Results 11,681-11,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----it is not appropriate for a Minister to discuss the detail of any procurement process or bidding process while that tendering process is ongoing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Howlin will be aware from his time in government that this bidding process has been ongoing for over three years. It has involved multiple different players in the Irish telecommunications industry. The idea that the Minister with responsibility for telecommunications would not have had discussions with the head of Vodafone, Eir or others-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----over the past three years, because this tendering process has involved some of their companies, is not realistic.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: They are crystal clear. It is inappropriate for a Minister to discuss the detail of a procurement process or a bid in the context of that Minister's Department assessing that bid. It is important to say that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has nothing to do with the assessment process of the bid in technical terms.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister's responsibility is to come to Government for funding requests and to ensure that the process remains on track and on time. He has no role in terms of finalising the recommendation in regard to the bidding process. There needs to be, and has been, a separation between the Minister and his office and what is being assessed by the Department.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: For reasons that I have outlined, namely, this has been a long procurement and tendering process that has involved multiple players in the telecommunications industry in Ireland. As Minister with responsibility for telecommunications, Deputy Naughten would have been at events where-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: For much of this process, there was not a lead bidder. Two other-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----companies were part of this process but pulled out. There is one remaining bidder. It would be, and is, inappropriate for a Minister to discuss with this bidder any detail that relates to the bidding process or the procurement process.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister, Deputy Naughten, wants an opportunity to come before this House to explain that he maintained a separation between both processes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: First, I am glad to put on the record the process that is under way to ensure the approximately 500,000 properties that will be unable to get high-speed broadband through normal commercial channels will be able to get it through a national broadband scheme which the Government is determined to deliver. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has advised that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: First, I spoke to the Minister this morning. I rang him and he rang me back. It was a relatively brief conversation. I asked him to outline the detail for me, some of which the Deputy has asked about, and he did that. I expect that there will be no problem with publishing minutes of meetings. He has done that in respect of the minutes relating to the dinner in New York. The Minister...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy asked a lot of questions - a lot of good questions. I caution against people taking their lead in respect of these negotiations from media reports today. There have been intensive efforts this week by both negotiating teams to try to find a way forward. As Mr. Michel Barnier said yesterday, the vast majority of the text of the withdrawal treaty has been agreed. That is not new;...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are engaged in ongoing communication with the DUP. Sometimes it involves direct meetings, sometimes back channels, and sometimes officials talking to one another. I have always said, however, that we talk to and consult all parties in Northern Ireland, not just one. We need to listen to all their concerns. The DUP is a very important voice in Northern Ireland but it does not represent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Since the Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive. Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. The absence of the...

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (10 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on budget 2019 and its implications for the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Votes 27 and 28. As Tánaiste and Minister with responsibility for co-ordinating the Government’s response on Brexit I would like to outline what budget 2019 means in terms of Ireland's readiness for Brexit and whatever it may bring....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. I am aware of reports that prisoners in Bahrain have been denied adequate healthcare in prison. Ireland attaches great importance to safeguarding the human rights of all prisoners, with due regard for the international standards enshrined in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. As I have stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has no Embassy in the Philippines and no Irish officials working there. The Embassy of Ireland to Singapore is currently accredited on a non-residential basis to the Philippines. You will be aware, however, that the Government announced in June this year the opening of a new Embassy in the Philippines as part Global Ireland 2025. The new mission will be operational by the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 30 September, Macedonian citizens had the opportunity to vote on the Prespa Agreement, which was signed on 17 June by the Greek and Macedonian Foreign Ministers and proposes changing the name of the country to the Republic of North Macedonia, potentially ending a dispute between the two neighbours that has lasted for decades. I want to commend those who voted in the consultative...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s candidacy was announced in 2005. The campaign leading up to 2020 is already well under way. I am using every opportunity during bi-lateral contacts and meetings to press the value of Ireland playing a strong and independent role on the Council. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.60 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €9.60 per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.20 per...