Results 33,541-33,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Arrangements under which permission is granted for foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These routinely include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form any part of military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: A number of countries have applied for and been granted annual blanket clearance for military overflights and landings in Ireland. Under these arrangements, the Embassy of the country concerned submits a notification of each proposed flight to my Department. My Department then notifies relevant Departments and Agencies. Specific arrangements for US overflights were established in 1959....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the club referred to has been contacted by my Department to advise that it is now processing requests for third party use of outdoor facilities for 2021. HSE guidelines on COVID-19 will need to be strictly adhered to. My Department will continue to consider access in line with the COVID-19 levels in place under the Government Recovery and Resilience Plan.

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

Simon Coveney: Overall Permanent Defence Force (PDF) recruitment plans for 2021 have not yet been finalised and will be informed by a review of the 2020 campaign taking the COVID situation into account. There is currently no separate recruitment stream for members of the Military Police and vacant positions are filled by serving members of the Permanent Defence Force.

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

Simon Coveney: The table below provides the details requested by the Deputy, as at 31st October 2020. Branch Establishment Strength(WTE) Vacancies Army 7,520 6,943 577 Air Corps 886 747 139 Naval Service 1,094 887 207 ...

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

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines the number of vacancies that exist in the PDF as at 31st October 2020. Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions. It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 309, inclusive, and 314 together. In accordance withn a commitment made in the Programme for Government, I wish to confirm that Government approval was granted today to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission, which is due to commence its work before the end of this year, has been given a mandate to report within 12...

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

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was 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. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme...

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

Simon Coveney: A total of forty six Irish personnel have died while on service in UNIFIL since the initial deployment to Lebanon in 1978. There were a number of causes of death. Some were killed while on duty, others died as a result of being involved in traffic accidents or other accidents, some died due to natural causes and one person is missing presumed dead. Information in relation to the military...

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

Simon Coveney: The total deaths in service for the Army and Naval Service for the past 20 years as of 31 October is 204 and 16 respectively. The military authorities have advised that the definitive reasons for cause of death were not recorded in every case. I have asked the military authorities to further examine your request and I will revert to the Deputy with a reply as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a programme of ongoing review through its business planning process and its engagement with me on the priorities for the Defence Organisation. The Department has been engaged in a wide range of review and reform both internally and as part of the wider public sector reform process. My Department was to the forefront of adoption of the provision of shared transactional HR...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Greek authorities requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising from the fire at the Moria Camp on Lesvos on 9 September. My Department, through our Embassy in Athens, has been in contact with the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy and has confirmed Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance from emergency stocks which we have in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 138 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is providing ongoing consular assistance to this citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai. Our Consul General has been meeting and engaging regularly with the citizen since we were first informed of this complex...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The annual intake of Foreign Births Register (FBR) applications has increased significantly in recent years, from approximately 6,000 applications in 2015 to 32,000 in 2019. So far this year over 18,500 applications have been submitted. This heavy demand is largely due to Brexit. In addition, the complex nature of the applications, as well as the constraints on output due to Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Tá sé i gceist agam ceisteanna 139, 140 agus 141 a ghlacadh le chéile. Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán le seirbhísí a sholáthar agus comhfhreagras a fhreagairt trí Ghaeilge nuair is gá. Tá Scéim Teanga nua á réiteach againn I láthair na huaire, agus úsáideann oifigigh atá lonnaithe inár misin...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide was identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. This new strategic capability is being delivered in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s Global Ireland 2025 Strategy identified the appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide as a key strategic action to strengthen our global cultural impact. This programme is being delivered in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. To date, Cultural Officers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. In 2020, some examples of campaigns included the Passport Online and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’, both these campaigns will be ongoing in 2021. Dependent on the situation in regard to international travel in 2021, the estimated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, which was collectively agreed in 2014 by the two Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland after extensive talks. The Stormont House framework allows us to deal fairly and comprehensively with the legacy of the Troubles, in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government stands in solidarity with all those impacted by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Thirty three people were killed and hundreds seriously injured on that awful day in 1974; we will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for the victims' families and survivors, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by Dáil...