Results 12,461-12,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Leaders' Questions (24 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in such a positive way. I reassure the House that the Government recognises the value of BreastCheck and the importance for Irish women of its continued success. BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme and it offers screening mammograms every two years to eligible women. It has been running since 2000 and since then has performed...

Leaders' Questions (24 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy noted, BreastCheck is currently working on an open disclosure policy, to be introduced next year. BreastCheck advised that the NHS breast screening programme introduced open disclosure on a formal basis in the spring of last year. We are learning lessons from that. I believe England is the only country in the world providing open disclosure at that level on the back of all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (24 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 31 on 15 May on this topic, and also to my address to a Topical Issues debate on 9 May and my more detailed statement during Statements on Palestine on 15 May, all dealing specifically with this issue. A central element of my response in those contributions was to call for an...

Topical Issue Debate: Location of Victims' Remains (23 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: On the last point, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, has agreed to look at this issue and is doing so. I am not sure if it is as straightforward as the Deputy has outlined in terms of simply asking people for their permission to waive confidentiality. The Minister is taking legal advice on it. When an investigation happens on the basis of guarantees around confidentiality, it has a standing...

Topical Issue Debate: Location of Victims' Remains (23 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The shooting of Aidan McAnespie in Aughnacloy near a checkpoint just over 30 years ago, in February 1988, was a tragedy for his family and friends. I extend my sympathy to them. I met the family in March to hear their views and concerns and I subsequently directed my officials to raise the matter with the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. Given the great public disquiet on both...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (23 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 84 together. Last week marked the 44th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings, which saw the biggest loss of life in a single day during the Troubles. The Government was represented at the wreath-laying ceremony on 17 May to mark the anniversary of these tragic events by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan T.D....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (23 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 31 on 15 May on this topic, and also to my address to a Topical Issues debate on 9 May and my more detailed statement during Statements on Palestine on 15 May, all dealing specifically with this issue. A central element of my response in those contributions was to call for an independent and transparent investigation of the events in Gaza. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (23 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I continue to engage intensively with my EU counterparts and with the EU Taskforce on Brexit on the ongoing Brexit negotiations, including the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. This included my attendance on 14 May at the General Affairs Council (Article 50), at which Michel Barnier updated the EU27 Member States on the current state of play in the negotiations. The document to...

Order of Business (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: With regard to trade negotiations, the Irish voice is heard very clearly and loudly, particularly when it comes to beef and agriculture.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 112, 116, 118, 120, 123 and 124 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No 31 on 15 May on this topic, and also to my address to a Topical Issues debate on 9 May and my more detailed statement during Statements on Palestine on 15 May, all dealing specifically with this issue. A central element of my response in those contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department supports the continuous learning and development of its officers through the implementation of a broad range of training and professional development programmes. Learning and Development related expenditure in my Department under Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) during 2017 amounted to €608,173 and covered: The provision of training & development courses for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 - International Co-operation. The table sets out the breakdown of travel and subsistence costs across both Votes incurred in the year ending 31December 2017. This does not include the spend on travel by the Department’s overseas Mission network. Expense Type Total - €...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The Department seeks to minimise expenditure on consultants andcommissions external expertise only in areas where highly specialised skills are not available internally. In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed, and continues to inform the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 46 on 17 May on this topic. The Government’s view of the move of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem has been expressed in my statement of 6 December when the decision was announced, in statements at EU level, and in direct contacts with US officials. The US Government is well...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together. The Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices located in in Mount Street, Dublin; Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and South Mall, Cork. My Department continuously monitors the level of passport demand to ensure that all resources are effectively deployed. Occasionally work is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 May 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: Passport Applications Data (22 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. The turnaround timeframe for a passport application will depend, in the first instance, on the channel through which the application was submitted. The Passport Service provides a range of channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport. These include a postal application system, online passport application service, in person...

European Communities (Brexit) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: There has been some progress on those issues, actually.

European Communities (Brexit) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is a negotiation.

European Communities (Brexit) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I shall respond to what has been said and I will also speak about the current state of play in the negotiations. We all have an obligation to be cautious. What we are seeing is a permanent new reality in the relationships between Ireland and the UK and between the UK and the EU. Given the interwoven nature of the relationship between Ireland and Britain, from an economic perspective in...