Results 32,981-33,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As of 2nd October 2020, Ireland is contributing 571 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 342 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by Government, a Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme was developed and published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe and is designed to modernise and...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 173 and 175 together. As of the 30th August 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the current strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,374 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel, comprised of 6,763 Army personnel, 716 Air Corps personnel and 895 Naval Service personnel. The following table shows the equivalent data for years...

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Agencies....

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

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the primary day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks. The...

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

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The acquisition and updating of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future...

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

Simon Coveney: All promotions in the Permanent Defence Force are approved without delay providing that a vacancy exists for a suitably qualified individual. The military authorities have advised me that there are currently no promotions in the Permanent Defence Force awaiting approval.

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

Simon Coveney: As at 31st August 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 584. The table below shows the number of women in the Permanent Defence Force in each of the last ten years.I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2010-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to other organisations or...

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

Simon Coveney: The United Nations reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owed Equipment costs in respect of contributions to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The timing of the receipt of reimbursements is dependent on the financial...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational commitments are kept under constant review and future equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: At EU level the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region was discussed at the European Council on the 1st of October, where leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged parties to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The European Council clearly stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In line with advice from the Department of Justice and Equality, all our Embassies and Consulates abroad ceased accepting new visa applications or issuing visa stickers from 20 March 2020. The decision was taken as part of combined efforts to tackle COVID-19, in line with overall Government policy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, certain priority/ emergency visa applications continued to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is strongly supportive of efforts to develop a more coherent, effective and strategic EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Member States of the EU can be most influential in addressing the increasingly complex and protracted crises the world faces today when they act and speak in unison. If the EU is to successfully promote its founding values of human dignity, freedom,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that the Defence Forces have issued guidance for the use of workspaces and accommodation. This guidance was designed taking into consideration the public health guidelines that are currently in operation, with priority to ensuring protection of personnel and equipment. The guidance is based on the scientific advice that social distancing, along with the maintenance of personal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: When former married quarters become vacant, their future use is considered in the context of ongoing military requirements, including the provision of Single Living In (SLI) accommodation for serving personnel. The provision of married quarters to serving personnel is no longer provided. This has been a long standing policy. In relation to overholders, my Department continues to seek...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces have been providing intranet services to users since the early 1990’s. I am advised by the military authorities that the Network and Information Systems associated with the delivery of Defence Forces intranet services are reviewed and upgraded on an ongoing basis, as required. The cost of the development of the various elements of the system that require upgrading...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Covid 19 global pandemic has impacted on the education and training of all sectors in society including the public and private sector. The Defence Forces have cancelled all non-essential courses as one of the measures in the national effort to restrict the transmission of Covid 19. There are no plans to provide additional pay to personnel as a result of the elongation of courses, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). End of month strength returns are collated at the mid-month point of the following month and hence September 2020 returns are not available at this time. The most up to date figures available therefore for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR)...