Results 10,621-10,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights Cases (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: We should be honest about what actions are likely to achieve a result.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the question. Venezuela is experiencing the worst social, humanitarian, political and economic crisis in its history. This crisis is having a dire impact on the population and has resulted in mass migration affecting countries in the region and overall regional stability. The UN estimates that more than 3 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees have left Venezuela...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sectarian Violence (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is why we have an Ombudsman who has made an issue of trying to ensure that accurate information is made available to families. It is also why we must ensure that the independence of the review is robust in terms of how information is brought forward and made available to the PSNI. The core issue is the credibility of the response that is undertaken. We must work with the families to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy knows, it will be difficult for me to respond to all of those questions in two minutes. We have just come from the Brexit stakeholder forum, where we had a detailed discussion on the current state of Brexit negotiations. There will be votes today in Westminster that will essentially put in place a new timetable for the potential ratification of the withdrawal agreement. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will take the last question first. The response for vulnerable sectors in terms of support, aid and flexibility for Ireland in how we use state aid is already under way. Consider the package that has been put in place between Enterprise Ireland and the Carbery Group. A significant financial package that supports the Carbery Group in diversifying away from an over-reliance on the UK...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: On the Port of Dover, while we discuss these issues with the UK and the EU, we do not control all of the levers. That is the truth. Similarly, the British Government does not control what we do at Dublin Port or Rosslare. We continue to advocate to try to ensure that the landbridge remains a viable option for bringing goods to and from our market. There were some unfortunate headlines...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will do my best, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Regarding those who were invited, I have explained to those in Washington who were putting together a peace plan, to the Israeli ambassador and to an Israeli Minister who telephoned to discuss something else, why I did not think it would be helpful to have Israeli representatives at that meeting. We are trying to have a free and open debate,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----of a Palestinian state-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----in the context of an overall solution.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sectarian Violence (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Government is very concerned by the announcement by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland on 14 February of the receipt of significant new material from the PSNI. The ombudsman has indicated that the discovery of the new material will delay the publication of his report into events connected to the actions of loyalist paramilitaries in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sectarian Violence (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will try to this time. This development makes clear once again that the Stormont House Agreement framework is urgently needed in order to provide a comprehensive process for addressing legacy investigations and issues in Northern Ireland, focused on the needs of victims and survivors. It is important that we all work to ensure that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has the trust...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: A group of Arab and European Foreign Ministers met in Dublin on 18 and 19 February at my invitation for a discussion on the current state of the Middle East peace process. As well as the Palestinian Foreign Minister and me, Ministers from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Jordan, Spain and Sweden were present, as was the Secretary General of the Arab League. The participants were welcomed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have been very clear many times that we think the expansion of settlements in occupied territory is in breach of international law. We believe it should not be happening, as it undermines the capacity to have a viable two-state solution and makes it more difficult to negotiate. It also undermines the context in which we can achieve a fair settlement and causes unnecessary tension. For...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16, 22 and 23 together. I was deeply disappointed by Israel’s announcement that the mandate for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) would not be renewed. The TIPH, a civilian observer mission which was established in 1997 as part of United Nations Security Council Resolution 904 and the Oslo II accords, has played an important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements is a priority for my Department and indeed the Government as a whole. The approach of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I and my officials regularly meet Ambassadors from EU Member States as well as those from other States accredited to Ireland. Some recent occasions include - At a meeting of EU Heads of Mission, hosted by the Ambassador of Bulgaria, on June 19th2018. When EU Ambassadors attended my State of the Union address hosted by the Institute for International and European Affairs on 30 January 2019....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland and the UK have solemn and binding obligations to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and that there is no return of a hard border on the island of Ireland. The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which contains the provisions for the “backstop,” was negotiated on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: St Patrick’s Day is a unique opportunity, unmatched by any other country, to promote Ireland to an international audience and to renew our bonds with the global Irish family. Ministerial visits over the St Patrick’s Day period advance Ireland’s political and economic interests, and deepen relationships with important partners and Irish communities overseas. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 46 together. I welcome this opportunity to provide an update on the situation in Yemen. The Yemen conflict is a very complex situation, and the challenge of resolution should not be underestimated. What began as a conflict between the internationally-recognised Government and the Houthi de facto authorities has developed to involve outside...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Last week the Government of Israel decided unilaterally to withhold the equivalent of 123 million Euro in Palestinian tax revenue transfers. This decision is a result of legislation adopted by the Knesset last year that instructs the Government to withhold money equivalent to what the PA pays to Palestinians convicted by Israeli courts of involvement in terrorism or other security-related...