Results 8,281-8,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (30 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent on advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs for campaigns to promote policies or programmes in each of the past two years are set out in the table below. Campaign Be Winter Ready  2018 2019 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that, in accordance with Government policy, which is based on official public health advice, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against non-essential travel overseas. This includes Great Britain but does not apply to Northern Ireland. It also includes all travel by cruise ship. On 21 July, the Government agreed a list of fifteen locations for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to meeting its obligations under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014. In line with the guidance issued by the FOI Central Policy Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, it has worked with requesters during the COVID-19 response period to ensure the maximum number of requests are answered. To date this year the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department is closely following developments along the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where recent events have regrettably led to the loss of lives. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian areas are completely unacceptable and are contrary to the ceasefire in place.   Our own history of protracted conflict means we understand that resolution and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. This commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World and A Better World. Discriminatory practices with respect to employment, education and access to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Freedom of Information (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently processing five Freedom of Information requests. In the case of one of those requests, following discussions with the requester and with their agreement, the deadline for replying to the request has been extended by four weeks (20 working days).  The extension is required in order to process the large volume of records requested.  I fully expect...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (29 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Currently, there are no Defence properties for sale on the open market.  However, my Department has had proactive engagements with the Land Development Agency (LDA), following confirmation of its interest in acquiring the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar for the development of housing provision. To this end, my officials have commenced the necessary background work to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: To make one thing clear, while some voices in the Conservative party may be questioning the withdrawal agreement, this is an international treaty to which the British Government has signed up. I have certainly not seen the Prime Minister or Michael Gove move away from the commitments made in that agreement. It is hugely important to state that while there may be some views that question the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 53 together. As I stated earlier today, the Middle East peace process is a priority issue for me and for the Government, and I will continue to make every possible effort to engage constructively on this issue, through contacts with the parties, with relevant third states, with our EU partners, and with the UN. I have paid four working visits to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since the others were given time, I am going to take a little bit of time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: That is fine, but when the questions are grouped together, I should also get a little more time to respond.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will be quick. Deputy Costello is in a Government that cares about this issue, that has spent an extraordinary amount of time ensuring that Ireland has some influence over key decision-makers in respect of the Middle East peace process and that will continue to prioritise this issue, as we have done in the programme for Government. That is clear. Deputy Boyd Barrett, as usual, is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I wish to back up what my colleague has said. Since the Covid crisis, our development budget is being restructured in many ways. We are looking to re-prioritise how we spend a significant amount of money. Ireland spends about €840 million on development assistance each year. We are looking at how we can effectively reshape that programme in the context of Covid-19 and we are open...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach, my Cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with our EU partners, as well as UK counterparts, as appropriate, to advance Ireland’s priorities in matters arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the EU-UK future partnership negotiations, implementation of the withdrawal agreement and the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. While I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will try to stick to them as well. I agree with Deputy Howlin. I also had a very good relationship with Keir Starmer when he was a Brexit spokesperson. We spoke regularly about the challenges of Brexit, as I also did with members of the Conservative Party. The dynamic and the numbers within the British Parliament have changed fundamentally since then. The current Government has a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to have an opportunity to address this issue. The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern and this particular issue forms an important part of our engagement and dialogue with Iran. Discriminatory practices in respect of access to employment, education and other basic services continue to affect Baha'i and other minority groups in Iran. Baha'i business...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will come back to the Deputy in writing in regard to the specifics of the identity card issue. We have taken our lead from the special rapporteur in terms of reporting. I outlined in my reply the various ways in which we raise our concerns at the reports we are reading and hearing with the Iranian authorities and in multilateral fora, including the Human Rights Council and elsewhere. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I accept the Deputy's point and agree that Ireland has a particular obligation in such matters. We constantly talk about human rights being at the centre of our foreign policy. We need to back that up and to have the uncomfortable conversations with embassies and ministers. We have already had some of those conversations in regard to the situation of the Baha'i and other ethnic minorities...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: 6 o’clock Ensuring the UK land bridge remains an effective route to market for Irish and other EU traders has been a key priority for the Government for some time in the context of Brexit. The UK's accession to the common transit convention is a key and positive step. It is important to recognise that because the UK Government has decided to be part of that convention in an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Rosslare Europort is a priority. As the Deputy knows, the Government has, since 2018, made significant investment in the infrastructure and systems at Rosslare Europort. Substantial work is complete on a number of projects, including new inspection bays, HGV parking spaces and live animal inspection facilities. Further facilities will come on line before the end of the year. A big...