Results 12,501-12,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As I stated previously, there are sincerely held views on both sides of the argument, including in this House, and we need to respect them on such an emotive and personal issue. For that reason, from my experience, the focus of the "Yes" campaign has been on trying to provide people with facts, ensuring doctors are listened to and addressing the challenge the country faces in this matter....

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are many questions being asked and many questions being answered today in multiple forums, as has been the case in recent weeks, including at Leaders' Questions, the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on Health. We also have a statutory inquiry-----

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My apologies. We have a scoping inquiry under way that will report initially in the first week of June and it will be finalised by the end of June. It will be followed by a statutory inquiry. There is no question that any information or files are going to be hidden from anyone. As Vicky Phelan said yesterday, what is needed is full accountability and that is what is going to be...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is getting a grip of this situation. We are prioritising victims first. That is why we will seek for packages to be put in place for people in a very supportive environment and in a proactive way coming from the HSE as opposed to expecting victims or families to have to seek those packages. For what it is worth, both Stephen Teap and Vicky Phelan spent time last night...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission has been undertaking an investigation since last year. Members will recall that on 4 July 2017, it carried out an unannounced inspection at the premises of companies active in the motor insurance industry in the State. The basis for this inspection was a concern by the Commission that the companies involved may have engaged in anti-competitive practices in breach of...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The role of the CCPC, independent of the Government, is working. That is why it has a live investigation under way. That is the way it should be. If there are concerns about appropriate levels of competition, an independent investigation must happen, separate from the political system or the Government, in a robust manner, which is what is happening now. The recommendations of the cost...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in relation to determining entitlement to Irish citizenship. The volume of applications for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration is particularly high and applications generally take 5-6 months to process, with more complex applications sometimes taking longer. Following receipt of an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: On Sunday, 13 May I hosted Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for a working dinner in Dublin. We discussed the current state of play in the Brexit negotiations and I reiterated our appreciation for the solidarity shown by France on the Irish-specific issues. We took stock of recent developments in the Middle East Peace Process and explored the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In my statement of 6 December I set out the Government’s view of the US decision to move its Embassy to Jerusalem. This was that the announcement was premature and ill-advised, and would be unhelpful to efforts to reach a resolution of the Middle East Peace Process, something which is very urgently needed. I conveyed to the US Government ahead of its announcement my concern about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The United States has begun the process of reimposing those US sanctions on Iran which had been suspended under the nuclear agreement with Iran, the JCPOA, from which the US has regrettably withdrawn. They will come back into force over a period of three to six months. The US Government has also stated an intention to impose additional sanctions. It is difficult to estimate the impact...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together. Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the Troubles is of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, including a specific reference to implementation of the institutional framework on the past, as provided for under the Stormont House...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I am very aware that in the week of the 44th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings that this is hugely sensitive time for the families concerned. That tragic incident saw the biggest loss of life in any single day during the Troubles, as pointed out by the Senator. It is important to acknowledge politicians across the Oireachtas who work...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The honest answer is that I do not know why the requests that have come from the Government on the back of all-party Dáil motions have not been responded to in a more satisfactory way. There is now an opportunity to address the issue. The British Government is moving ahead with a legacy consultation process in Northern Ireland, dealing with very sensitive and difficult cases. That is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Data (16 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals. Information on Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff in missions abroad is set out by grade in the following table: Mission Staff numbers as at 04 May 2018 Abu Dhabi 1 Assistant Secretary - 1 Third Secretary - 6 locally recruited staff Abuja 1 Counsellor - 1 Third...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commencement of Legislation (16 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008 have not yet been commenced. These Sections of the Passports Act, if commenced, would provide that guardians’ consent to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. The commencement of these provisions, including required technology updates, are under active consideration as part...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (16 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I maintain contact with China’s Ambassador to Ireland as I do with all the Ambassadors of foreign states. The Government is strongly committed to further deepening links between Ireland and China at all levels and the Chinese embassy in Dublin plays an important and constructive role in that regard. I meet the Ambassador regularly at...

Palestine: Statements (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do.

Palestine: Statements (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Our foreign policy is to have problems solved through dialogue and engagement, even if it can be a long and frustrating road, our own peace process being a prime example. We should use the lessons we have learned-----

Palestine: Statements (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: -----to ensure engagement remains our focus and we say the honest and hard things when necessary without isolating ourselves or others.

Palestine: Statements (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I wish to begin by expressing, on behalf of the Government, my profound shock at the scale of casualties inflicted by Israeli forces on Palestinian demonstrators yesterday. My thoughts are with the families of those killed, with those who have suffered severe injuries, and with the heroic health workers in Gaza who are working in the most difficult and overwhelming circumstances to save...