Results 10,181-10,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

An Bille um an Ochtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2018 : An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: While the Government does not support this Bill, we welcome the opportunity to once again reaffirm this Government’s wholehearted commitment to Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. It is a policy underpinned by constitutional provisions which set out Ireland’s principles and beliefs, including that co-operation among nations is founded on international...

An Bille um an Ochtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2018 : An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: It has been the absolute counterbalance to that since its inception and continues to be today. Ireland has directly benefitted from peace-building programmes such as the PEACE programme, which works to support peace and reconciliation and to promote economic and social progress in Northern Ireland and the Border region, but people simply choose to ignore that element of the EU. While there...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Before dealing with the main topic of the Council meeting, which is Brexit, I will respond to some of the other issues raised. I agree with the expressions of frustration by many Members of the House that Brexit is taking up so much bandwidth for the European Union at present when there are so many other areas internally and particularly in foreign policy on which it should be focusing. ...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: We work with all parties.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: For God's sake.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are trying to get an answer to the Deputy's question.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I also noted those comments which were made in the final days of an election campaign. I expect that it was electioneering, but the comments were certainly unwelcome. I issued a very clear statement on them on behalf of the Government last night.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: My attention has been drawn to the reports regarding the situation in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in particular those relating to the treatment of Uighur Muslims and notably the detention of a significant number of people in re-education camps. Ireland takes these reports very seriously and has raised our concerns with our Chinese counterparts, in bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland adds our voice to that of the EU in expressing our deep concern at the recent implementation of certain measures under the Penal Code of Brunei-Darussalam, including the imposition of the death penalty against those engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activity. Some of the punishments foreseen in the criminal code amount to torture, acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: A return of direct rule in Northern Ireland is not an outcome that the Government would want to see happen, in any scenario. A return of fully functioning devolved institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is urgently needed in order to represent the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland and address issues of concern, including the challenges for Northern Ireland resulting from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: With the launch last year of ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government is committed to doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period ahead, while also continuously reviewing the scale of Ireland’s overseas network. In considering the expansion of our diplomatic representation overseas, a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: In June 2018, the European Council reconfirmed that a functioning EU policy on migration requires a comprehensive approach which combines effective controls of the EU's external borders, action to strengthen co-operation with countries of transit and origin, and dealing with the management of migrants within the European Union, where a balance of solidarity and responsibility is needed. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (9 Apr 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 in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status. Special Envoy to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: It was agreed at the last meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC), which took place in Dublin on 2 November 2018, that the BIIGC would reconvene in spring 2019. Discussion is under way in relation to the scheduling of this next meeting. This will be an important opportunity to jointly review the latest developments in British-Irish relations and political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (9 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: We promote and protect Ireland’s interests in the EU through the work of the EU Division of my Department, our Embassies in Europe and the Permanent Mission to the EU in Brussels, in cooperation with the Department of the Taoiseach, and other Government Departments. Ireland is strongly committed to the Single Market and continues to advocate that a properly functioning Single...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that three Departments are to meet the Central Bank tomorrow on this issue such that we have a basis for making a decision. People can still apply for the home loan scheme.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government is anxious to quickly provide clarity on the funding of the scheme. As stated, an important meeting on this issue will take place tomorrow between three Departments, including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, obviously, and the Central Bank.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has raised two issues. With regard to bringing home the contingent from the Golan Heights there was an issue between the UN and the Lebanese authorities that resulted in their plane having to be rescheduled because permission to land was not given because of a miscommunication somewhere. That is as much as I can say about it. We are looking to get that fixed quickly so people...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have read about and noticed both the issues the Deputy has raised. He might have noticed that this Government, especially under the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has been proactive on the issue of marine plastics in particular, creating an initiative with fishermen to take plastics out of the sea. We will also bring forward legislation around microbeads, on...