Results 39,381-39,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 20 is a response to my concern on Committee Stage at the possibility that board meetings could be held where people telephone to give a decision on a question. It is open to abuse in difficult decisions where the board is split. To be fair the Minister has tried to address this concern. In the unlikely event there is not a full attendance at the board meeting and members must...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Motion to Recommit (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I support Deputy McManus and what she says. The Minister may recall that I raised this issue on Second Stage. What we are proposing to do in Ireland does not seem consistent with what many other countries across Europe are doing, with the best example being our closest neighbour. The reality is that the delivery of broadcasting services is changing, as the Minister has conceded many times....

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I have a number of points on section 4. Will the Minister be clearer? Will the implementation of this legislation cost the State anything? He referred to the expenses that will be incurred by the Minister in the legislation's administration. If the cost will not be zero, what will it be? I will wait for the debate on the levy to discuss it. Just so that everyone is clear, how much will...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I do not understand what the balance will be. Of what will the Exchequer will make up the balance?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: First, on a procedural issue, Members are discussing too many amendments together at once as a number of themes must be discussed. The first of these is how we select, elect if necessary and approve the new board, from the point of view of the broadcasting authority of Ireland, the so-called corporation, RTE, and the compliance committees. I want to address this first, then consider whether...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (2 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I will not be difficult on this matter. I acknowledge that the Minister has shown initiative in changing the way the Government selects boards. Many people are rightly cynical about the way State board appointments are made. It is far too political and based on political preferences and background. There have been many cases of preferential treatment and that should not be the case. This...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach should do it more often.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on Guantanamo, notwithstanding the problems raised by Deputy Naughten. However, in the context of those comments, did the Taoiseach raise the issue of extraordinary rendition? There has been a link between Irish airports and, certainly, aircraft that have been used for extraordinary rendition in the past. Has the Taoiseach received assurances from the US...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: I would have believed the new US President would have welcomed the opportunity to clarify the issue.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: That is actually not true. I am not suggesting people have been transited through Shannon Airport but aircraft certainly have passed through it.

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (31 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a decision from the European Commission with regard to the new health insurance levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13122/09]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 27: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is proposing to tax the sending and receiving of text messages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10401/09]

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Government has just binned the carer's strategy.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to have an opportunity to contribute to these pre-budget statements. I would like to deal with a few issues. Most Government speakers have asked the Opposition to make suggestions. I will give them some suggestions, while also commenting on the Government's performance. The manner in which the Government communicates with the people and with this House in the build-up to the...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: My party has produced a list. We have said we would reduce the number of Ministers of State from 20 to 12.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: I will happily go through the list with Deputy Andrews after this debate. I would like to make some more suggestions in the five remaining minutes available to me. If one needs to inflict pain on somebody, one should start by inflicting it on one's self. Only then can one undertake the communications challenge of convincing people that the pain one needs to inflict on them will be good...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: We are to propose that tomorrow.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: How will the Government do it?

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: Yes we can.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (24 Mar 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the interpretation of EU Directives is posing a threat to the future of mussel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/09]