Results 12,001-12,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: For the purposes of clarity, I understand I cannot speak on the Bill, which is why I am speaking now.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are 15 minutes available for debating the Bill. This is effectively the debate on the Bill.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Acting Chairman for that. Ireland has been a successful advocate for EU efforts on the Middle East, including on settlements. Ireland played a central role in achieving many of the EU measures on settlements, such as product labelling guidelines. There are also differentiated EU tariffs at EU level for goods coming from settlements and Israel. We were among the first advocates...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are trying. I will address that because I believe we have the potential to influence. I also reiterate the point I made here in January about what Ireland can do to be of practical help to Palestinians in ways that make fewer headlines than this Bill does, but which will change the position on the ground. I have invested a great deal of time and effort in the last year in establishing...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: No. Let me answer that.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Senators will have an opportunity to have their say.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is true that certain solar panel and energy projects in Gaza have been frustrated by the Israeli side. However, we have negotiated with the Israelis to be able to build a solar project in a no-go security zone controlled by Israel, next to the wall in Gaza. This will be a €10 million, 10 MW project, which will power a water purification plant funded by France.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: These are the kinds of projects we can deliver through engagement that make a practical difference to people's lives. That is what I am interested in. We are also advancing an expanded programme for scholarships for Palestinians. We continue to advocate strongly for a commercial port for Gaza in the medium to longer term and have placed the issue of pre-checking goods in the EU - in Cyprus...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: On a point of clarification, the State did not expel the Russian ambassador at any point. It is important in a debate of this import for us to be accurate. We have just heard a series of inaccuracies from the latest speaker.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is no need to exaggerate for effect on something of this import.

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Thank you. That gives me more time than I thought I would have. I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. I also thank Senator Black and the other co-sponsors of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 for facilitating it. When we debated this issue in January, it was agreed by everybody that we would extend the debate and resume it in July before the...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Statements (Resumed) (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Some of the conversations we had were powerful ones, given Senator Norris's 40 years of experience going back and forth to Israel and to occupied territories. What I would say to Palestinians who are listening is that they have a very powerful voice in this House and in our Lower House as well across the political parties, my own included, who will continue to speak up and advocate for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (11 Jul 2018)

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 that was 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: Ministerial Advisers Data (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a dedicated Communications Unit that employs 19 Civil Servants covering, inter alia, press relations and public outreach. In addition there are currently two Special Advisors employed by my Department who, along with other duties, advise on media matters. Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Advisor and Communications Director. Mr. Donoghue is employed at Principal Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Development Plan Funding (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. Under the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, it is proposed that my Department will have a capital allocation of €17 million in 2019, across its two Votes: Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade. This would represent an increase of €4m on the 2018 capital allocation. I can confirm to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a capital allocation in the 2018 Revised Estimates of €13 million across its two Votes (Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade). The June 2018 Fiscal Monitor, to which the Deputy refers, compares expenditure to end-June 2018 with the profiles of expenditure provided by the Department to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: Work has begun on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic network following the launch of “Global Ireland” on 11 June. The locations for new missions agreed by Government were identified on the basis of maximising impact in promoting Ireland’s economic and political interests; expanding our influence in terms of values and in delivering clear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Supports (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the significant and unique impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role. This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent follow on contacts. Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (11 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: In general terms, all of our diplomatic Missions across the EU and further afield are working on the issue of the UK’s decision to exit from the EU. Additional posts have been filled for our Embassies in London, Berlin, and Paris and the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels. As part of Global Ireland 2025, we will set up new consulates in Frankfurt...