Results 5,221-5,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: With respect, as is the case with any port, we need to plan for investment and drive and fund most of that investment through revenues that come through the port. It is not a case of simply looking for capital grant aid from the Government for this. The Government will, of course, work with the port authorities in Rosslare to do what we can.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: As is the case in every other port, these are commercial decisions that need to be planned for and are made in that context.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: There was not a clear timeline-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----in relation to all projects----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: We will progress projects-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----as quickly as they can be progressed through the planning process. The Deputy knows as well as I do of the potential delays in projects of this size and scale that will come through planning systems, environmental impact studies, potential legal challenges and so on. We now have the resources to be able to deliver a significant scale of investment annually, every year for the next ten...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----that will allow us to build strategic sustainable infrastructure. The latter will, in my view, include prioritising, over time, a motorway between Limerick and Cork.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: In the context of the significant increase in shipping services from Rosslare Europort direct to the Continent as a result of Brexit and to enhance Rosslare Europort’s trade competitiveness, Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort have completed their strategic investment master plan for the port for the coming years. The master plan includes investment of €42 million...

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank that Seanad for inviting me here this evening and for giving me this opportunity to discuss the ongoing disturbing developments in Belarus. I will come back to this point but I will begin by praising the work done by Irish parliamentarians on this issue to date. It has been truly exemplary. In particular, I thank Senator Barry Ward for championing a motion on the political regime...

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for the opportunity to speak in this debate. I believe that any Belarusians listening to this debate will take some courage from it. I hope they will because it is a country that needs solidarity and support not only from its close neighbours, but from other countries across Europe and the world. The truth is that sanctions very rarely work overnight. Sometimes they...

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I suspect this will be a continuing problem for some time. The least we can do is to remain consistent and resolute in the context of the struggle the Belarusian people themselves are leading primarily on the ground. I thank the House for this opportunity and I hope we can come back and address this issue again in a few months' time.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: The NIFTI process is simply good governance, ensuring value for money and there is an environmental audit before hundreds of millions of euro are invested. The Deputy knows only too well why that is necessary, having served in Departments in the past. The truth is we are committing to significant expenditure each year. While people may say this is a wish list and there are not dates next...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has not gone out into never land. Those projects are named and we have the funding now, which is a significant increase on the funding for the last national development plan because, the country can now afford to borrow into the future for strategic capital investment, which is exactly what is happening. One does not propose to spend €165 billion and not deliver significant...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have said "Yes" on many occasions with regard to this project-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----but I do not control a planning process and I should not. I also do not control public consultation processes or the other permitting that is necessary before an investment of this scale can take effect.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy knows well the commitment that has been given to this project. In my view, it is an essential part of Cork's and Limerick's expansion and growth and economic prosperity in the future, as well as a plan that focuses on people's quality of life. The Deputy will see additional commitments being made by the Government, however, in terms of sustainable transport systems also linking...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm first of all to Deputy Mattie McGrath that he is very unlikely to see the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on a Honda 50 at any point in the future.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: He generally pedals his own bikes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government has launched the most ambitious capital investment programme in the history of the State. It committed €165 billion of investment over the next ten years. This is a plan to deliver a sustainable development plan for the country. It is not just for the big cities; it is for rural Ireland as well. This plan is sustainable and focuses on the challenges of climate change...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is well aware that there is a strong commitment in this Government to build a motorway between Cork and Limerick. That has been confirmed by the Taoiseach many times, by the Tánaiste many times and by me and others. Any piece of infrastructure at that scale must go through a planning process, a permitting process, an environmental impact assessment and all of the other...