Results 9,901-9,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: Recent events in Venezuela and the escalation of tensions between both sides underscore the urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the already grave humanitarian, social and political crisis in the country. Actions by the Maduro administration and the Venezuelan security forces, including the detention of the Vice President of the National Assembly Edgar Zambrano, are further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (16 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Syria remains grave. Since 2011, the Syria conflict has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. As the conflict enters its ninth year, nearly 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, and more than 80 per cent of people live below the poverty line. Over 6 million people are displaced inside Syria, and a further 5.6 million have fled to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 May 2019)

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. We are committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. This commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island:...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The continuing absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a source of deep concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. On 26 April, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach agreed to establish a new process of political talks, involving the five main parties, together with the British and Irish Governments. On 7 May, the Secretary of State for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the US since taking office. We will continue our efforts in this regard until we secure progress – both in terms of future legal immigration opportunities for Irish citizens, and also in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status. Special Envoy to the US Congress on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I remain worried about the case referred to by the Deputy. UN human rights experts last week expressed concern that the individual may have been kept in solitary confinement, and in conditions of detention which do not meet the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The experts claim that these conditions have had a serious impact on the individual's health. The UAE...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (15 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposals released by the British Government in March 2019 in respect of arrangements in a no deal Brexit scenario. The Government has analysed the detail of the UK proposals and their potential impact, together with our EU partners. Any tariff regime would be extremely serious for Irish exporters, particularly for agri-food exports. That...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (15 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 89, inclusive, together. Together with UK Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the United Kingdom on the Common Travel Area (CTA) and its associated reciprocal rights and privileges in London on 8 May, immediately prior to the meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The renewal of violence between Israel and Gaza, which began on Friday 3 May and lasted until Monday 6 May, was deeply alarming. While each side blamed the other for the initial spark, the sudden escalation of rocket fire was both unexpected and inevitably led to further attacks in both directions. I expressed my grave concerns in a public statement made on 5 May, condemning indiscriminate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (14 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  Examples of where my Department has advertised during 2019 have included public information campaigns in relation to the Online Passport Renewals Service and on the theme of ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’. Details of such...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: It was published yesterday immediately after we signed it. The MOU has essentially been in gestation for a number of months and it is backed up by the legislation that this House facilitated in key areas from healthcare to social welfare and education, among other areas, to ensure that the rights and access to supports British people living in Ireland and Irish people living in the UK get...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I can give a brief response if I am allowed to do that. The assistant commissioner for the northern region is putting immediate arrangements in place for additional uniformed patrols to be conducted within the district, thereby providing reassurance to the community, which is needed. The patrols will be supplemented by the emergency response unit from Dublin and supported by the regional...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I acknowledge the important services and the commitment of staff to people with disabilities and their families provided by Rehab, one of the many disability service providers. The Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, held a joint meeting yesterday with Rehab and the HSE, both of which have committed to working together intensively over the next week...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy asked a number of questions. I have long responses I could read to him but it is probably more appropriate to put those questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality so that he can answer them comprehensively. The chair of GSOC did raise issues in the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in recent days that require a comprehensive response, and the responses are there.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I acknowledge that Deputy Gino Kenny has become a go-to person in the House on this issue for many individuals and families who are looking for answers. I spoke to the Minister about this many times. He wants to conclude this issue and provide clarity once and for all. A considerable amount of necessary work has been done to get us to this point. I do not have an exact date but I will try...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is right. The Bill needs to proceed. It was actually listed for Report Stage last night but was not reached. It must now be relisted, hopefully for the next couple of weeks. No amendments have been put down on Report Stage, so there is no reason it cannot pass through the House very quickly, be finalised and become law.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy on this.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: Policy and spending are matters for the Minister for Health, but I will certainly pass this matter to him and ask him to come back to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: There is an obligation on the Medical Council to prioritise patient care. If it is aware of anything that may compromise that it has an obligation to act. I am not familiar with the court judgment the Deputy refers to so I must be careful in what I say. If the Deputy wishes to send me more details I can come back to him.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, the perspective of the Government and the Department of Finance is that community employment supervisors are not employees of the State, even though their salaries are funded by the State.