Results 9,561-9,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I accept that and I will stay within the time. This House made its views clear on the separation of children in the context of migration and refugees, and that position has not changed. I am not aware of everything raised by the Taoiseach with President Trump but I certainly hope to have the opportunity to meet Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Ireland later this summer. The EU...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: On the news announced today which is impactful on many families, I will give the House an update on the source of the issue and how, I hope, it may be resolved. Last month the ESB shut Lough Ree Power Station in County Longford to carry out planned maintenance. The generating station was due to return to service the week of 6 and 7 July, but the decision was taken to defer its return to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The issues at Lough Ree power plant this morning are not necessarily linked with the transition about which we are talking

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a specific environmental issue with licensing, water cooling systems and so on in respect of discharge. It needs to be resolved, but the Deputy is correct that in the medium term the challenges will be significant. Having said that, Bord na Móna has been planning for this and talked to its workforce about it for years. It is already diversifying. Recently it created 50 jobs in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: In response to the first question there is no recruitment embargo. There is recruitment within the parameters of the budgets that have been agreed.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: There is recruitment taking place across the HSE. The Deputies know that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is not just management. There are areas where there are staffing pressures of course. The Deputies cannot ignore the availability of financial resources when recruiting. There are targeted recruitment campaigns happening particularly in areas where there is most pressure but they have to happen within the budgets that have been allocated. Otherwise money that is not there will be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Virtually all sectors in the HSE are seeing increased staffing. It does have to be cognisant of the available resources. People know that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is not helpful to go into the individual issues under discussion at the WRC to resolve outstanding issues. My understanding is that management is absolutely committed to bringing to a conclusion the issues that have been discussed for quite a long time, I accept that. I understand the frustration of the PNA but I also ask them to consider the impact of their decision on overtime and to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy cannot argue with the numbers for the money being spent. In 2015 the budget in this area was €306 million and is now almost €450 million, an increase of almost €150 million in the budget.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: That recognises the challenge the Deputy mentioned, which is the increasing demand with an ageing population. We are trying to prioritise how that money is being spent. As I outlined earlier, improving the capacity to be able to move from hospital to a home care setting obviously also impacts on the hospital system. That needs financial supports, increased hours and supports for families....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is a concern. The Psychiatric Nurses Association members have withdrawn their availability for overtime from 7 a.m. this morning for an indefinite period. The PNA has indicated this will not affect child and adolescent mental health services. The HSE has stated that this course of action will have a significant impact on the delivery of...

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: 12 o’clock I wish to close the debate by saying that on a practical level, we are about to head into recess and this summer will be dominated in media commentary and political concern by Brexit and by the build-up to what will be a challenging period in September and October, with a new British Prime Minister in place, with an ongoing negotiation and with a lot of efforts to try...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I also want to recognise the sad passing of two well-known and much loved personalities. I got to know Noel Whelan well during the marriage equality referendum but I had known him before then as well. He was somebody who had the courage to put his name forward for politics. He had a close connection with the Fianna Fáil Party but that did not determine his commentary and his influence...

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: They will all be contacted individually over the next two months.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: They will receive phone calls and we will have conversations.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are trying to protect working people. That is what the Government has been doing throughout in the context of Brexit.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit represents a unique and unprecedented challenge for Ireland. I think this House understands that well. Three months since the European Council extended the Brexit deadline to 31 October, we still do not know how or under what conditions the United Kingdom, UK, will leave the European Union, EU. It is hard for any of us to believe that the British Government and Parliament would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As part of the National Payments Plan objective to increase the use of secure and efficient electronic payments methods and reduce reliance on cash, from the 15 July 2019 cash will no longer be accepted at the Passport Service public counters in Dublin and Cork. Payments from that date onwards can only be made via Credit/Debit card, Postal order or Bank Draft. This decision was taken for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cyber Security Protocols (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a robust monitoring system and an incident response plan in place to deal with cyber security incidents. The Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to identify and understand risks and act accordingly, and systems are kept under constant review and updated regularly.