Results 22,381-22,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Having had the benefit of speaking to many Ministers for foreign affairs and defence from other European Union countries, it is clear that many European countries feel threatened by Russia, which is perfectly understandable given their history with Russia. Many populations feel threatened by Russia as a result of what is happening in Ukraine. If one were to study the history of these...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: To finish the point, the position I have advocated is that a resolution of the current tension between the European Union and Russia will not be achieved by military interaction but by politics.

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are 38 defence attachés accredited to Ireland, of whom only two are located here. One of these is from the Russian Federation, while the other is from the United States, which is somewhat ironic given the discussion we had on the previous question. The remaining 36 defence attachés are located in the United Kingdom. There is ongoing contact between the Defence Forces and...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: On the one hand, the Deputy argues that we should not take sides, while, on the other, she asks the Government to impose embargoes. We must take sides at different times, on different issues and in different conflicts. Neutrality is all about the ability to take sides without being tied down to military alliances. We work with the United States on many levels, including politically and...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I indicated, it would not surprise me if we had more contact with the United States defence attaché.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: We have spent €83,000 this year on support for the Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport, which is slightly less than we spent last year. By this time last year, we had spent just over €84,000. Since 2012 the figure has been coming down quite a bit. It was €275,000 in 2012; €221,000 in 2013 and €180,000 last year. That is the full cost of providing...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy has a question for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, he should ask him. I am sure he will have no problem answering those questions. I certainly do not need to answer for him. Our role in the Department of Defence and that of the Defence Forces is to give assistance to An Garda Síochána when it asks for it. That is what we do. We try to do that as...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not accept that we are helping to kill anybody. I do not accept either that the US is looking to kill any refugees.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: US troops have, by and large, left Afghanistan. The mission there is to build capacity amongst Afghan authorities.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Yes, because they cannot leave overnight.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The very same people who criticise the US for intervening, criticise it when it does not intervene.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is the reality when there are conflicts.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: We are talking about the role of the Department of Defence in Shannon. Unfortunately, in assisting An Garda Síochána in Shannon the role of the Department of Defence is to ensure that people do not illegally enter Shannon Airport seeking to damage planes, as happened in the past.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Unfortunately, because of the actions of some people, we have to spend money deploying Defence Forces to protect aircraft landing in Shannon.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s decision is that it does not take part in NATO decisions or operations unless they are peace-keeping operations that have the support and approval of the United Nations, which is the case, for example, in Afghanistan at the moment.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am not going to start judging other countries for what they choose to spend on defence. Greece allocates a relatively high proportion of its expenditure to defence. That is a decision for the Greeks, just as we must make decisions on defence expenditure as part of the White Paper process. My view is that we need to spend a little more on defence in order that we can increase our...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I think the Deputy is missing the point, with respect. The point I am making is that if embargoes are to be imposed, it needs to be a decision at EU level. Ireland's position in relation to a two-state solution as regards Israel and Palestine is very clear and has been articulated on many occasions. Whether it is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, or myself, the Taoiseach or...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: We are committed to trying to get an outcome for people who for far too long have been living in misery in that part of the world. I do not personally think that those efforts will be assisted by the kind of approach that is being proposed.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: It is a fine facility and we are looking at ways for utilisation. Following the closure of Columb Barracks, my Department invited Departments and other public bodies to express any interest in the property, with a view to its disposal by the Department. No such interest was expressed at that time. As the Deputy is aware, my Department was approached by the Westmeath GAA county board...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The ultimate aim is the disposal of the property as it is no longer part of the Defence Forces infrastructure. I have an open mind on using all the properties we still own as the Department of Defence to ensure they are being used in the most efficient and effective way across all the areas for which I have responsibility, whether it is the Reserve Defence Force supporting Civil Defence,...