Results 10,981-11,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Miscarriages of Justice (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. The persons concerned were convicted of murder by joint enterprise at their trial in 2012. Their appeal against these convictions failed at the High Court in Belfast in 2012 and, in 2015, the UK Supreme Court refused to allow them to mount a further appeal. As the Deputy is aware, the case is now being looked at by the Criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by our non-participation in any military alliance. Our position as a member of the European Union in no way undermines or threatens this policy, a policy to which this Government remains fully committed. This commitment is recognised by our European partners in the legally-binding Protocols attaching to the Lisbon Treaty,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. I and my Government colleagues regret that it did not prove possible to secure passage of the Irish E3 Visa Bill in December, during the last term of the outgoing US Congress. While this was disappointing news for all who care about the Ireland-US relationship, it is important to acknowledge the strong support received from many...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 10 December, and following the earlier opinion by its Advocate General, the European Court of Justice decided that a Member State can revoke a notification under TEU Article 50 of its intention to withdraw from the Union, unilaterally, at any point up to its withdrawal from the Union. The Court stipulated that it would have to be an unequivocal and unconditional decision, taken in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. Since July 2018 the Government has made a number of key decisions on Brexit preparedness including on staffing, ICT and infrastructure at the ports and airports. At its meeting of 11 December the Government agreed, that in light of ongoing political uncertainties and the Brexit deadline of 29 March, greater immediate priority must now be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 139 together. I most recently met with Michel Barnier on 21 January, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. We discussed the disappointing but not unexpected outcome of the 15 January vote in the House of Commons on the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Both Mr Barnier and I are in agreement that what we need from the UK is clarity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: There has been no suggestion from any of our EU partners that the Withdrawal Agreement, or the backstop which forms part of it, can or should be reopened. Rather there has been clear and unwavering solidarity on it from EU partners and institutions. Throughout the Article 50 process they have demonstrated strong understanding, and support, for the need to address the unique...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As provided for in the Government’s Contingency Action Plan on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, published on 19 December 2018, at a national level, Ireland has screened all legislation currently in force to identify areas where legislative amendments will or may be required in the case of a no deal Brexit. The General Scheme of these proposed amendments was published on 24...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Article 50 negotiations concluded in November 2018 with the publication of the Withdrawal Agreement which has been endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. An integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement is the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland which also contains the backstop provisions. The Agreement, with its backstop provisions, is the only...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: North-South economic and social cooperation has benefited people across the island, and supported the development of an all-island economy that has enhanced the prosperity of all. Protecting these gains is not just about ensuring frictionless trade; it is also about facilitating peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Fundamentally, this is about peace, reconciliation and prosperity. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Throughout the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, I, as well as officials from my Department, engaged in extensive contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Task Force, and the UK, to advance Ireland’s priorities. The Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed in November, and adopted by the European Council, is the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains fully committed to Ireland’s membership of the European Union. Opinion polls consistently show that this is a view shared by the vast majority of the Irish people. While I cannot speak for other Member States, I have every confidence in the commitment of our European partners to the European project. This has been re-affirmed on many occasions. In September...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The EU has opened formal negotiations with two countries in the Western Balkans: Montenegro and Serbia. Both of these countries opened new negotiating chapters at their respective Accession Conferences in Brussels in December 2018. Montenegro now has 32 of 35 opened chapters, while, for Serbia, that number is 16. Further Accession Conferences will be planned, as appropriate, in order to take...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The EU remains dedicated to supporting the European future of the Western Balkans. In the Council Conclusions on Enlargement which were agreed on Tuesday 26 June 2018, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to enlargement and stated that it continues to represent a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe. The Conclusions also stated that the EU is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have given a high priority to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since I took up office, and have worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two state solution. I have visited Israel and Palestine three times over the last eighteen months, holding meetings with the key interlocutors in both places, including both President Abbas and Prime...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (29 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy network plays a central role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas. Embassies and Consulates around the world provide vital support for Ireland’s state enterprise agencies, including by supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of the Embassy in supporting Ireland’s trade...

No Consent, No Sale Bill 2019: First Stage (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: No.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have heard some doctors speak about this issue in the media today. It is important to say the problems related to secondary HPV testing are not solely connected to the increased volume of smear tests. We need to be accurate in considering what has contributed to what problem. There are two separate issues. One is capacity and one is secondary screening, when it has been necessary, in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: If we can provide more detail on what the Deputy is looking for, we can, of course. do so.