Results 40,481-40,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Electricity Network. (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Is it not the case that the ESB offered to build this interconnector and then hand it over to EirGrid? Why did the Government turn down that offer?

Electricity Network. (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: To clarify the position, the taxpayer will pay for it and it will be handed over to EirGrid who will own it on behalf of the State. It will be linked up with the network which EirGrid controls and will own separately from the ESB when the Minister decides to introduce legislation to make this happen. Is this correct? Is the Minister satisfied — because I am not — that 500 MW is big...

Electricity Network. (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for the clarification. Does the Minister mean there is no cost saving to building a 1,000 MW interconnector at that stage as opposed to a 500 MW? Will it be as cost effective to upgrade in the future? Is this cost being factored in by the Minister? The point made by the Minister is also the point I wish to make. We are endeavouring to introduce competition into the...

Electricity Network. (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: It will keep costs high so renewables are competitive.

Telecommunications Services. (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the strategy he supports for an efficient and speedy roll out of broadband to all parts of the country; the timeframe that this can be achieved in; the way the Government will support the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/07]

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: He is not responsible.

Fire Services: Motion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: As with all other speakers, I offer sympathy to the Murray and O'Shaughnessy families, as well as to the colleagues of the men, some of whom are probably in the Gallery this evening. I commend the Labour Party on bringing this motion forward but I am disappointed the Government has decided to divide the House on it. The motion proposed by the Labour Party appears to be deliberately written...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise the following urgent matter: the decision by the Government, against the advice of the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, to take a eurosceptic approach towards EU procedures aimed at a common approach to cross-border crime, against the wishes of 25 other EU states and in line with the British...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Hear, hear.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Could we use the emergency brake for those?

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: The reason this side of the House is so anxious to have statements or a debate on this issue is that there is much confusion about the fundamental difference between the constitutional treaty we were happy to sign up to and supported, and the reform treaty now being proposed. This particularly relates to requiring Ireland to be able to opt out. There is also a contradiction in the...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: There is not total understanding.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: On Thursday last I tried to establish which Minister is responsible for legislation relating to the sea fisheries sector and received an ambiguous reply from the Tánaiste. Last week a ministerial order regarding safety on fishing boats was issued by the Minister for Transport and the Marine. On the section of the Order Paper relating to upcoming legislation, the only Bill relating to...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: This directly contradicts the answer we received last week, which was that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was responsible. That would be borne out by the evidence on the list for upcoming legislation where there is only one piece of sea fisheries legislation, which comes under the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It would be helpful...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: The Government is represented on the board of Aer Lingus.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the plan to build a new children's prison to accommodate juvenile prisoners in the future. [22609/07]

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (9 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action the Gardaí will be taking as a result of the announcement that Great Britain and Ireland are to work together to combat human trafficking through a new operation called Pentameter two. [22610/07]

Proposed EU Military Operation: Motion (9 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: I understand the element of urgency in the motion and the Fine Gael Party is happy to facilitate the Government in this regard. In the past three years, I was coordinator for human rights for the EPP-ED group on the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. We passed seven different motions relating to the conflict in Darfur and western Sudan and its impact on the region. The...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (4 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will take a position on shorter tours of duty and optional overseas service, two steps that would likely increase recruitment and retention, especially for females. [22090/07]

Written Answers — Retention Rates: Retention Rates (4 Oct 2007)

Simon Coveney: Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence the rates of retention for male and female members of the Defence Forces including separate rates for officers. [22091/07]