Results 11,521-11,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. In accordance with “Reaching Out - Guidelines on Consultation for Public Sector Bodies”, and its 2016 successor, “Consultation Principles and Guidance”, my Department undertakes consultation, where appropriate, with citizens in a meaningful and timely manner. The ultimate objective is to ensure better outcomes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department regularly reviews the network of Honorary Consuls and, in the context of making new appointments, it takes into account the need to provide for the welfare of Irish citizens, resident or visiting, as well as the prospect of developing trade and economic relations with the country or region concerned. In principle, I am open to the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Haiti if...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not received a request to send international observers to observe the upcoming elections in Bahrain at this time. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals which can be drawn upon in the event of a request for election observers from the EU or OSCE. In the event that there is a decision to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I remain gravely concerned about the escalating crisis in Yemen and deeply troubled by reports of the threat of famine, of widespread disease, and of violations of basic human rights. After over three years of armed conflict, a stalled peace process and a severe economic decline which has accelerated the collapse of essential basic services and institutions, Yemen is in the grip of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Renovation and building projects for any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are discharged by the Office of Public Works.My Department has not engaged the named company to undertake any work outside the State over the past ten years.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together. The Irish Government, along with our EU partners, has been closely following reports regarding the treatment of the Uighur community and other minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Ireland aligns with the statement issued by the European External Action Service Spokesperson on 26 October, which reiterates the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the past three years, the Ministers of State at my Department have not met nor had correspondence with the named individual. In the course of the work of my Department, there is regular interaction with prominent Irish citizens, including for example at Irish community or other official functions and correspondence can arise in relation to such events. For example, an invitation issued to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that I am fully aware of this difficult and long-running consular case. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing extensive and ongoing consular assistance to this citizen and his family since 2011, including through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi which has been engaging continuously with the local Foreign Ministry and other relevant local...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recent election of Jair Bolsonaro as the next President of Brazil. Officials in my Department in Dublin, at our Embassy in Brasília, and at our Consulate-General in São Paulo have been monitoring political developments closely. It is essential that citizens are able to exercise their democratic right to vote, and I understand that the election took place in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 20 September 2018, I launched the whole-of-Government Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information and outreach campaign, together with Ministers Humphreys and Creed. Building on work that was already underway across Government Departments and Agencies, the campaign aims to provide information to citizens on the current state of play in the negotiations and wider issues that may affect...

Finance Bill 2018: Referral to Select Committee (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Finance Bill 2018: Financial Resolutions (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I move the following Resolutions:THAT section 128F of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which deals with the Key Employee Engagement Programme, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution. THAT Chapter 2 of Part 13 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which contains provisions for treating certain matters...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is not a political decision. It involves criteria that are implemented evenly across the country and schools either qualify or they do not.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: This was undoubtedly a brutal murder that shocked a lot of people and rightly so. It has also shocked an awful lot of journalists who have a job to do in holding governments to account and speaking truth to power. Like many other countries, we want to understand what happened, who was responsible and who sanctioned it. This is why we have asked for a credible and independent report on what...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are many areas of cross-border co-operation linked with cross-border bodies under the Good Friday Agreement and co-operation on an all-island basis. We expect that co-operation to continue through Brexit.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: A communications unit has been set in the Department of Education and Skills specifically yesterday to deal with all of the issues.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will pass on the Deputy's comments with regard to that. The Deputy is asking me to set up a communications unit when one has already been set up.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: With respect, the Deputy's initial focus was on communications, which is the most important focus in order that people know what is happening and can understand timelines around inspections and so on. As a specific unit on communications was set up only yesterday to do that, I expect the Deputy will see a dramatic improvement in communications as a result of that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, has done a lot of good work in this area but I will have to come back to the Deputy on the timelines. The political decisions have already been made in respect of this. It is now a matter of implementation.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I cannot confirm individual projects with regard to capital expenditure for next year but I can certainly pass on that request to the Minister for Health. In respect of Deputy Fitzpatrick's question, he will know there is ongoing discussion and consultation between Louth County Council and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. I was involved in that when I was the...