Results 11,041-11,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Trade with third countries outside the European Union is a EU competence, which is why the Government will not support the Bill when it is introduced later today by Fianna Fáil. There is very clear legal advice from the Attorney General and other sources that the Bill is not legally sound. Therefore, we could not support it, even if we wanted to. On trade with Israel-----

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

Simon Coveney: -----as the Deputy seems to suggest, boycotts are not something Ireland can deal with unilaterally. It is an issue we need to discuss at EU level.

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

Simon Coveney: I am very familiar with Tipperary town and understand why local business interests and stakeholders want to see a more co-ordinated approach to its future planning. The Government has committed to assisting in that regard.

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

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to the long answer given earlier by the Taoiseach on this issue. He explained that the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform appeared before Oireachtas committees all of the time but that issues related health expenditure were the responsibility of the Accounting Officer with responsibility for health expenditure, the Secretary General of the...

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

Simon Coveney: I recognise that youth mental health, in particular, presents a significant challenge for many families and young people and that the ultimate consequence of death by suicide and the impact it has on loved ones are extraordinary. We have all worked with families who have found themselves in that tragic situation and the Government is taking it seriously.

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

Simon Coveney: We are not just talking about it. We are increasing resources significantly. I will ask the Minister for Health to come back to the two Deputies concerned on the provision of supports in their geographical areas.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are no plans currently to refurbish the Embassy of Ireland to Spain in Madrid.  As part of the duty of care to staff, their families and visitors the Department works to ensure that all security and health and safety standards, including universal access, are met for buildings at home and overseas.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”).  Before a passport can issue, the Passport Service must be satisfied as to the identity of the applicant and that he or she is an Irish citizen. An application was received in respect of the person to whom you refer, on 8August 2018.  Following communication and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Managing the response to Brexit has impacted on the work of many units in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its missions overseas and staffing levels have been augmented in response. Global Ireland 2025 will support efforts to grow and diversify export markets, inward investment and tourism, as Brexit becomes a reality. It will ensure that Ireland is better positioned...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (23 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 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...

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms Saturday's car bomb in Derry. I spoke to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland yesterday and I offered both our concern and assistance. The police investigation is ongoing to bring to justice those who are behind this act of terrorism. Such violence has been rejected by the people of this island again and again. The group that...

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps Senator McDowell would like to speak for a couple of minutes.

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am afraid there is no filibustering this one. Maybe that should be the new tactic.

Seanad: Government's Brexit Preparedness: Statements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Many questions have been asked. I would like to make a few comments to provide clarity. Some quite generalised statements were made to the effect that we are not sufficiently prepared or that there is not enough detail. I suggest that anyone who has read the document we published on 19 December will see that while it does not have all the answers, it certainly has a lot of detail. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and our EU partners have consistently made clear our view that the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian Territory is illegal under international law, and undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for achieving a durable peace.  The activities to which the Deputy has referred, including forced transfers,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for two Expenditure Votes, Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade. The airline costs incurred by Ministers and staff of the Department, across both Votes, in the year ending 31 December 2018, including in the network of overseas Missions, was €2,650,469. These costs are provisional and subject to audit. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: The effective functioning of a Foreign Ministry requires continuous access to the most up to date international and national news. This is more important than ever in the context of Brexit, on which my Department leads. My officials need timely, accurate information from multiple sources in order to navigate effectively in the highly dynamic and complex environment surrounding Brexit and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected. A no-deal Brexit would mean that on 29 March 2019 the UK's status under EU law would change from that of a Member State to that of a third country with no trade or co-operation agreements in place with the EU.  The transition period, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (22 Jan 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”). The Act provides that a person must, among other things, be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. The Passport Service is obliged to seek evidence of citizenship before a passport application may be processed. Citizenship is in turn determined by...