Results 12,521-12,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 58 together. I must correct the Deputy as Ireland has not deferred anything and nor has the Government. We are trying to secure a deal as quickly as we can. In December, we had was a clear commitment on the outcome needed in respect of the process of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. We now have an agreement, which was reached in...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is correct that a backstop is normally something one implements if nothing else can be agreed. What we have achieved in these negotiations is an acceptance from the United Kingdom and European Union sides that we would agree the backstop first, if one likes, because we will not know what the final deal looks like until the future relationship negotiations have been completed. It...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy raises an important issue. The future relationship will not be agreed by the end of October. The detail of the future relationship agreement will not be agreed before Britain leaves the European Union. The full length of the transition period will still be a negotiation around what the final future relationship looks like post-transition. However, the withdrawal agreement needs...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not know whether Deputy Boyd Barrett has ever met the Israeli Prime Minister. I respectfully suggest that the Deputy has no clue what I am talking to Mr. Netanyahu about. Anyway, we have an obligation as politicians to find ways of protecting Palestinians and to recognise the legitimate security concerns of Israelis too. Most important, we have an obligation to find a way of moving...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Crowe for raising this issue. It is an atrocity. I welcome the report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The report was prepared in accordance with the UNAMA Security Council mandate. It has the broader aim of minimising the impact of armed conflict on civilians. Independent and impartial monitoring of incidents involving loss of life or injury...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The incident took place in the wider context of a continuing deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan. Conflict-related civilian deaths in the first quarter of 2018 are especially alarming. The largest single spike in civilian casualties occurred during a ten-day period in January when Taliban and Daesh forces separately attached numerous targets in Kabul killing more than 140...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I accept that. Attacks in recent months have been especially devastating and relentless. In January, the Taliban conducted two attacks. One was on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel and the other involved an ambulance suicide bomb. Of particular concern is the rising influence of Daesh in the region. The group claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on 21 March near the shrine in...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Depending on the case, it is sometimes helpful to raise international voices. However, sometimes it can put people at risk. Human rights defenders are sometimes difficult to defend because if one raises their profile, they are targeted more. Other times, raising their profile can protect them. I take it that because the Deputy raised this case, she feels it would be helpful for us to...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not disagree with anything that has been said. The challenge for the international community, particularly through UN structures, is the sheer number of countries which the UN is trying to influence positively at the same time. There are so many conflict zones and governments which are not fulfilling their obligations under international law and so forth. This case has been raised by...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I wish to begin by expressing my profound shock at the scale of casualties inflicted by Israeli forces on Palestinian demonstrators yesterday. Even if some demonstrators yesterday were using violence, there is no indication of anything which could possibly have justified this scale of shootings by Israeli troops, and many specific attested shootings were clearly indefensible. This has to...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Who has been on to the Deputy?

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy should at least know that there is not a unified approach across the European Union in terms of how to put pressure on Israel to change its approach in certain areas. We have is a clear policy statement from all the EU member states which is clear on settlements, the need for a two-state solution and concerns about living conditions in Gaza. Beyond that, it is difficult to get...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: On what we publish and do not publish, I am happy to meet the Brexit spokespeople from each party or the party leaders to give them a very detailed briefing on all the work we have been doing in terms of contingency. For some of the work we have been doing, I do not think it is helpful to put it into the public domain. I certainly do not want to create an expectation that this is what is...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: With respect, I do not think the Deputy has been talking to me enough. I have been crystal clear in respect of the Border. Every time I speak in the media or privately in terms of briefings and stakeholders' groups, we have made it crystal clear that we cannot support any solution that is going to reintroduce physical border infrastructure onto this island. I regularly visit Northern...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for bringing this case to my attention. My understanding is that the individual referred to by the Deputy was released on parole on Saturday, 5 May and now awaits trial. I have asked officials of my Department to continue to monitor this case. The human rights situation in Honduras is a cause of deep concern. I echo the statement made on 12 March by the United Nations...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: We have made it very clear that there will be no withdrawal agreement without a backstop on the Border issue. I think that is accepted by the British Government. If there is no withdrawal agreement, there will be no formal agreement on transition and no agreement in a range of other areas. Much of the text of the draft withdrawal agreement that the European Union has provided is agreed to...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I think what I am saying is relevant because the context in which I am speaking is the conversations that have taken place with Michael Barnier, but it is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's call.

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are going through a very delicate and serious period of negotiation. I do not say lightly that there will be no withdrawal treaty without a backstop. That is the position of the EU side because that is what the United Kingdom has signed up to. If we are not going to follow through on what we have committed to in the negotiations, we have to ask where are we going. Ireland needs a...

Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My apologies. Questions Nos. 29, 33, 37 and 48 are being taken together.