Results 13,701-13,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Niamh Smyth for her question. Last Friday was a crucial moment in the negotiations and a good day for Ireland, North and South. The Government’s long-standing goals in the context of ensuring that the Good Friday Agreement, in all its parts, and North South co-operation will be protected and in maintaining the common travel area were secured. Crucially, in the...

Other Questions: Brexit Negotiations (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I agree with everything the Deputy said. The Border counties are in many ways uniquely affected by Brexit. The Border between Ireland and Northern Ireland will effectively become the land border between the European Union and the United Kingdom. That has created a lot of concern and has given rise to many questions and much anger in Border counties. That is why the Government took the...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not believe that such language is helpful to what we are trying to do. Israel is a state that has a right to exist. It has a right to defend itself and look after legitimate security concerns in a part of the world that is very unstable.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: In my view, Palestinians also have a right to a state. Much of their land is occupied at the moment.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: We need to try to move forward a process that treats both sides with equal respect, one that allows for a situation whereby the legitimate concerns of Palestinian people are addressed. We need to see addressed the misery that many Palestinians live in today, especially the humanitarian challenges they face in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. That is why the international community,...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not accept that the two-state solution is now dead. That would be an extraordinarily negative message to send to Palestinians and Israelis for that matter, many of whom I have spoken to. Many Israelis want a lasting peaceful solution and are committed to a two-state solution. The actions of the Israeli Government, especially in the context of settlements, the expansion of...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I believe in trying to get a political result that works for everyone rather than grandstanding.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: What we are trying to do within the European Union is get unity and consensus. We have unity and consensus on settlements and a two-state solution. We have consensus on continuing to put pressure on Israel to ensure it comes to the negotiating table. We will continue to do that in an effort to try to get an outcome that is fair to Israelis and Palestinians. That is what we are working...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I agree with that. There are differing views within the European Union, which is why the EU high representative has looked to try to find common ground on certain issues. That is the reason the Israeli Prime Minister got a clear message when most of the Ministers were in attendance on Monday morning. The European Union is united in its concern around the continued expansion of settlements....

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Viktor Orbán was not there. The issue is how we move forward a process that can result in a two-state solution as opposed simply to making criticisms and protests. That is where there is a difference between politicians and NGOs in terms of what we need to try to do. NGOs have legitimate concerns and need to raise legitimate issues. I am a politician representing the Irish...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: The EU keeps the impact of sanctions under constant review and will consider options to mitigate any unintended consequences which can be documented relating directly to the measures themselves as distinct from more general economic disruption caused by the conflict. For example, in 2016, the EU amended the Syrian sanctions regime to make it easier for NGOs operating in Syria to buy fuel....

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: Lessons have been learned from the sanctions regime in Iraq. I do not disagree with the Deputy on that. The sanctions against Syria are much more targeted than that but I reiterate the idea that we would send a signal by removing sanctions now, effectively saying that we accept that the Assad regime should not be targeted in any way politically, would give the wrong signal in the context of...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have no problem with it being grouped.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: It is not my call, Deputy.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: All the issues relate to Jerusalem. Deputy Crowe's question has an added dimension, the recognition of the state of Palestine, which is presumably why it was not grouped, but I am happy to take them together.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: There is no Question No. 50 included.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not think Question No. 50 was in the group.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not think Question No. 50 is in the grouping. It is not in my brief.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 36 together. On the US announcement, and the Government's position, I refer Deputies to my reply a few minutes ago to Priority Question No. 28, as well as to the statement which I issued on behalf of the Government on 6 December. I will not repeat my earlier reply but will add the following. The decision by the United States and its...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: That may be the view of the Deputy and others but the international consensus on this issue is clear that the most viable way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side is in the context of a two-state solution. The Government supports that, the EU supports it and it has been the subject of many debates, conclusions and resolutions in the UN. It is what we would like to see. The...