Results 12,961-12,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The agenda for the next EU Foreign Affairs Council does not include trade ties between the EU and India as a topic for discussion. As such, raising the issue would not be appropriate. The EU-India Strategy will be reviewed in the coming months, so the issue of increasing trade ties between the EU and India will undoubtedly be raised for discussion in due course. Trade issues were discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 165 together. I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and I would like to avail of this opportunity to convey my condolences to the family of the victim. Such acts of violence are entirely unacceptable. I echo the comments of Minister Joe McHugh who, in the course of his recent St. Patrick’s Day visit to Brazil, publicly condemned the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case in question and I understand that proceedings in the Czech Republic have been halted since the individual concerned is no longer in that country. The execution of extradition warrants is a matter for the courts and it would not be appropriate for me, therefore, to comment on the merits of individual cases. The European Union is involved in a process of engagement and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: School Placement (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Officers serving the state abroad may be accompanied by family members on postings and supports are in place to ensure that children of school-going age are in a position to continue their education with minimal disruption. As officers prepare to return from posting, they are on request provided with a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade attesting to their service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and New Zealand has given thousands of young people the opportunity to live and work overseas since its introduction. It is a programme which offers valuable experiences both personally and professionally. The terms and conditions for the programme are well-defined and subject to an international agreement between New Zealand and Ireland. One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides the legal basis for the policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service. Section 10 of the Act broadly provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate. Issuing a passport in a different name is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy Review (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 11 December last year I announced a review of Ireland’s relations with the Federal Republic of Germany and charged our ambassador in Berlin with undertaking the task. My aim in announcing the review was to strengthen this most important of relationships for Ireland both at the bilateral level and in the context of our common EU membership. The review – which began before...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The deterioration of the human rights situation in Bahrain has been the subject of a number of Questions in this House recently, and continues to be of considerable concern. As I have previously outlined, despite repeatedly stating its commitment to improving its human rights record, the Bahraini Government appears to be targeting those who express disagreement with or criticism of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Investigations (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Diplomatic relations with Honduras are maintained through our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and our Embassy in Mexico is not accredited to Honduras.Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade have been closely monitoring developments in Honduras following elections which took place there on 26 November, 2017. Officials have been in contact with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are considerable and well-known sensitivities in relation to the position of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, and also to the Holy Places of Christians, Jews and Muslims, especially in and around Jerusalem. Concerns around these issues have led to significant tensions and even violence in recent years, which we have discussed in the Oireachtas. The issues involved can...

Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are increasing the number of training places for GPs and we are seeing a gradual increase in that area. An engagement involving the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation on general practitioner contractual issues, such as FEMPI, is expected to resume next month. The Minister wants to speak directly to GPs on the issue.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: This is primarily a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He brought in a fodder transport scheme to respond to the very wet weather. There is enough fodder in Ireland - it is about moving it around and getting it to the farms which need it and that is why transport costs were the focus. If farmers are in extreme circumstances and there are animal welfare...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We do not have a date for that Bill yet but I will try to get back to the Deputy on it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister, Deputy Creed, is looking at the issue but he has not come back to Government with recommendations on it yet. It is a complex issue because some people had physical damage to polytunnels and others damage to crops, and it is difficult to put together a package that does not set an inappropriate precedent for loss of crops.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As regards the ESRI report, such reports are helpful, but they must also be put in context. The ESRI looked at a worst case scenario and outlined the possible cost to the citizens of Ireland.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is doing so. We are planning, as we must, for a worst case scenario, but we also negotiating on a best case scenario. It is important that we do not allow a narrative to develop that this is the likely outcome of Brexit because that is not the case.

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: We must ensure we will prepare for all scenarios, as we are doing. We have asked all Departments to give us feedback on the preparations they believe are necessary to deal with the worst case scenarios. I am unsure if it would be helpful to publish that feedback which I have not yet read, but I am happy to brief other political parties on it. We must make a judgment call on what is helpful...