Results 13,341-13,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (6 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are no secondees from the companies named in the Deputy’s question working in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (6 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: This issue was raised in the media this morning. Coillte has accepted that it has issues to address. The vast majority of forestry and farm partnerships that involve Coillte appear to working well but some farmers have questions that require answers from Coillte. As I understand it, there was an acceptance from Coillte this morning that it needs to address those issues quickly and I expect...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: On the formal ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for which Deputy Ó Caoláin and many others in this House have been asking for quite some time, it will be ratified in the next few weeks and there will be an opportunity at that point to make contributions. The Government is conscious that there is an obligation to follow through on some of...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Work on them is progressing.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy McLoughlin for his question which is related to my own policy brief area. We have a very ambitious plan to expand Ireland's diplomatic network globally. In the last budget, we announced the opening of a number of embassies and consulates and new staff postings in some of our existing and strategically important embassies, particularly in the European Union. There will be a...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: The answer to the Deputy's question is, "Yes".

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: I think there might be other Deputies with the same issue.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Creed, and I have all been very vocal on this issue, as has the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has specific concerns relating to beef. We are the largest beef exporter in the northern hemisphere. The EU's market for beef is crucial for us in the future. Any trade deal negotiated and finalised by the EU is one we are watching closely. No final deal has been agreed to my understanding. Ireland and other countries, particularly France, have raised concerns about the sensitive...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Schools that have been affected by the liquidation of this company, which is involved in a number of public private partnerships, need to get certainty as soon as possible. The public private contracts include detailed provisions that apply in the event of the liquidation of a consortium member to ensure the completion of the projects. We are waiting for a plan to see that through to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: The issues with competition from online shopping and commercial rates are separate to procurement.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Our job as a Government is to try to provide as business-friendly an environment for SMEs to grow and expand as possible. By and large, that is working well. SMEs are growing, expanding and employing many more people now than they were last year, the year before or the year before that. Things are moving in the right direction. On the specific question on a procurement ombudsman, I will...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy might know, the Government launched a white collar crime package which involves a number of Bills. Some will come before this House so there will be an opportunity to expand on the concerns the Deputy has outlined.

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: More than €2.5 million was provided in 2017 for a range of projects in the key areas of crime, drugs, education, training and employment opportunities, services for families and young people, and, of course, physical improvements to infrastructure in the community. The Deputy referred to the North-South aspect. It is probably true to say there has never been better co-operation...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is why we have north-east inner city initiative to ask those questions constantly every month and to liaise with Government and Departments on it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: Farmers, fishermen, business people and so on want to see us negotiating solutions to the concerns they may have on Brexit. We have actually published a series of reports on Brexit. Some of them are linked to specific areas and others are more general. More reports will be published. I think one will come out towards the end of next month. It will be an independent report. The level...

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains very committed to delivering on the commitment and promise of rolling out high-speed broadband to every business and home in the country. We will put significant public resources into ensuring that happens.

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not have the answer to that question, but I can get it for the Deputy. I absolutely support what he said on the need to raise awareness and the need to debunk myths on the use of vaccines. We need to remind parents and young women that vaccination offers real protection and it is something that everybody should think about. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has been very vocal on the issue...