Results 33,461-33,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 359 together. A review of recruitment practices and processes in the Permanent Defence Force, mandated under the High Level Implementation Plan Arising from Public Service Pay Commission report, has examined all aspects of the recruitment process as part of its work. The Review Group established in this regard was chaired by an external HR adviser and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA). The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force also contain professional and technical remuneration...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The provision of mental health services within the Defence Forces is a demand driven aspect of the overall provision of health services and, as with all other disciplines, is not subject to a separate financial provision. A range of mental health services are provided and these include psychiatry, psychology, personnel support services, general health provision, external referrals and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s current national cyber security strategy was published in December 2019 and follows on from the country's first Strategy which was issued in 2015 and for which the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has the lead role. Officials of my Department and members of the Defence Forces are actively involved in the implementation of the new Strategy. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not requested any additional funding from the EU for the Naval Service in the context of Brexit. However, my Department does apply for appropriate EU funding opportunities in support of the Defence Forces as and when they arise. My Department has secured approval in principle for EU funding available under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government recognises the importance of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF. The RDF is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve The FLR consists of former trained members of the PDF...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that a total of 328 members of the Permanent Defence Force have availed of Paternity Leave to date in 2020. This figure includes 9 personnel who commenced their Paternity Leave in December 2019. The statutory provisions for Paternity Leave, as provided for in the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, are available to all eligible members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that the projected training timelines for personnel to achieve their Military Pilots Wings is, on average, 36 months. This encompasses all aspects of training from induction to graduation including 10 months military training in the Cadet School. There are currently 89 qualified pilots in the Air Corps with an additional 28 personnel at various stages of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Issues (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 368 together. The European Peace Facility was proposed by High Representative and Vice President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, in 2018 with the aim of providing the EU with a single off-budget financing mechanism of up to €5 billion (€5.7billion in current prices) for the period of the next MFF, 2021 to 2027, and would...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 366 together. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a process under which groups of Member States can come together to develop capabilities in support of Common CSDP Operations. On a voluntary basis, 25 EU Member States, including Ireland, have joined PESCO and subscribed to more binding commitments to invest, plan, develop and operate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 365 together. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a process under which groups of Member States can come together to develop capabilities in support of Common CSDP Operations. On a voluntary basis, 25 EU Member States have joined PESCO and subscribed to more binding commitments to invest, plan, develop and operate defence capabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s relations with NATO are set within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and Partnership for Peace. This is a voluntary flexible instrument for co-operation between NATO and its partner countries. The primary aim of Ireland's Partnership for Peace participation is to enhance the Defence Forces’ interoperability with other professional military forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364, 367, 369 and 370 together. With regard to the EU’s level of ambition in military terms, the EU’s Global Strategy published in 2016 elaborated and expanded on the EU’s level of ambi­tion on security and defence. Taking stock of a rapidly deteriorating security envi­ronment for Europe, the strategy broadened the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped to monitor aircraft overflying the entirety of Irish airspace. However, on a routine basis, the Air Corps monitors and communicates with foreign military aircraft where such aircraft are flying in the airspace in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, where air traffic control is provided by the Defence Forces. As set out in the White Paper...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Bill is an essential part of getting Ireland ready for the changes we will face when the transition ends in less than one month's time. Last year, this House considered the 2019 Brexit omnibus Act, which made provision to address issues that would arise should the UK leave the EU with no deal. The conclusion of the withdrawal agreement meant that many provisions of the 2019 Act could...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I will try to answer as many of the questions as I can. There is a meeting of the Seanad special select committee on Brexit tomorrow, where I will be able to go into more depth if Senators want me to in any area. I will now deal with some of the themes that arose. A number of Senators raised concerns about the need for direct ferry links to deal with congestion in ports. The concern is...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: We should not be charging them any more than it costs to do it either.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I say that as somebody some of whose family has very much been in that category. I want to give a commitment that we will certainly look at that issue. As I say, if a British person living in Ireland wants to get an Irish passport and he or she has been living here for years, that person is more than welcome to become an Irish citizen and we will facilitate that in as seamless a way as...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Chairman and all members for the opportunity to come in and, hopefully, we will have a detailed questions and answers session where we can focus on specific areas where members have concerns. I will make a general introductory statement first in terms of where we are at and the considerations we have. I am pleased to have the opportunity to come before the committee to give an...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement on Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (2 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Does the Deputy want me to take that now?