Results 1,701-1,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Phelan. I know the Deputy feels strongly about this issue as he and I have spoken about a number of times. We are using every opportunity we can to raise our concerns directly with the Iranian Government and also in multilateral forums in relation to what is currently happening in Iran. There has been a violent crackdown on protesters and we have seen loss of life in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: We have supported two new rounds of sanctions over the past number of weeks that have been agreed at an EU level.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: On the question, if I can-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We agreed as a Government in 2021 to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran. We have been in the German Embassy since then with a chargé d'affaires. We are looking at the appropriateness of opening an embassy again next year. We had an embassy up to 2012. We are watching very closely political developments in Iran before finalising that decision.

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Sorry, what report is the Senator referring to? Is it the independent review?

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I hope so.

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I, too, welcome Mr. Flaherty back to this House. He is somebody who kept us safe and in order here for most of my political life in these Houses. It is great to see John with this colleagues here.

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: And the students of Trinity College, absolutely.

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: First of all, I am glad to be able to respond myself today to this debate and to have been here in person through the debate to listen to the various different arguments and perspectives. As we all know, the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, the decisions by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership, and the...

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: If I may interrupt, I am in an awkward situation because there is a vote on the Finance Bill ongoing in the Dáil and the numbers are tight. What is the precedent for dealing with that?

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: If the Senator wants to keep going, I will stay as long as I can.

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I remain seriously concerned by the designation by Israel of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organisations, including Irish Aid and EU partner organisations, as terrorist entities, and the raids that were carried out against these organisations by Israeli security forces in August. I am aware of images of an Irish flag which circulated on social media following the raid on the premises of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Council of Europe (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. Ireland assumed the rotating Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May at a point of profound crisis on our continent and challenge for the organisation, as it responded to the invasion of Ukraine and consequent expulsion of the Russian Federation as a member state. Within this context, our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that this issue has been raised in a number of reports from UN Rapporteurs and from civil society organisations, of which I have taken careful note. Ireland’s focus is on seeking to change the reality on the ground and to encourage a process that can deliver a two-State solution, which is the Government's priority. I have been forthright in expressing concern...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (23 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Following Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, a conference was organised by the United States to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 26 April. This was the first meeting of what became known as the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which Ireland, along with a number of other countries, was subsequently invited to join. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: There were many sides to that dirty war. It was not just one side. Our focus now has to be on trying to be positive about getting to solutions. That is my focus and the Taoiseach's focus. There is not a proposed deal from Prime Minister Sunak. There has been a variety of commentary about Swiss-style arrangements and so forth, much of which is not accurate. Time and space are required...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I agree. I have been holding the line on this issue because I believe that not to do so would be to dishonour the commitments we have made to victims on all sides. I have repeatedly said to victims' families that we cannot support legislation that shuts off the opportunity to take a case should there be an evidence base that allows for that to happen in the future. The idea that we would...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: On behalf of the Government, I would like to work with the British Government, victims' groups and political parties to ensure we could have an approach to legacy that involved the provision of information, the taking of cases and cross-Border co-operation on the island and in Great Britain in order that we could respond to the concerns expressed by many in the unionist community regarding...