Results 38,681-38,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Recycling Policy (5 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the Department of Defence, as part of its waste management contract, has recycling procedures in place in all its buildings for the disposal of waste material through recyclable methods. This includes: The introduction of recycling stations throughout the building, consisting of: - clean recyclable waste - non-recyclable waste - compostable and glass bins To further promote...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I took careful note of the addresses of both Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the United Nations General Assembly in September. It was disheartening, but not surprising, that we heard two very different perspectives of the current state of play. At the same time, both leaders acknowledged the need to work towards a two-State solution, a point that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Can I just say, first and foremost, that Prime Minister Lapid is personally committed to a two-state solution. I met him a number of times before he became Prime Minister, when he was foreign minister. Certainly, it is my view that he is committed to that outcome. Unfortunately, the government that he has been part of for the last number of years has allowed an awful lot of actions on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I certainly think the international community needs to do more. We are trying to find ways in which we can both encourage and push for that. The Deputy and I have had conversations about that both on and off the record in terms of how we might be able to do that, whether it is through our role on the UN Security Council or our role in the EU, and so on. I would say that Ireland is the most...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to the Deputy's question is that I have asked my political director to make contact with the Israeli ambassador and his team in respect of this killing. I was deeply concerned to learn of the death of a seven-year-old boy, Rayyan Suleiman, during Israel Defence Forces operations in the occupied West Bank last Thursday, 29 September. I extend my deepest sympathies to his...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: What I said to the Israeli ambassador is the same thing we have been saying internationally to Israel in multiple forums, including the UN Human Rights Council, UN Security Council and EU meetings. We expect Israel to conduct independent investigations when killings occur, whether of journalists, children or anybody else. An occupying power in an occupied territory has international...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: That is what we are doing and saying.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I disagree with the Deputy on the justification for Palestinian violence, which he seemed to suggest should not be criticised. There is violence on both sides of this conflict. I am, and continue to be, very critical of the approach of the Israeli Government to the Palestinians. I will also strongly criticise radical factions within Palestinian society that are also responsible for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: However, we will be clear about our view of international law and the obligations on the Israeli Government towards Palestinian people-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: -----in the lands it occupies.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. Given that the questions are paired, will I have a bit of extra time?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I just wanted to know that before I started. This is a slightly longer answer but I would like to give quite a lot of detail to the House on this particular issue.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: This is an important and current issue. I believe we currently have a window of opportunity for a much-needed reset in EU-UK relations. I welcome the positive statements from the new UK Government about its desire to find a negotiated settlement on the protocol on Northern Ireland. We now need to see those sentiments turned into constructive engagement between the UK and the European...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Sometimes, in moments of opportunity like this, less is more in terms of what is said publicly. We are trying to rebuild a relationship of some trust, which has been largely absent for quite some time. Certainly, the conversations I have had with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and his deputy, Steve Baker, have been warm. There is a genuine effort on the British side to try...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will address the matter of the legislation when I come back in.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thought I had double the time, that is all.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will pick up where I left off last time on the legislation. Of course it would be helpful if the legislation was formally frozen but I am not sure that ask is on the table because we are trying to make progress without creating barriers or raising things we cannot agree on. The legislation is there in the background. We know that and are not particularly happy about it but it is best...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Do I not have double the time rather than just two minutes each time?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: If they are the rules, we will have to work within them. I thought I had twice the time to answer each question if two Deputies were asking. Deputy Brady's questions were pretty important.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am not complaining. I am just saying these are important issues.