Results 32,421-32,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Consultancy Contracts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department utilises a range of learning and development resources delivered by Department staff and through the Civil Service training body, One Learning. This is occasionally supplemented by external providers. In terms of external costs incurred for diversity and inclusion training, unconscious bias training was provided in 2019 by Shannon Consulting at a cost of €1,700.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Legal Costs (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external legal fees in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the following table Year Amount 2016 €9,213.67 2017 €40.00 2018 €645.75 2019 Nil 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Records (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has examined the matter and I can confirm that the required information was posted to the person in question on 2 July 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together. I am advised by the military authorities that there is no provision in the Naval Service establishment for aircraft handlers. The requirement for specific appointments in the Naval Service will be kept under review.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, as well as, in due course, the replacement of LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the next...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: A copy of the Ministerial Brief, provided following my appointment as Minister for Defence, will be published shortly on my Department's website. Where there are any redactions, these will be in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 27 — International Co-operation (Revised) That a sum not exceeding €549,702,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020,for certain Official Development Assistance,including certain grants, and for contributions to certain International...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The programme also covers communication by the Department of its policies, objectives and activities to citizens at home and abroad. I look forward to people's comments and questions. I congratulate the new spokespeople in this policy area and look forward to working closely with them.

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am not sure if we are allowed to hand out copies because of Covid, with us touching the same sheets of paper.

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: It will certainly be available online and I will ensure that everyone gets a copy.

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My apologies, Chairman, I am not clear on the procedures. Do I have a minute to respond?

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will respond to the accusation that was made about me misleading the Dáil, which I do not think I have done. Let me be very clear and quote from the advice of the Attorney General on the occupied territories Bill which states that: “there is significant legal doubt that it would be permissible for the State to take the unilateral step of prohibiting the import of produce...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are only two minutes and 35 seconds remaining but I will try to deal with all of the Deputy's questions. On Brexit, I intend to maintain close co-operation with Opposition parties to continue the stakeholders structure that we have had and that has worked very successfully. We hope to have another stakeholders' meeting before the end of this month. I will keep the Deputy and all...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I do not know how many times I have to say it but people do not seem to want to hear . The reason I have opposed as Minister the introduction of the occupied territories Bill is I have clear legal advice from the previous Attorney General, which I believe to be very credible, that we cannot enforce or implement it. People just do not want to accept that, as if to say the legal advice from...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: It is a legal position. I can understand the frustrations over the occupied territories Bill but I have on many occasions explained why we cannot do it. People do not want to accept that for political reasons.

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am making the point. The Deputy had his say and I am having mine. On the other issues the Deputy raised in respect of annexation and the Middle East peace process, I have been very vocal at UN level, at EU level and domestically about Ireland's absolute support for a two-state solution. Ireland's leadership within the EU seeks to ensure that the EU provides the necessary deterrent to a...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for her compliments on the work of the Department's consular division during the Covid crisis. We are not finished yet because the virus is still accelerating in many parts of the world, including where Irish citizens live. This is the case in Latin America, South America, the United States itself and across Africa. I expect our consular division will continue to be very...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy and I will try to deal with some of the questions. I thank her for the comments about our efforts with the United Nations Security Council. I assure everybody in the House that we did not aspire to be on the United Nations Security Council again just to sit there and win the competition. We want to make a difference and use all the influence we have, including the...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to be able to respond to several of those questions and comment on some of the broader issues that have been raised. Deputy Richmond is correct. The plans for Ireland to increase its footprint and influence across the world are not confined to activity outside of the European Union. The EU will certainly be very different in a post-Brexit world to how it was when the UK was very...