Results 8,541-8,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: There will be a conversation about the multi-annual financial framework and the position the Government takes on it at Friday's Cabinet meeting. On the €750 stimulus fund, which has not yet been signed off on by EU leaders, Ireland was one of eight countries which advocated for the equivalent of a corona bond so that we could essentially create a collective borrowing strength across...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: As already stated, the Government will discuss the matter on Friday. I am not going to predetermine the outcome of that discussion. The view of the Government on digital taxation within the EU without getting an agreement on an approach to digital taxation globally is that it would be a mistake. We will consider any proposals that come forward with an open mind and try to be constructive....
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: We already have that.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: The Deputy's last comment about Brexit suggested that he does not believe that Boris Johnson and his Government want a deal and that they would essentially hide that in the-----
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: ----fallout of Brexit. My view is that the British Government does want a deal, that it is committed to the protocol on Northern Ireland and that it wants a trade deal. Finding a way to get us there is going to be very difficult, but I believe both sides want a deal. To be clear, we have had a requirement on people coming into Ireland to self-isolate for 14 days for some time, and that...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: The Acting Chairman does not need to apologise.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I have answered that question a number of times and the US ambassador is in no doubt as to the Irish Government's position on this issue. I speak to him regularly and have a very good relationship with him. I expect that I will speak to him in respect of these and other matters in the coming days. I would not like that to be confused with the view which some people may have that the US...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I do not have a scheduled telephone call with him but I said I would be surprised if I did not speak to him in the next few days. I have a very good relationship with him and these are issues that I think are likely to result in a conversation.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I hope I have enough time to answer the questions on Brexit.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: There are essentially three different considerations for Ireland on Brexit, the first of which is the progress or non-progress on the future relationship. The first three rounds of negotiations got nowhere. This is hugely frustrating for Michel Barnier. I am sure it is equally frustrating for David Frost as well but when two sides are looking for different outcomes from the same...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I do not think it is unlikely to happen.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I do not think we are going to get a breakthrough on this by mid summer, which was the hope, at the end of this month. I do not think there will be a request for an extension of the transition period. As has previously been the case in Brexit negotiations, when decisions and leaps forward were made, we arrived at hugely pressurised crisis points and negotiators found a way through. It...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I think I have said a number times today that I share the concerns and outrage in this House in the context of what has unfolded in recent days in the US. 6 o’clock I have also said that the most appropriate way for Ireland to respond to these issues is to look at itself and make sure that we are credible when we criticise internationally. We should be vocal internationally, but...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: Yes, there are lots of questions there. I will start with the last one. How much time do I have?
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: On Hong Kong, what is developing there is very concerning. Many in the population see it in the same way as Deputy Matthews - compromising the independence of Hong Kong and the one country, two systems policy that had led to a lot of stability and had a lot of international support. On human rights and international business, we have a business and human rights committee that is doing...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: An efficient and secure Passport Service is important. Our team does a good job. Last year, we saw an extraordinary increase in the number of applications. This year is a surreal one in many ways, but we will during the summer and into the autumn get back to dealing with significant numbers of people who need their passports renewed and others who are getting passports for the first time....
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: -----we agreed to quadruple our funding for the organisation this year.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I think it is pretty clear where the Irish people stand on this issue. I speak to the ambassador, Mr. Crawford, quite regularly. I do not have a scheduled call with him, but I would not be surprised if I were to speak to him in the next week or so. What Irish people want is an appropriate political response to the outrage on the back of this awful killing and the protests that have erupted...
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: I have not finished.
- Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Simon Coveney: The overriding message from the Irish Government, but also, I think, from Irish people, is a complete rejection of racism and a determination to combat it in all its forms. We need to focus on ourselves as well as looking critically at others.