Results 12,761-12,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will have an opportunity to come back. I just asked the Minister about the issue of other calls and he said there are none that he is aware of. The telephone call was one that the Minister took. He had no idea what it was going to be about so he could not have not taken it in the first place.

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has made clear he regrets having had the conversation that took place but what we should be assessing here on the basis of what he said clearly last night, and again today, is whether information was given on the basis of his having had knowledge about facts that were not publicly available. I do not believe that is the case. Therefore, the only certainty that came from this...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: He has, of course, said he felt the likely scenario was that it may end up in the BAI. Most people following the story would accept that was not news to anybody. How that conversation was then interpreted by the lobbyist concerned is a matter for them. We have to judge the Minister on the basis of the facts as we know them in terms of what took place in the conversation.

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Much of that is very fair comment. There is certainly no sense that we are trying to trivialise anything. It was an important process. When the phone call took place though, the Minister's element of that process had not begun. That is the point I am making. He did not have any inside knowledge one way or the other and did not even know that the CCPC had made a ruling, which had been...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has answered that question and I agree with him.

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: He said this morning that he does sincerely regret expressing a view on it, but he is absolutely clear that he said he would abide by the recommendation of his officials. The Deputy's claim that he gave an indication of how he would proceed needs to be put in the context that he made it clear he would proceed on the basis of the recommendations from the Department and the officials. He gave...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Nobody is turning a blind eye to anything. That is why the Minister was before the House last night, answering questions and making a statement to clarify what happened. We are here talking about it, taking questions on it, as the Taoiseach was yesterday, and we are providing answers. Yes, I do have confidence in the Minister. I have known Deputy Naughten for 20 years. I know him as a...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are two issues. The first is whether this conversation should have taken place, and the Minister regrets that it did. The second is whether that conversation constituted the Minister giving any inappropriate information to the lobbyist concerned, and I do not believe it did.

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: He made a comment, without knowing any more facts. He knew fewer facts than the lobbyist concerned in respect of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, ruling. Later, when he was asked in this Chamber for a response on this issue, it was under consideration in the Department, he was aware of the process and he had been informed on it. He could not of course give an...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, made himself available yesterday when he made a very clear statement and answered questions for over an hour. The statement and questions, combined, lasted for an hour. He has given a comprehensive explanation of what happened. He made it clear this morning that he regretted the conversation. There is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Enlargement remains an important policy for the future stability of the European Union and its neighbouring countries. Enhancing the European perspective of the Western Balkans is a key strategic priority for the Bulgarian Presidency. The Strategy for the Western Balkans was published by the European Commission on 6 February. It confirmed the European perspective of the region and set out an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and of its importance for human rights defenders who are working in the field of environmental and indigenous rights in Honduras. I am also aware of the difficult situation which currently pertains for human rights defenders in Honduras more generally. Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met just last week in Dublin with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Speech (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The legislation to which the Deputy refers is an amendment to Poland’s Act on the Institute of National Remembrance – Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation Act – which criminalises public claims of responsibility or co-responsibility by the Polish nation or the Republic of Poland for Nazi crimes. The amendment was signed by the President of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers, as well as other difficulties faced by human rights defenders in Mexico. Our Embassy in Mexico City is monitoring developments in this particular case. In addition, I understand that this matter has already been raised by members of the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee, including through submissions to President Enrique Peña...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.70 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €8.9per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.70 per...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. Over the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are the best means for achieving accountable,...

Seanad: Northern Ireland and 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Statements (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to participate in the Seanad statements on Northern Ireland as we mark and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I welcome that this House is taking the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which comes at another critical time for Northern Ireland. Twenty years on, it is important that everyone should recognise...

Seanad: Northern Ireland and 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Statements (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: What strikes me about this debate is the unity of purpose across different political parties. I am glad to say that no one is taking the opportunity to be unnecessarily provocative here, and it is always easy to be that way when we talk about Northern Ireland. I thank everybody for their contributions, which I think were thoughtful. It is true to say that at times in England there are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I was delighted to welcome Heiko Maas, the new German Minister for Foreign Affairs to Dublin on 12 April, less than a month after his appointment as foreign minister. We had a warm and constructive meeting. Germany is a hugely influential EU member state. It is Ireland’s fourth largest goods trading partner and our third most important tourism market. Having excellent working relations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: While the UK’s decision to leave the EU has serious implications for Ireland, we maintain a strong and constructive bilateral relationship with the UK. We are fully committed to developing and enhancing this relationship over the coming years. Additionally, we will work to secure the closest possible positive relationship between the UK and the European Union. There are already a...