Results 481-500 of 40,856 for speaker:Simon Coveney

EU Summits. (24 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Can the Taoiseach explain a contradiction in what he said? He stated that we will examine introducing new border security measures for Ireland, presumably in airports, ports and along the coast, however, we would not seek increased security on the Border between North and South. At the same time, the Taoiseach informed us that 90% of illegal immigration occurs along that Border.

EU Summits. (24 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Between North and South. That has clarified it. Several people have tried to have the following matter clarified. What will be the position for someone travelling from Dublin to Belfast and on to Britain? Will that person need a passport? Under the proposed electronic border control system, will one be able to travel between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain without a passport? If...

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: I wish to share time with Deputies Tom Sheahan, Bannon, D'Arcy, Tom Hayes, P.J. Sheehan, Enright, Naughten and Deenihan. It is clear there is much Fine Gael interest in this issue. I thank the Minister for addressing the issue as did Deputy Mary White. Unfortunately their Fianna Fáil colleagues chose not to do that and instead gave us a party political broadcast on general agricultural...

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: On a point of information, I will take the next slot.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Hear, hear.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: I reject the statement by the Minister time and again on radio that human trafficking is not a problem in Ireland. That is not true. It may not be the problem it is in other European countries in terms of scale and numbers but human trafficking is a problem in Ireland on a number of levels. Organisations such as Ruhama, which has been quoted a number of times, will state definitively that...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre Development: Abbey Theatre Development (25 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the development of the new Abbey Theatre; if it is possible to give this project added momentum in order to bring it to completion as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25623/07]

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: I wish to reinforce the point I made in the debate last week, namely, that the Minister has consistently taken an incorrect position on the issue of human trafficking in Ireland. It is not true that human trafficking is a potential rather than existing problem. While the number of victims of trafficking and the level of exploitation here may not equate to those of other European countries...

Written Answers — Unsolicited Mail: Unsolicited Mail (1 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans he has to tackle the growing problem of postal spam, or junk mail; his views on restrictive measures against those who send unsolicited mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26768/07]

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the implications for Irish Agriculture of the EU announcement on restrictions on the use of pesticides. [27128/07]

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: Can the Minister ensure we do not have a repeat of the nitrates directive fiasco, when farmers had no idea what was coming down the tracks? In a hurried manner, we put together a national nitrates action plan

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: That is rubbish.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: During the last European elections we had many farmers' meetings at which concerns were expressed about restrictions on pesticide use. Having been in the European Parliament, I know that Ireland is at a disadvantage as a large agricultural producer. Most views and legislation in the European Parliament are led by the consumer. We must ensure Ireland communicates its perspective as an...

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: I wish to raise this matter at an early stage to ensure farmers and farming representatives are kept in the loop on this issue. Concern, particularly among arable farmers, is growing.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: The national plan is the key issue the Government must examine.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 79: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the tight deadline for REP scheme four applicants; when first payments under this scheme will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27129/07]

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to go into Dáil reform in general because my colleague, Deputy Stanton, has done a huge amount of work on that. I draw to the attention of the Taoiseach one specific issue on which I have done some work, the concept of the dedicated television channel. I spoke to RTE about this issue which states that, from a technical point of view, it is an absolutely viable proposition....

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to be able to speak on this issue and I am glad we have agreement on the motion. Many people in the United States are watching this debate at the moment on the Internet, listening to what we have to say and hoping we have something to say that will help in finding a solution to the problem. They do not want the kind of crocodile tears we have seen shed by many speakers. They have...

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: He did not raise it with the key person.

State Airports. (7 Nov 2007)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the tendency of the Minister of State to ad lib some of the reply to the question. This may keep the reply relevant because the reply often consists of a list of things that have nothing to do with the issue.