the illegality of Israel’s occupation and the right of Palestinians to self-determination. Restrictions imposed on Palestinians undermine the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a right which is at the heart of the two-state solution

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: We are not complicit in this ethnic cleansing. I do not accept those terms, but we are not. We are standing up and speaking out against what is happening. We are and have been all day-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy talks about actions-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy must understand how sanctions work. Ireland does not have the legal capacity to introduce sanctions. We have had this debate repeatedly regarding the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. We cannot legally do that. The EU has competence in trade issues, and it is not up to Ireland to make its own decisions. I am not going to do something which is not...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: That is what I am interested in.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy does not want to hear this, but I am interested in trying to use Ireland's privileged position on the UN Security Council, as we have been doing this evening, to try to get a debate tomorrow to ensure we can raise our concerns where it matters and where we are likely to get a real dividend, initially in respect of-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----a ceasefire and then a process that I hope in the months ahead-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----can protect the interests of both parties.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 59, 68, 70, 77, 88, 89, 90, 91, 96, 99, 103, 104, 108, 109 and 111 together. Thank you Deputies, I welcome the opportunity to update you on the scaling up of operations by the Passport Service. The Passport Service maintained operations throughout the pandemic, notwithstanding the fact that the processing of passports requires physical attendance on site...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to note that technical level contacts between the EU and UK have been ongoing in recent weeks with the goal of resolving a number of outstanding issues around implementation of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. These contacts are taking place following the agreement last month between Vice President Šefcovic and Lord Frost to facilitate further, intensified...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 110 together. I have been clear in my engagement with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of the commitment of this Government to advancing a Two-State solution, in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland fully supports the principles agreed by the EU in 2016 to guide our interaction with Russia. In the long-term, a strong and stable relationship between the EU and Russia is a desirable strategic goal. Our relationship with Russia is a vital one, and we must keep diplomatic channels of dialogue open. Regrettably, Russia has chosen to isolate itself. The actions in Ukraine, Syria, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 114 together. My thoughts, and the thoughts of the Government, are with the family and friends of Noah Donohoe at this extremely distressing time, and as they contend with such a profound personal loss. The case of Noah’s death is currently being investigated through a coronial inquest, as well as a corporate manslaughter case against the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The selection of a new party leader is a matter for the DUP, and it will be for the party's new leadership to put forward its nominee to serve as the new First Minister. In any scenario, we will of course continue to seek to have a good and constructive relationship with the DUP and all the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, based on the implementation of existing agreements. As...