Results 35,881-35,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has already issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: This relates to an application for a visa to the United States, for which the Department of Foreign Affairs plays no role. The Department's Consular Directorate has engaged with the Deputy's office accordingly.  There are no current issues with the appointment system for the Consulate General of Ireland in New York.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has made contact with the applicant and has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application. A response to the Deputy's correspondence of 18 October 2021 relating to this application has also been issued.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department had the following total spends on advertisements including traditional forms of advertisement and online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. Year Total Amounts by Year 2011 €42,143.80 2012 €50,334.20 2013 €96,882.62 2014 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that the Air Corps utilises their own technicians for the maintenance of its aircraft for both daily maintenance inputs and more in-depth aircraft inspections. No money has been paid to outside agency technicians for aircraft maintenance by the Air Corps in 2020 and to date in 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (10 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: A number of factors  apply in order to calculate the hourly rate paid to enlisted maintenance technicians. Qualified maintenance technicians are paid dependent on their current point of the scale, rate of Military Service Allowance for their rank and if they are in receipt of Technician Pay for their appointment. The salary can range from the first...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: First of all, the Government is very aware of the trauma that many individuals and families continue to go through in the context of this issue. The families will get to see a full report. We want that to happen as soon as possible. The HSE commissioned the national independent review panel, NIRP, to carry out a review of abuse allegations at a HSE-provided residential service for...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Once the issue was brought to her attention in November 2020, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, sought an urgent update from the HSE on these matters and has engaged with it extensively since then to reach a point where the full findings can be published. The Minister of State met the families that wanted to meet her on a one-to-one basis last week. The Minister of State has also been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I know that given his previous experience as a Minister, the issue is something that he knows a lot about. I was in Glasgow yesterday with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who, people should be glad to hear, has been drawn into serious negotiations on issues such as climate finance and so on, in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: No, I do not think we are but we are at risk of losing investment if we cannot provide the assurances that investors need. If we look at the investment flow that has come in over recent years, through IDA Ireland work predominantly and elsewhere, it has been a very strong pipeline of investment. The strength of foreign direct investment here and its expansion have been hugely helpful...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy and I have had this debate many times in the House. He is right on one thing. Overly relying on rental supports is not a long to medium term solution for the housing challenges we face. Supply is the solution, with more social housing, more affordable housing, more targeted and tailor-made solutions for people who need housing and who want to own and pay for their own homes but...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is looking at the limits issue. There are areas, particularly in the capital, where rental prices are significantly higher than HAP can support. I recognise this. It is an issue that is being looked at. To correct the record, it was not policy, either for me or my predecessor, to not build large numbers of social housing homes. It was the opposite, in fact....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to the Deputy’s last question is “Yes”. The Government has confidence in the Office of the Planning Regulator and in the individual referred to by the Deputy. The role of the Office of the Planning Regulator is clear. This office ensures that county development plans, as they are developed, are consistent with national planning framework. If...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have not read the judgment. I said I was familiar with the case and the issues around it as are others in this House. I have spoken to the Minister about it at different points because it is an issue that has been ongoing for quite a period of time. It involves both Cork City Council and Cork County Council and an ambition to develop a big new retail centre in east Cork.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Yes, if it is a landmark case, we will learn from it. That is what the courts are there for.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Cork County Council felt aggrieved on this issue and took a court case. We now have a judgment and we need to act on it. That is how the system works.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: That does not mean that the role of the Office of the Planning Regulator is not still an important one. It is. If mistakes were made here, they need to be corrected and we need to learn lessons from that. I do not want to comment on the judgment or its text because I have not read it yet but, as I said, I am familiar with the overall issue here and the tension and differences of views...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am sure there will be an opportunity to ask the Minister his rationale in the context of these appointments. My understanding is that both of these individuals are eminently qualified for the job they are being asked to do. I am sure the Minister will give full details of the basis of that decision and how it came about.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: There is no doubt that there significant reform is under way. I will ask the Minister for Justice to come back to the Deputy directly rather than me giving him a stock answer now.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: That is a very detailed proposal. If the Deputy wants to put it in writing or give me a call afterwards, I will follow up properly on it.