# Simon Coveney
This year
2023
Coveney to recuse himself from RTÉ Cabinet discussions due to brother's previous role on board
The minister’s brother Rory Coveney stepped down from RTÉ’s Executive Board with immediate effect on Sunday.
No evidence that Irish supermarkets are engaging in price gouging, report finds
The consumer protection watchdog compiled the report after Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney wrote to them about the grocery retail sector.
Finance Minister wants 'prudent' Budget as Taoiseach seeks threshold for higher tax rate at €50k
Michael McGrath said his “overarching priorities” for the budget include the protection of living standards.
'Definitely not fair': Varadkar rejects claims that his leadership of Fine Gael is in 'drift'
Minister Simon Harris said criticisms of Varadkar’s leadership were “simply an issue that doesn’t arise”.
Families of residents who will be 'kicked out' of Cork nursing home urge Taoiseach to step in
The families claimed that Minister Mary Butler has only written to the most “vocal families” to offer them help finding other accommodation for their loved ones, but has not engaged with others.
What is Fine Gael's 'middle Ireland' and are you in it?
Questions have been raised over whether Fine Gael policy will help the people it says it’s targeting.
Missing Mails: Wiping of ministers’ texts and emails to be addressed with new policies
Controversies over deletion of texts occurred in recent years, with new investigation revealing this practice is widespread among European leaders.
Investigative project #MissingMails reveals multiple scandals across European governments and institutions
As part of this, The Journal and Noteworthy examine Irish State practices following 'ZapponeGate'
Retention policies currently vary from department to department
'Being in coalition doesn't mean we're the same': Coveney on FG-FF tensions
Tánaiste Micheál Martin labelled recent Fine Gael suggestions “unhelpful”.
Clare local allegedly assaulted at protest as minister hits out at online 'misinformation'
The man in his 70s is now out of hospital.
O'Brien seeking to convert vacant office blocks into apartments to tackle housing crisis
The Housing Minister today confirmed that he was engaging with Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney on the matter.
'Where will they go?': Coveney says invalid notices to quit should be challenged
The minister rounded on Sinn Féin’s policies to scrap the Help to Buy and First Home Scheme.
Public forum examining Ireland's neutrality to be held in Dublin, Galway and Cork in June
Micheál Martin says there is no preconceived outcome to the debate.
Coveney: Electric Ireland 'should answer questions' on price cut for businesses and not households
The energy provider announced that energy bills would decrease for businesses from Wednesday, but not for residential customers.
Ireland 'over the worst' of job cuts at multi-national tech firms in Ireland, Coveney says
The Minister said that large tech companies are keen to not only stay in this country but to grow and expand here.
Former soldier who suffered alleged abuse criticises Government and military leaders
Karina Molloy turned whistleblower on sexual abuse after a 30-year career in the Irish Defence Forces.
Taoiseach defends Paschal Donohoe as minister due to make Dáil statement on undeclared donations
Opposition TDs have called for a full explanation from the Minister, as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
'He's fully corrected the record': Coveney defends Donohoe over undeclared donation
Coveney said he believes that Donohoe has given a “very detailed explanation as to what happened”.
Last year
2022
Former army lieutenant Dónal de Róiste welcomes apology for 'flawed and unfair' dismissal
A review has found that his dismissal more than 50 years ago ‘was made on foot of a fundamentally flawed and unfair process’.
Russian invasion of Ukraine and veto undermines UN Security Council, Coveney says
Coveney believes Ireland has had a “sustained and positive impact” during its two-year term on the council.
Irish Army captain: dangers of live fire exercise an increased risk due to staffing shortfalls
Capt Karl Muckian said that such is the shortfall that the issue should be added to the strategic risk register.
Coveney stresses value of 'diplomatic channels' amid row over Tehran embassy
Opening an Irish embassy in the Iranian capital is being kept under review.
'Existential crisis' in Defence as officers' group declare recruitment target unachievable
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) are in Naas, Co Kildare for their annual conference.
Coveney criticises Fifa's 'extraordinary' decision on One Love armbands
Under Fifa’s rules, players wearing kit that is not authorised by the governing body could be shown a yellow card.
Motion on Ireland remaining a militarily neutral state won't be opposed by Government
Taoiseach says scrapping the triple-lock is not in the Programme for Government.
Change to triple-lock mechanism 'sensible' due to changed global situation, says Coveney
A motion at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis is calling for a the triple-lock to be turned into a double-lock.
Politicians confirm they're on Russia's travel ban list as Taoiseach calls move 'classic diversion'
Minister Simon Coveney said the sanctions were “an attempt to unsettle Ireland and our political system”.
Minister Simon Coveney says he would 'understand' if he's reshuffled out of Foreign Affairs
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said he loves his job and would like to stay there but that decisions have to be taken.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin meets UK PM Rishi Sunak at summit in Blackpool
Sunak first UK prime minister to attend the British-Irish Council in 15 years .
'People are dying': Coveney meets leaders of climate-vulnerable countries at COP27
Coveney is spending the day at the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, the second Irish politician to attend this year.
Coveney says UK-EU post-Brexit deal is 'doable' by the end of the year
It comes after the European Commission vice president said a deal could happen within weeks with the right “political will”.
PSNI chief says ‘calm the rhetoric’ as fears raised of loyalist violence
Referring to a bomb scare at an event involving Simon Coveney earlier this year, the chief constable said police can’t have full knowledge of everything.
British PM Rishi Sunak makes sudden u-turn on attending Cop27 climate summit in Egypt
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney welcomed the u-turn.
Stability of UK economy in Ireland’s interest, says finance minister
Paschal Donohoe said he hopes close cooperation between the two countries can resume with a new UK prime minister.
Hundreds of Ukrainian towns without power after 'kamikaze drones' strike Kyiv
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has labelled the drone strikes “state sponsored terrorism”.
All efforts needed to avoid fresh Stormont elections, Coveney says during trip to Belfast
The Foreign Affairs Minister was meeting with Northern Ireland political parties in Belfast.
Coveney: Politicians ‘may need to surprise people’ to resolve row over NI Protocol
The Foreign Affairs Minister met with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in London today.
Coveney: 'No arms industry' but Ireland should explore military trade opportunities
The event, entitled “Building the ecosystem, Identifying connections for collaborations in security, defence and dual-use technologies”, was held in the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland to join European centre for countering hybrid threats such as cyber and disinformation
The centre allows member states to develop responses to the activities of adversaries below the threshold of war.
Ireland to step up security around offshore pipelines after Nord Stream blasts
Simon Coveney said there will be an increase in patrols by the Naval Service and Air Corps.
