Results 81-100 of 40,850 for speaker:Simon Coveney

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising the question but, as I think she probably knows, I cannot commit to funding for an individual project. I will certainly pass the question on to the Department of Health and the HSE which can respond to the Deputy directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: There are a number of questions there but they are all very relevant. I am glad to hear the Deputy recognising that we are making progress in the context of agriculture and energy. On construction, we discussed that in Cabinet today, that is, the use of modern methods of construction, MMC, in the building of social housing, so that the Government can lead by example in this. There is a lot...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I will have to check that for the Deputy. I was in Cabinet today and do not recall any discussion on that issue. I will make sure I check because if it is being raised by the Deputy it is obviously an issue about which people are concerned. I will try to come back and clarify that issue as quick as we can. I will check with the Department of Health.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: Will the Deputy put some of those questions in writing to me? My understanding is that student accommodation is covered by the limitations to increases within rent pressure zones. If that is not being abided by, we will have to look into it. I am not familiar with the individual case in Galway referred to by the Deputy but even if a premises has been renovated, that does not mean it is a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I know the Deputy appreciates this area, as do others in this House, and he knows the waters of the south-west coast of Ireland pretty well, some of which need to be protected. The Government is committed to this. I have been told that drafting is under way. It is being prioritised and is scheduled to be published this session. It is a complex area though and is not as straightforward as...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: The waiving of development charges and the cost of getting water connections for developers has been very successful. It has certainly accelerated developments that otherwise might not have been viable financially. Obviously, the Government needs to consider the question the Deputy is asking, but it has not made a decision on that yet. That approach has worked in terms of delivering more...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I am not sure why that meeting tomorrow has been postponed. I will try to get that information for the Deputy. My understanding is the Minister is engaging with banks, in particular, to try to ensure homeowners are getting fair treatment. I will get the Minister to come back with a more specific answer for the Deputy because I do not want to give him a bland answer.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. As he knows, I am pretty familiar with that part of Cork. There has been enormous damage since the floods happened a number of months ago. We tried to put the largest ever funding package in place to support businesses that have been hit by effectively redesigning a new scheme for extreme flood damage. However, there is, of course, significant...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: We have not accepted that we will fail to meet targets for 2025. There is an enormous effort across government, in virtually every Department, to-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: Yes, the independent experts have said that targets will be difficult to meet, but we are not at 2025 yet. It is up to the Government to accelerate delivery as regards climate action, which is exactly what we are setting about doing. We have broken it up sector by sector. A lot of those targets are difficult to meet, but the Government has been transparent about how we will go about this....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. This is a very positive story. The Government announced a significant funding package of €600 million as part of the A5 north-west transport corridor, which is going to be of major benefit to Northern Ireland but which will also connect Donegal with Dublin and the east coast. That is a project we have been committed to, as the Deputy...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: -----and beginning work on Casement Park, which I hope will be upgraded shortly. This is a good example of how the Irish and British Governments can work together with the Executive in Northern Ireland and the Ministers there to make things happen in a way that, perhaps, was not possible a few months ago when we did not have an Executive. Let us try to reinforce the positivity that marked...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: The sooner that happens, the better.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: Of course I am aware of the tragic death of a 16-year-old in Limerick accident and emergency on 29 January. I express my sincere condolences to the family at what is a very tragic time. The HSE has carried out a preliminary assessment in accordance with its policy and procedure. The outcome of full HSE assessment is awaited. I cannot really comment further, as I think the Deputy will...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: First, I want to be associated with the statements which were made in expressing condolences with the family of Michael O'Regan. I have been in this House for nearly 26 years and he has been a feature of political commentary all of that time and longer. He was a great storyteller, someone with a great sense of humour, someone who loved an argument but who also listened to other people's...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is more disciplined than we are anyway.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I am very pleased to have an opportunity to speak on recent developments in Northern Ireland and the opportunities that now arise for more collaboration, cross-Border trade and political co-operation on many levels. The restoration of the assembly and the executive is an extremely welcome development for Northern Ireland but also for the island as a whole and for British-Irish relations. We...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am very aware of the pressures that some small and medium-sized businesses are under, in particular in food hospitality and in certain types of retail. That is why we insisted at budget time that we would set aside more than €250 million to support 143,000 businesses across the country. That is 95% of all rate-paying businesses. They...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (14 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: IDA Ireland has over 1,800 client companies within its portfolio employing 300,583 as at the end of 2023, with employment levels above 300,000 for the second consecutive year. 248 investments were won in 2023, 83 of which were new name investments. Balanced regional development remains a priority for IDA Ireland. There were 132 investments secured across regional locations during 2023,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (14 Feb 2024)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 123 to 125, inclusive, together. I recognise the issues faced by all sectors of the economy due to rising costs, including SMEs operating in the hospitality sector. A variety of supports have been made available to businesses in recent years, including through the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), the Business Users Support Scheme for...