Results 32,681-32,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008 as amended (“the 2008 Act”). The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is in turn determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended (“the 1956...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned regarding developments relating to LGBTI+ people in Poland. The Government has expressed its concerns regarding this issue publicly. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union. At EU level, the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: All Irish citizens living abroad can apply to renew their passport using Passport Online. The Passport Service, together with the Department’s Mission network, encourages all eligible applicants to use this service. In countries where Passport Online is not available to first time applicants, applicants can submit a paper-based application to their nearest Embassy or Consulate. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Offices (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Outside of Dublin city my Department has office accommodation in Balbriggan in County Dublin as well as in Cork and Limerick cities. Usage of desks in the Passport Offices in Balbriggan and Cork varies considerably throughout the year, in line with demand for passports. During the busiest months of March-August all workspaces are normally fully utilised, while during September-February...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Working Holiday Programmes (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Working Holiday Authorisations (WHAs) play an important role in building Ireland’s bilateral relations with a number of non-European countries and regions by encouraging people-to-people contacts. The Department of Foreign Affairs administers nine such programmes with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the United States. The WHAs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act (PMSA) 1997. The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Following the commencement of Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issued guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act (PMSA) 1997. The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: A request was made to appoint an aide de camp to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, the request was subsequently withdrawn and the appointment was not made.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 1 April last, former Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, TD., launched the scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force enlisted personnel who have the skills and expertise required to fill identified vacancies that currently exist. This includes technicians, fitters, chefs, communications and IT specialists and naval staff. The scheme is intended to support...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: While the COVID-19 situation has severely impacted the capacity of the Defence Forces to carry out training courses, the military authorities have advised that training has since resumed taking public health guidelines into account. An initiative previously agreed, namely Air Corp personnel undertaking pilot training in the US, has commenced. The purpose of this initiative is to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: There is a requirement to ensure that all Defence Forces personnel are provided with a safe working environment. It is also a requirement of Defence Forces personnel to adhere to all current HSE guidelines that are in place. All Defence Forces personnel returning to Ireland from educational or training courses that took place abroad are required to comply with the mandatory national...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: It is the policy of the Defence Forces to provide a safe working and living environment for Defence Forces personnel. There is a requirement to ensure that all Defence Forces personnel are cared for in a practical way, in line with HSE guidelines, whilst ensuring that Defence Forces capabilities are maintained. The Defence Forces Risk Manager provided written guidance on the wearing of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that my Department was not in a position to dispose of the property referred to because of legal difficulties in relation to the site. After taking all matters into consideration and based on the legal advices my Department had no alternative but to withdraw from the offer of sale. Those who were offered the opportunity to purchase were informed in writing, through their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission is to be established before the end of this year, with a mandate to report within twelve months. Planning for the Commission is in early stages and no decisions have yet been taken to date on its membership. I am working to ensure that the Commission is established...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together. The table below details the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by rank, as of the 31st July 2020: Establishment Strength (WTE) Vacancies/Over Establishment LT GEN 1 1 - MAJ GEN 2 2 - ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Offices (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: As of the 4th of September 2019, the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to the Department of Defence outside Dublin city is 25. These are individual spaces within the Department's buildings at the locations listed in the below table. As Deputies will appreciate, the number of vacant desks changes on an ongoing basis given staff turnover, retirements and new...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since being appointed as Minister for Defence I have not appointed any advisers, special advisers or seconded civil servants in that role. Within the wider Department there are civil servants seconded to individual areas of work including analysis, HR, legal, and procurement roles in the grades of Advisory Counsel, Assistant Principal, and Higher Executive Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Advisers (8 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not intend to hire special advisers at this point.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Over the past three months, I have participated in a number of Foreign Affairs Council video conference meetings along with the Slovenian Foreign Minister. In regard to direct contact, I had an introductory phone call with Dr. Anže Logar on 27 May, which focused on a number of issues, including the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the EU’s Multi-annual Financial...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Middle East (9 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has long worked to keep international attention on the situation in Gaza. The particular risk posed by COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip was addressed in Ireland’s statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East on 23 April. During my most recent visit to Gaza in December 2019, I saw for myself the impact of the blockade. Ireland contributes...