Results 21,401-21,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy seems to want the Department of Defence to go away and come back with some kind of super plan in isolation.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We have-----

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: There is ongoing engagement with Westmeath County Council on the best use of this barracks.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I do not have the exact number to hand.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: An initiative needs to come from the county council and the Department of Defence to ensure there is active community use and benefit coming from the barracks.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: That process is very much under way.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the question. In accordance with the framework for major emergency management, primary responsibility for responding to severe weather events, such as the recent storms and subsequent flooding, rests with the three designated principal response agencies: the relevant local authority, the Garda Síochána and the HSE. In accordance with agreed arrangements, all...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I will come back with the actual number of members of the Defence Forces who were out.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: It was significant. Well over 3,000 members of the Defence Forces were deployed.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is a very reasonable question. By 22 January 2016, which was last Friday, a total of 3,122 members of the Defence Forces had been deployed. In addition, 517 Defence Force vehicles, including ten helicopters, have been provided to support these works. This was a major response by any standards. If we are learning lessons - there are always lessons to be learned from the kind of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We did things differently this time. Most balanced observers would say the level of co-ordination across Government, both locally and nationally, in the context of this flooding was better than we have ever seen before. I would say it was significantly better than we have ever seen before. The task force on emergency planning in Government is chaired by me as Minister of Defence. The...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am more than aware of the ongoing British inquiry into the prescribing of Lariam by the British Ministry of Defence to its military personnel, to which the Deputy refers. Of course, we are going to watch what comes out of that but we also have to ensure we look at our own systems, whether in having a screening process or in ensuring we follow the best medical advice on prescribing the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We were hoping to have this report by the end of January and I responded to that effect in November when Deputy Clare Daly raised the issue, something she has done repeatedly. The group has asked for a bit more time, which I am happy to give them because I want sound advice here. If they need more time they will get it. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date as to when we will get that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government approved the allocation of €5m to be distributed as emergency humanitarian support to small businesses and community, sporting and voluntary bodies which through no fault of their own have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded recently. The scheme, which is being administered by the Irish Red Cross Society, provides a once-off ex gratiacontribution...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: As I have already indicated to the House, the choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Irish Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Irish Defence Forces. Significant precautions are taken by Irish Defence Forces Medical Officers in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have recently been informed that a Horizon 2020 bid which involves the Defence Forces as a consortium member has recently been successful. The scope of the project is to develop mobile, remotely-controlled technologies to enable an improved identification and detection of Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear (CBRN) materials and collection of forensic evidence in a variety of situation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2015, the latest date for which details are available, was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I continue to chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. It comprises of those Ministers and senior officials that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning.The Government Task Force co-ordinates and oversees the emergency management policy and activities of all Government Departments and public agencies. It is supported by the Office of Emergency Planning,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The provisions for the award of military medals are incorporated in Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) - 'Dress and Medals'. The Regulations provide that a recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal must be made and forwarded to the Chief of Staff not later than four years after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do...