Results 361-380 of 40,856 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: It was not in line with the outcome of the oral hearing.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: An Bord Pleanála appointed the chairman of the oral hearing, who outlined 14 clear reasons the proposal should be rejected. When Deputies on the Government side argue that the Government has no role in this regard — when they claim that An Bord Pleanála is an independent authority that was established to make non-political decisions — they are talking rubbish. An Bord Pleanála has...

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: No, we should not.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: We should change Government policy.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: We should give guidelines to An Bord Pleanála to consider when it is looking at incinerators in the future. It should consider the Government policy of the day in this area, but that policy should not be in favour of incineration.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: Fine Gael's policy on incineration is absolutely clear. When Deputy Noonan, as party leader, visited the Cork Harbour area of my constituency five and a half years ago, he launched a policy document that had been written by Deputy Clune, who was quoted earlier and who is an engineer with knowledge of this sector. The document clearly stated that——

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: Give me a break.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: The document in question, which remains an expression of Fine Gael's policy in this respect, states that incineration should not be part of the mix of waste disposal strategies. Many of us had great hopes for the new Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this issue. If he states tomorrow morning, as he has the power to do, that the Government has changed its policy...

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: That is the point. We know, as a result of our experience in Cork, that the meetings which are held in the Poolbeg area, at which certain public representatives shed crocodile tears with the residents, do not really matter a damn at the end of the day. We won the argument when the oral hearing took place at An Bord Pleanála level. I was not at the hearing but I know many people who were,...

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: It does not matter how much activism there is within the constituency. If the Ministers who comprise the Government take a policy decision that incinerators must go ahead nationally, An Bord Pleanála is a convenient vehicle for seeing that through. That is why An Bord Pleanála should not and cannot be given that excuse on this occasion. If the Green Party is to make a real difference in...

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: When the Government was formed, I wished the Green Party well. I meant that and I still mean it. The Green Party has an opportunity to clarify and change Government policy on a specific issue. In 2002, it had a Deputy elected in my constituency on the basis of his stance on this issue. The Green Party can make a fundamental difference to the planning decision that will be taken within a...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (4 Jul 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the facilities in Irish international airports to deal with pets, specifically dogs, being taken out of the country or being brought back into the country (details supplied); if animals with genuine pet passports can be dealt with adequately; and the cost implications for the animal owners. [19212/07]

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: This is an embarrassment.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: Address the motion.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: I would not rise to him.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: That is not the point.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: If Fine Gael stands for anything in terms of standards in public office, it had no choice but to table this motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach. Despite the direction in which Ministers are trying to steer the debate, the essence of the motion does not relate to the Taoiseach's handling of his brief in respect of issues such as Northern Ireland, the EU Presidency and the economy, or his...

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: The tribunals would have more work done if they were being given straight answers.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: That is because it does not draw conclusions until the end.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Simon Coveney: Was that Deputy O'Dea?