Results 20,281-20,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292, 294, 296 and 298 together. 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, it is An Garda Síochána who would be the first responders. Additionally, An Garda Síochána may request specific assistance from...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 299 and 301 to 303, inclusive, together. 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, including aircraft, ships, military hardware and technologywhich is in line with best...

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

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped to monitor and communicate with aircraft overflying Irish airspace. However, on a routine basis the Air Corps monitors and communicates with foreign military aircraft where such aircraft are flying in the airspace in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, where air traffic control is provided by the Defence Forces. The Government's recently...

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Intelligence Branch provides regular assessments, reports and briefings to the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Defence and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, relating to possible threats to the security of the State. Intelligence led liaison is conducted between Intelligence Branch and appropriate national authorities in other countries to counter any...

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

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Amongst the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces is adequately resourced and...

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

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that Defence Forces personnel in UNIFIL continue to conduct their operations in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution and have not been subject to any restrictions on their Freedom of Movement. There is no evidence to suggest that Irish troops are being "constantly challenged by non-Government elements". While there may be...

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

Simon Coveney: On 31 October 2014, Secretary General of the United Nations commissioned a High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations to conduct a comprehensive assessment of United Nations peace operations today and how they can be made more effective, efficient and responsive in a changing world. The High Level Panel made a number of recommendations in the Report including one to the effect that:...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 27,000 applications submitted in the first tranche of GLAS were very much in line with the projections I made when launching the scheme. This substantial response provides us with an important signal of the ongoing importance farmers place on the sustainable management of their resources. In October, some 24,500 approval letters began issuing to farmers confirming their acceptance into...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There has been much discussion and debate around the commonage issue to ensure that GLAS accommodates the complexity of putting in a collective commonage plan in place. We gave more time for that to be finalised. As long as farmers have signed up to the finalisation and preparation of that plan, then they will be paid. If the Deputy had asked about the average payment in the form of a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We have not even finalised the exact number yet.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: With respect, that was not the question the Deputy asked. I have given the answer to the question he asked.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I said before, the expectation, and what we are budgeting for, is that the average payment will be quite close to the maximum payment of €5,000. Obviously, it will be less than that, but it is not going to be significantly less. As soon as we have that average figure, which is only a matter of weeks, I will make it available. There is no hidden agenda. It depends on how many...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not have the figures because we have not yet finalised them.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Farmers’ Journaldeduced its own figures. It cannot have an average figure because I have not signed off on every application.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I answered some of those questions in the reply I gave. First, I said that so far 10,000 applications have been registered.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: No. They have already been registered on the online application process for tranche 2.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: GLAS Administration (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: No. The way in the which the system works is that people register online, and then they put up further details on the system as they get them, which turns a registration into a formal application. That is how it works. We expect to get 10,000 or so applications; in fact, we will get more than that number under GLAS tranche 2, which is great. There were some concerns when GLAS was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is aware of the background to this case, which I outlined in the House in my reply to a parliamentary question on 7 October. In short, my Department conducted an investigation into allegations that milk collections from one supplier were credited to the account of another, and that this was being facilitated by the milk purchaser concerned. I have already indicated that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: No, there was no Garda investigation.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Deputy on this. It should not have happened and it was not allowed to happen-----