Results 33,021-33,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Ensuring an appropriate balance between voluntary activities and work and home life is a key challenge that is common to individuals involved in many voluntary activities throughout the State. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve service therefore, and to maximise attendance of Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) members, I am advised by the Military...

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

Simon Coveney: Income tax is deducted by the Department of Defence from the pay of members of the Reserve Defence Force when they are on paid attendance and it is paid over to the Revenue Commissioners in accordance with the usual rules governing such matters. The amount of tax deducted in 2019 was some €0.45m. In relation to 2020, the amount deducted to end-Sept was some €0.2m. (The amounts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Expenditure in relation to the Naval Service is drawn from a range of different subheads from across the Defence Vote and is not broken down on the basis of personnel numbers per ship or for the flotilla as a whole. At present, the establishment for the Naval Service flotilla comprises 469 personnel out of a total Naval Service establishment of 1,094. Providing for increased numbers,...

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

Simon Coveney: I am advised that the relevant Department of Finance Circular pertaining to Leave for attendance at training with the Reserve Defence Force, is Circular 51 of 1979. This circular, as the Deputy will be aware, outlines the provisions for leave arrangements by Civil Servants who attend Reserve Defence Force training. Any proposals to amend this circular, and increasing leave for Civil...

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

Simon Coveney: The provision of local authority, social and/or affordable housing is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. The provision of married quarters to serving personnel is no longer provided. There has been a long standing established policy since the late 1990's to withdraw from the provision of housing quarters for Defence Forces...

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

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that the establishment figure for the Communications and Information Services Corps (CIS) of the Permanent Defence Force is 491 personnel and for the Reserve Defence Force is 101 personnel. For operational reasons, current strengths are not provided. The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of the Department of Environment, Climate and...

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

Simon Coveney: Defence Forces official email facilities are provided to members of the Defence Forces whose official duties require them to have access to Defence Forces email. The Defence Forces Internal Communication Strategy aims to ensure that Defence Forces personnel feel valued, listened to and have a common purpose. All leaders are required to pro-actively communicate with personnel so that all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Regional Aid (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence has not been involved in the granting of regional aid, over the specified period.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 298 together. Ireland remains concerned at the adoption of national security legislation in Hong Kong. The law, which was adopted without any meaningful consultation of Hong Kong's Legislative Council or civil society, risks undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong under the One Country, Two Systems principle. I made a statement on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel Trade Sector (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The EU adopted a new coordinated approach to travel measures at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 October 2020. As already set out in the Living with COVID-19 framework, the Government supports this effort to improve co-ordination within the Union and has made clear our intention to align with the new Recommendation. The new system categorises regions across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I travelled to the United States on 28th September for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. This included meetings with representatives from the Administration, as well as with members of Congress - Democrats and Republicans alike - from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Over the course of my visit, I met with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Richard...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 5 working days for simple applications and 10 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has been received and 20 days for first time applicants. Paper based Passport Express applications are being processed in the target turnaround time of 6-8 weeks....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus remains deeply troubling and Ireland continues to seek a peaceful solution that is inclusive and democratic. The Belarusian people continue to make a dignified and resilient stand in defence of the principle that they alone have the right to determine their political leaders. Joint action through the EU and with other partners is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Registration Section has now resumed the processing of applications. Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. At present, it takes between 12 to 18 months to process an application to completion. The Foreign Births...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pension Provisions (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The position is that the pension terms for new entrants who join the Permanent Defence Force after April 2004 are provided for under legislation.  The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 provides for pension terms for new entrants after April 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, provides for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The primary focus for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces to fulfil the roles as assigned by Government. This includes undertaking overseas Peace Support Operations, and in this regard to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. The principle of competitive...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy has been previously informed, over three years ago Property Management Branch of my Department became aware that soil had been deposited at the lands referred to in the absence of the appropriate consent or sanction from the Department.  As my Department is engaged in legal correspondence with Kildare County Council on the matter the Deputy will appreciate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of the long standing desire of PDFORRA to become either affiliated to, or take up associate membership of, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.  This matter requires detailed consideration as it raises significant challenges including the risk of impinging on the military chain of command. Defence management (civil and military)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under...