Results 12,641-12,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am grateful to Senator Ó Donnghaile for raising this important matter. Last week, I had an opportunity to brief the Dáil on my engagement regarding Mr. Taylor's case. I assure the House that my officials have been engaging with this matter on an ongoing basis. The background to the Tony Taylor case is that he is from Derry and in recent years was a member of a dissident...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is important to put this case in context. It is also appropriate in this debate that we call on all dissident republican groups that have not yet done so to renounce violence and commit to exclusively democratic means of pursuing their political aims. I pay tribute to An Garda Síochána for its ongoing work in dealing with the threat posed by dissident republican groups. On the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I met with UK Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Lidington, during his visit to Dublin in April. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office often deputises for the Prime Minister, it is appropriate for me to routinely meet Minister Lidington to discuss issues of importance to both Governments. Although the Minister for the Cabinet Office does not have lead responsibility for Brexit,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 107 together. Following on from the March European Council, the EU and UK agreed to five additional formal rounds of negotiations between April and the next European Council in June. These negotiations are focused on all outstanding issues in the draft Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 108 together. The Taoiseach and I met with Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator for the Article 50 negotiations, on 30 April in advance of his address to the All-Island Civic Dialogue. Our meeting offered an opportunity to take stock of the current state of play in the negotiations on both the future relationship and the draft Withdrawal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (8 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan...

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has been speaking to Opposition to spokespersons and to our own Deputies in respect of the tagging and, therefore, I will leave that to him. However, I recognise the difficulties the farming community has had. This has been one of the worst winters and springs that I can remember and the Minister is working hard to ensure that all payments due are released without delay. A...

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is a relevant issue but it probably comes under the remit of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs rather than the Minister for Health. I am informed by the Minister for Health that he will liaise with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and revert to the Deputy on this.

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is anxious to move on with the public consultation process regarding new guidelines. The public will have a say and we will move as quickly as we can to make sure new comprehensive guidelines are put in place before the end of the year.

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: That sounds like a very difficult case. The Data Protection Bill has reached Committee Stage. It was debated yesterday and will be debated again today. Therefore, there is an opportunity for parties or individuals to raise specific cases to ensure the new legislation will deal some of the issues that have been raised.

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I know Bere Island very well as I travel there every summer. The Government has invested heavily on the island, including in water and electricity infrastructure and a new pier. Millions of euro have been spent because we appreciate and recognise the role of island communities off west Cork, as well as other island communities off the west and north-west coasts. If there are issues with...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy who has referred to a number of threats to Irish farmers, but there is also a good news story for Irish agriculture. We are seeing Irish beef entering the Chinese market after years of laying the foundations. We have seen a series of new trade deals signed up to by the European Union that are very positive for Irish agriculture. For example, the opportunities for the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am told that the Bill was brought forward during the term of the previous Government. It was not reinstated on the list of legislation to be brought forward by the Government, but I can get back to the Deputy with more details. My understanding is it is not on any list for consideration.

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Questions on Promised Legislation (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is a very fair request. I met the organisations yesterday. It was not the first time I had met the rights commissioners on both sides of the Border. There is a great deal of concern in Northern Ireland in the context of a multitude of rights people enjoy today because of EU membership and the clarity provided, for example, by the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The uncertainty...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Those in charge of CervicalCheck have been moved aside. It now has a new management team on the instruction of the Minister. The management team-----

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I ask the Deputy to listen to the answer. The management team reports on a daily basis to the director of the HSE, who now reports daily to the Minister in regard to progress on this issue. The Minister is taking a hands-on approach to progressing the issue properly. As regards a lack of information, much of the information given to the House by the Minister as matters unfolded over the...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is why if what the Deputy stated is correct------

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: ------that will be confirmed by an independent statutory inquiry and we will be able to make informed choices and learn lessons on that basis to put new systems in place to ensure there is no repeat of the events of the past seven days.

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I suspect we will debate the CAP budget issue on many occasions in the House between now and the decisions being finalised. The Commission has set out its opening position, which recognises that in the absence of member states being willing to increase their contributions, there will be a €12 billion reduction in the EU budget because of Brexit. In that context, the priority is the...