Results 33,081-33,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Science Foundation Ireland (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, whichaims to double the impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Team Ireland – our Embassy network and State Agencies — plays a vital role in increasing our exports to existing and new markets, and attracting economic activity, investment and tourism to Ireland. Under Global Ireland, relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Our diplomatic Mission network plays a key role in promoting and protecting the values, interests and economic well-being of the country and its citizens. My Department manages a total of 91 overseas Missions (plus offices in Armagh and Belfast) consisting of67 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions, 16 Consulates General and one Representative Office overseas. Heads of Mission positions are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2019, The Department of Foreign Affairs identified 124 data breaches which were notified to the Data Protection Commission, as required under Article 33 of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (3 Nov 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 attack....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2017, the European Committee of Social Rights, in a non-binding ruling, found that Ireland was in violation of the European Social Charter in respect of the right to organise, that is to affiliate to certain organisations, and the right to negotiate collective agreements. It found that Ireland was not in violation of the Charter in respect of the prohibition of the right of military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reports (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for Ireland's system of marine communications and surveillance in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I understand that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which is a statutory independent body, is carrying out an investigation into the grounding of the vessel in Cork earlier this year.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Government’s decision on the establishment of the LDA, my Department have had proactive engagements with this Agency in relation to potential landholdings which may be of interest to them for the development of housing provision. The LDA have confirmed to the Department that they are interested in acquiring the St. Bricin's military medical facility in Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (3 Nov 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 attack....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 685 together. My immediate priorities in relation to air-based capability have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and for two Airbus CN 295 maritime patrol aircraft. No decisions have made for the acquisition of additional aircraft in other roles....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 686 together. The circumstances facing the State with the COVID 19 virus pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on the principal response agencies and the health service in particular. The Defence Forces are providing supports, across a wide range of areas, to the civil authorities as part of the State's response to the COVID 19 virus. Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 683 together. The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500 personnel. Personnel in training are counted as part of the 9,500 strength level. As at 30th September 2020, the strength of the PDF was 8,529 personnel (whole time equivalents). Of that strength, 435 personnel were in full time induction training of varying durations, comprised...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 684 together. 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 number of personnel serving overseas by rank is outlined in the following table. Rank - Officers Number Rank -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines. In 2019, the Department complied with the guidelines with the exception of five contracts (in excess of €25,000) totalling €161,297 (excluding VAT) relating to various services contracts, which...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of transport arrangements for paediatric organ transplant transfers to the UK. Air transport for these patients is currently provided in three ways: Air Corps fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft; Irish Coast Guard rotor-wing aircraft; and private air ambulance providers. As...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (3 Nov 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: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 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 Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware my Department is in ongoing legal correspondence with Kildare County Council on the matter and as such I am not in a position to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The building in the Defence Forces Training Centre, which housed a Post Office, was in use until 2019. The future use of this building will be informed by the Defence Forces plans for the long term configuration of this military installation. When such proposals are developed, any building works, if required, will be incorporated into the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: A total of nine confirmed data protection breaches were identified in the Department of Defence in 2019. Given the assessed level of risk involved to the data subjects, it was decided, in eight of the cases, that there was no requirement to report them to the Data Protection Commission (DPC). These eight breaches did not involve the disclosure or loss of multiple documents or amounts of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (3 Nov 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. The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in...