Results 10,681-10,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The opening of the Irish Consulate General offices in Los Angeles, Cardfif and Frankfurt are included in the second phase of the Mission Network expansion taking place as part of 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025'. This will involve the expansion and deepening of Ireland's international presence across priority regions, to provide opportunities to grow our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: All-Island Civic Dialogue (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The fifth plenary session of the All-Island Civic Dialogue took place on Friday 15 February 2019 in Dublin Castle. Over 400 representatives across industry and civic society attended the plenary session and were provided with updates on the Government’s ongoing preparations for Brexit, with an emphasis on the all-island aspects. Panel discussions during the day focused on how citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for the submission of passport applications by Irish citizens at home or abroad. These include a postal application system, known as Passport Express, an online passport renewal service, and a counter service for applicants who have immediate travel plans. The Passport Service recently expanded the Online Passport Renewal Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: A commercial bank is not, as a general matter, obliged to provide services to any specific customer. However, it would be disappointing if any civil society organisation engaging in lawful activities in this country was unable to function due to issues in accessing banking services. The operation of a healthy civil society is an essential element of a democracy. In the present case, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Funding (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not in receipt of and does not have EU funds channelled though the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Employment Rights (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 (“the Vienna Convention”) is an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between States. The Vienna Convention was ratified by Ireland in 1967 and incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. The Convention, which enjoys almost universal ratification,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (26 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal from the EU is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the UK Government. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland includes a commitment that "The United Kingdom shall ensure that no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as...

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Leave to Withdraw [Private Members] (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for this because he was one of the people who really got the microbeads issue onto the agenda, along with Senator Grace O'Sullivan. I said to him at the time when I was in a different Department that we were going to legislate for this but that we had to go through some EU procedures before we could do it. It was agreed on that the Government would try to make this happen...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will have to ask the line Minister to come back to the Deputy on that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I suggest that the local authority needs to take the initiative by contacting the Minister's office and trying to make some progress if it is as important as the Deputy suggests.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am glad that Deputy O'Loughlin asked her question because it gives me an opportunity to hopefully give some reassurance to people. We will publish legislation tomorrow morning. That is the omnibus Bill that will come into this House for Second Stage next week. One section of that legislation deals with cross-border healthcare. Even in a no-deal, worst case Brexit scenario, the Bill will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is a matter for the Business Committee.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have absolutely no information to give the House on that issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: For many years, Ireland has been in favour of progressive trade talks between the EU and the US and we are still in favour of that. Of course, we want to advocate for an adherence to the Paris Agreement on climate change, which we will do, but the idea that Ireland would not be supportive of improved facilitation of trade between the EU and the US would be totally counter-productive.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am glad the Deputy has asked the question to allow me to give some clarity to the House. I am aware of today's media reports on the MetroLink project to which the Deputy refers. As he will know, the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, held a public consultation last year on what was called an emerging preferred route. That route generated much...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 is important legislation that is consistent with the programme for Government. It is effectively being filibustered in the Seanad which, unfortunately, is delaying other legislation. There are consequences to filibustering and people should know what they are.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is referring to the safe access Bill that the Minister has promised, on which he will have the full support of the Government. I do not have an exact date for it but I suspect it will be towards the end of the year.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is the Business Committee decided this morning that, because of the disagreement on the issue and the fact that the Bill had stalled on Committee Stage, the way to deal with the matter was for the sponsor of the Bill to introduce a motion in Private Members' time to agree on the way forward.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is my understanding from my Whip of what was agreed to at the Business Committee this morning. If there is a different interpretation, I would like to hear it, but that is my understanding of what the Business Committee recommended and agreed to. It is not a matter for the Government but the Business Committee.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I confirm, as I am sure the Deputy has already had it confirmed to him, that flights have resumed at Dublin Airport. There was a temporary suspension of flights due to reports of the sighting of a drone. This is an issue which has been raised with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who has given a commitment to look into the issue and ensure an appropriate response is put in place.