Results 11,021-11,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: We need to pay for that to ensure the job is done properly. That is instead of trying to score political points on the back of getting a proper and professional piece of independent work to ensure we get an accurate assessment of what happened and we can learn lessons for other projects. The Deputy mentioned the potential nurses' strike and that is before the Workplace Relations Commission,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to provide some clarity and, I hope, some reassurance to women concerned about this issue. Before answering the Deputy’s political charges and questions, I want to reassure the many women who understandably want to know exactly what is going on. In May, the Minister for Health made the decision to offer free...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I 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 on how it proposes to move forward, and ultimately what it wants to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Decisions on the final total allocation to the Passport Service in 2019 are currently being finalised in the Department. As already announced in Budget 2019 , last October, further funding is being earmarked for the Passport Service, which has seen a significant increase in demand for Irish passports from Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and Great Britain since the UK voted to leave the EU....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit is a major priority for the Government, for me and the work of my Department. I meet regularly every Thursday with senior officials from all relevant Divisions in my Department, and the Secretary General, to be briefed on and to discuss the latest developments regarding the Article 50 process and our ongoing preparations for Brexit.  The Permanent Representation to the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I know that I speak for all members of this House in our utter condemnation of the hijacking and bombing in Derry on 19 January and the subsequent hijackings and security alerts. The people behind such violence have neither mandate nor legitimacy nor support in the community. Their actions show a callous and reckless disregard for human life, and risk causing serious injury and loss of...

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Of course, it is.

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: We have our own advice.

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is not.

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to be able to speak to this Bill. The Bill merits very careful consideration in all its aspects. I have addressed this Bill already in the Seanad. I will not therefore repeat what I have said about my activities on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I trust Deputies will recognise the priority I have attached to this issue, the time I have devoted to it and, indeed,...

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I should also mention briefly some other legal and constitutional difficulties identified with the Bill, including the use of ministerial regulations to extend the scope of the Bill, aspects of the extraterritorial application of this Bill, and constitutional difficulties around the legal certainty and capability of enforcement of some criminal offences contained in the Bill. The political...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: On the question of residents in nursing homes with medical cards having to pay for products which otherwise they would be able to access for free, that would seem to be a contractual and management issue for the nursing homes concerned. I will follow up on that. It is the first I have heard of it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The GAA has made it clear that it is a body which makes decisions independently of the Government. The ticket price increase is a matter for the GAA to answer. The statutory instrument concerning final year pharmacy students is a policy decision for the Minister for Health. I will pass on the question to him. It is not a decision for the Taoiseach at this stage. I do not have a timeline...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: There is no fear of the Deputy starving. I am very familiar with the food industry and the issue of food supplements is important. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, has responded on this issue in some detail already today. This is a matter of interpretation by the Revenue Commissioners. The Minister has indicated he will ask that this issue be looked at and recommendations will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae misled the Dáil earlier. The Taoiseach did not say he was giving up beef. He, like any other person-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: -----can make personal choices in respect of diet and health.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: This Government remains a very strong and solid supporter of the agrifood industry and the beef industry.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I am sure Deputy Haughey will expect, I will have to ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to respond to him with the detail of that particular matter. I will ask him to do so directly with Deputy Haughey.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: This is a tragic case with tragic circumstances. I know that and it is sensitive. My understanding is that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, made contact with the individual and the family concerned. He has agreed to look at this issue so we can respond in a compassionate way in cases like this.