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

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2008)

Simon Coveney: It is important to remind the House of the wording of the Fine Gael motion given the comments of previous speakers. It states: "That Dáil Éireann reaffirms its confidence in the Mahon tribunal, and its belief that the tribunal is acting independently, without bias and within the remit contained in the terms of reference set by the Oireachtas." One would have a right to assume that this...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2008)

Simon Coveney: There is no confusion there.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2008)

Simon Coveney: It is true. Is the Deputy saying it is not true?

Electricity Interconnector. (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for being present. It is not that often that Ministers appear in the Chamber to answer questions directly. He should not be too intimidated that four Members on this side have all raised the same matter. The Minister will be aware that this has become a major political issue in three counties. The purpose of our raising...

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 357: To ask the Minister for Transport when the Sustainable Transport Action Plan due to be published by the end of 2007 is scheduled for publication. [3714/08]

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 220: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government required the exclusive purchase of CFL light bulbs for use in public bodies by the end of 2007, as announced in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007; and if not, the plans there are to introduce such a measure in the near future. [3713/08]

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 489: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government conducted, during 2007, an analysis of research needs required to support the development of future measures to reduce emissions from the agriculture sector and to identify potential climate change adaption measures, as announced in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 572: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if biomass heating was installed in eight schools in the summer of 2007 as announced in the national climate change strategy; if this heating has been installed in other schools since; and the plans in place to expand this programme on a wider national basis in the near future. [3709/08]

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 690: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Action Plan for Green Public Procurement was published in 2007 as scheduled; and if not, when it will be published. [3710/08]

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 691: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the revised part L building standards regulations, due to come into force in 2008 and to achieve up to 40% improvement on current standards, will come into force. [3711/08]

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 692: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Guidelines on Sustainable Development due to be published in draft for consultation in autumn 2007 will be published. [3712/08]

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 716: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Sustainable Energy Ireland extended the energy agreements programme to the small and medium enterprise sector during 2007 as scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3707/08]

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (5 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 717: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Power of One awareness campaign was extended to an all-island campaign during 2007 as scheduled; and if not, when it will become an all-island campaign. [3708/08]

Order of Business (6 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: The Government has promised the electricity regulation (EirGrid) (amendment) Bill during this session, which will facilitate EirGrid to build as well as own its first asset, an east-west electricity interconnector between Ireland and Britain. That raises concerns about the electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill, which was repeatedly been promised for 2008 by the Government and...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: Not in 2008.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. I am glad we have enough time to make comprehensive contributions. One of the frustrations with Standing Orders is that it would be helpful to know what the Minister is going to say on this issue before we speak. When he does speak, time limits are imposed on us.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: It will be a very brief one. We get three minutes and then one minute.

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: The disadvantage of this is that while we are talking, I suspect the Minister has more or less made up his mind on this issue. That said, it is important to put the arguments on the record. I am glad to see Deputy O'Rourke in the House. When she was the Leader of the Seanad after two fairly explicit "Prime Time" programmes which exposed the darkness of human trafficking in Ireland, she was...

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: I recall debating this matter approximately one year ago with a British Conservative MEP who made the point that we could not possibly legislate for temporary residency permits for victims of trafficking because there would be a queue of people willing to give evidence on the basis that their residency applications would be fast-tracked. That argument is nonsensical and relates to the law of...

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (7 Feb 2008)

Simon Coveney: That is not the position if a person is not a European national.