Results 20,161-20,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: White Paper on Defence (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I will not start naming individual countries but the statements in the White Paper are about promoting innovation through the Defence Forces. Public private partnerships between the Defence Forces and private, predominantly Irish, companies are well under way and have been very successful. We are developing new designs, technologies and innovations that may well be very useful to the Irish...

Other Questions: White Paper on Defence (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I did not imply anything. I stated that this will be an open and transparent process, which will use basic infrastructure in the Defence Forces to be able to test, develop and design new products that can be useful to us. We have made clear that it will not involve facilitating the testing of weapons or munitions. That is not what this process is about. I encourage Deputies to read the...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following the closure of Columb Barracks, my Department wrote to other Departments and public bodies inviting them to express an interest in the property, with a view to its disposal by the Department. No such interest was expressed at the time. My officials also met local representatives and officials from Westmeath County Council to discuss the future of the barracks. As the Deputy is...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: It is ridiculous to suggest that the Government can force an outcome on this issue. The Department will work with the local authority, community groups, clubs and other Departments to find a process that can deliver full utilisation of Columb Barracks in a manner that is in the interests of Mullingar town. This is precisely what we are trying to do. However, one cannot force such an...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: With respect, the whole point of the one force policy is that the Reserve Defence Force will train in barracks with the Permanent Defence Force.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We are moving to ensure that the Reserve and Permanent Defence Forces can operate and train together in a seamless way. The Department has considered the suggestion made by Deputy Penrose regarding the use of the barracks and does not believe it is consistent with the future needs of the Reserve Defence Force.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Martin should take a look at his own record.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets out the defence policy framework and vision for the next ten years. In respect of the Air Corps, the principal aim over the lifetime of the White Paper will be to ensure that the Air Corps can continue to undertake the required military operations and to deliver a broad range of air supports to other Government Departments and agencies in line with Memoranda of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have not been involved in any discussions at European Union level regarding the import or export of arms from Israel. I have previously outlined to the Deputy and the House the position with regard to the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence. I have also explained the scale and type of such equipment that the Department has acquired from Israeli companies in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for the security of the State lies with An Garda Síochána and in the event of any terrorist attack, the Gardaí would have primary responsibility, with support provided by the Defence Forces.  I am regularly in touch with my EU colleagues both in the context of European Defence and Security and other matters. In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I have previously stated to the House, the Government approved arrangements in July 2011, whereby Enterprise Ireland (EI) would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere. At the time of the decision,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and in the event of a terrorist incident, An Garda Síochána would be the first responders. An Garda Síochána may request assistance from the Defence Forces in the context of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). Significant and continuous...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Explosive Ordnance Disposal is the military term used to refer to what is commonly called ‘bomb disposal’. Explosive Ordnance Disposal is also a task assigned to the Defence Forces by Government and is provided in Aid to the Civil Power. Within the Defence Forces, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal function is assigned to the Ordnance Corps. I am informed by the military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various parts of the Irish public sector. In this regard, the level of remuneration in the Defence sector has maintained relativity with the levels available in other related public sector employments. The Financial Emergency Measures in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Implementation Plan (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence, which was published in August 2015, sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond. I have asked the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff to submit a joint implementation plan which will identify priorities, responsibilities and timescales in relation to implementing the White Paper. Work on development of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence, and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment, which is in line with best international standards, as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government. Going forward, the equipment priorities for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There has been a lot of scaremongering concerning the future of Custume Barracks over the last few years, and I was very happy to meet local representatives from the Athlone area recently to put to rest the unfounded rumours in this regard. As I stated at that meeting, I am committed to the future of Custume Barracks as an important, operational military Barracks. There are no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The deployment of naval assets to support Italy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean has been very significant. L.É. Samuel Beckett, which is currently deployed, is the third ship to join the mission, following the successful deployments of L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh. The three Naval Vessels have rescued a combined total of 8,592 migrants to date....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 2016 Defence allocation, amounting to €904m, is made up of two Votes, Vote 35 (Army Pensions) with €224m and Vote 36 (Defence) with €680m. The Army Pensions allocation, which is primarily demand-led and non-discretionary, will provide retirement benefits to some 12,100 military pensioners and their dependants. The Defence Vote allocation includes €498m for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battle Groups (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Participation in EU Battlegroups demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the development of EU capabilities in the area of crisis management and contributes to our overall credibility within the Union. Ireland's continuing active engagement in EU Battlegroups enhances our capacity to influence the ongoing development and evolution of the rapid response capacity of the EU, in particular, the...