Results 33,001-33,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have provided the information sought by the Deputy for both the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, which is set out in the table below. I have requested the military authorities to provide the information requested by the Deputy relating to the First Line Reserve and will revert to you once the information is received. Rank (Army) Average...

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

Simon Coveney: There is currently no provision in the Defence Acts to allow members of the RDF to be deployed overseas. The primary roles allocated to the RDF, remain to augment the Permanent Defence Force in crisis situations and to contribute to State ceremonial events. The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve (AR) or...

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

Simon Coveney: I presume the Deputy is referring the basic pay and allowances (e.g. military service allowance, technical pay, etc.) of members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) serving overseas rather than Overseas Peace Support Allowance (OPSA) and Overseas Armed Peace Support Allowance(OAPSA), which are already paid to personnel serving overseas on a non-taxable basis. It is not possible to precisely...

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

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that the establishment for Air Corps technicians is 322 personnel with a current strength (Wholetime Equivalent) of 176 personnel (as at 7th October 2020). The current gap in strength versus establishment has developed over a period of time. Eight apprentice technicians were recruited in 2019 and 19 in 2020. A total of 62 apprentices are in training...

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Vote is treated as a Group (comprising of Vote 35 Army Pensions and Vote 36 Defence) Gross Budget Allocation and amounts unspent for the years 2018-2020 are as follows: Year Gross Allocation Unspent Allocation 2018 €946.4 million €2.7 million 2019 €1,007.2 million ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Priorities (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces is an important commitment made in the recently agreed Programme for Government. The Commission will be tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review which will include the following matters: -Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea. - Structures for governance, joint command, and control structures. -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Issues (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015 relates to defence cooperation between Ireland and UK. The MoU provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the two states in the area of security and defence capacity, building on existing cooperation and seeking to identify new areas of cooperation with mutual benefits. It is a voluntary,...

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

Simon Coveney: Establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces is an important commitment made in the recently agreed Programme for Government. The Commission will be tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review which will include the following matters: - Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea. - Structures for governance, joint command, and control structures. -...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 208 and 210 together. Under the Defence Acts, 1954-2015, the Permanent Defence Force representative associations are prohibited from being associated with or affiliated with any trade unions or any other body without the consent of the Minister. To compensate for these limitations there are a range of statutory redress mechanisms available to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Bullying in the Workplace (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. These unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces. I am advised that there are robust measures and systems currently in place within the Defence Forces to address...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its ATCA role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Airport Data (14 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that, based on their records from 1 August 2008 to the present day, there is no record of the aircraft referred to by the Deputy having landed in Casement Aerodrome.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Trade Union Recognition (14 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Under the Defence Acts, 1954-2015, the Permanent Defence Force representative associations are prohibited from being associated with or affiliated with any trade unions or any other body without the consent of the Minister. To compensate for these limitations there are a range of statutory redress mechanisms available to serving members, including redress of wrongs, a Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy, and we consistently raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most effective and appropriate channels. This commitment to human rights will consistently inform and underpin our approach on the Security Council, and we will continue to champion human rights through all appropriate multilateral fora,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. The demolition of Palestinian homes, and demolition or seizure of related structures such as water tanks, wells, solar panels, schools and animal housing, are cruel and unjust actions. This is of particular concern when those structures confiscated or demolished are donor-funded. The only possible conclusion we can draw from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Working Family Payment (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. The payments are administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The table below contains details provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The administration of Career Breaks or Special Leave Without Pay and Allowances, is provided for by Defence Force Regulation A11, Paragraph 36. The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) determines the granting of such leave, which is subject to the exigencies of the service. Members of the Defence Forces may be granted no more than two career breaks over the course of their service in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Public Sector Pay Policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Service agreements conducted through central negotiations. The allocation for Military Service Allowance is included within the Permanent Defence Force Pay allocation of the Defence Vote. Military Service Allowance is paid to all ranks from Private up to the level of Colonel. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Public Sector Pay Policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Service agreements conducted through central negotiations. The allocation for Technical Pay is included within the Permanent Defence Force Pay allocation of the Defence Vote. Technical Pay is a weekly allowance paid at different rates to certain, qualified enlisted personnel...