Results 33,561-33,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating a better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. The Reconciliation Fund has supported almost 3,000 projects with more than €60 million in grant funding since its establishment. ...

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

Simon Coveney: A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is an important provision of the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement sets out that such a Bill of Rights should be based on the European Convention on Human Rights, enhanced by additional rights to “reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem.” The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 151, inclusive, together. The Deputy will be aware that three protected disclosures were received in late 2015 and January 2016 in relation to the Air Corps. Legal advice was sought and an independent reviewer was appointed. The Reviewer’s independent report considered the Defence Forces health and safety regime, its current policy and its...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The current budget in my Department for social media advertising for 2021 and the related campaigns are outlined in the table below. Campaign Budget Summer Ready Campaign 2021 €5,000.00 Winter Ready Campaign 2021-2022 €5,000.00

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with a commitment made in the Programme for Government, I wish to confirm that Government approval was granted yesterday 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 months. The membership of the Commission has been carefully chosen to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces School of Music (DFSM) is a "Special Establishment" of the Defence Forces. The DFSM has performed at all major ceremonial occasions since the foundation of the State, including all Presidential Inaugurations from that of President Douglas Hyde to the present day. The DFSM also provide musical support for all aspects of military life, including ceremonial parades,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service as a matter of course has, when conducting fisheries boarding, made use of language cards. These cards have been in use for a number of years and cover the phraseology required to conduct a fisheries inspection. The language cards are included in all boarding officers’ guides and cover the following languages: - English; - Danish; - German; - French; - Irish; - Dutch...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces School Music (DFSM) is organised as follows:- - Headquarter Company (including Directorate), - Army No.1 Band based in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin - Band 1 Brigade based in Collins Bks, Cork - Band 2 Brigade based in Custume Bks, Athlone. In line with Defence Forces wide Covid 19 mitigation measures all DFSM personnel are provided with individual hand sanitisers and face...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Electoral Act 1992 establishes a postal voters list and those who qualify to be entered in the list. The Act provides that a whole time member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) shall be entered in the list. Having regard to the nature of military life, this entitlement ensures the right to vote for members of the PDF. I am advised that the Defence Forces, through the Enlisted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (16 Dec 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 Personnel (16 Dec 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: Defence Forces Data (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The following table details the number of retirements of members of the Permanent Defence Force by rank and average years' service, to 30 November 2020, as advised by the Military Authorities: Rank Total Average years in Service Lieutenant General 0 N/A Major General 0 N/A Brigadier...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: While Covid 19 has impacted on the numbers inducted this year, inductions and training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account. I am advised by the Military Authorities that, as of 31st October 2020, 449 personnel were inducted into the Defence Forces while 522 personnel exited the organisation. Of the 522 discharges, 137 were accounted for by personnel who left...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). A key ongoing challenge for the RDF is to recruit and retain personnel and I am aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment. The ability to conduct RDF inductions this year has been...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Tá mo Roinn tiomanta do na seirbhísí a sholáthar a riarann sí trí Ghaeilge. Ar aon dul leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, shainaithin mo Roinn cuspóirí áirithe amhail bheith ábhartha maidir le seirbhísí a chur chun cinn trí Ghaeilge, cuspóir 2, ach go háirithe. De réir Chuspóir 2...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foireann Roinne (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Níl aon phoist sa Roinn Cosanta go bhfuil an Ghaeilge riachtanach. Faoi láthair fostaíonn an Roinn ar thimpeall 358 státseirbhísí agus 454 fostaí sibhialta. Tá 15 fostaí a bhfuil in ann seirbhís a thabhairt trí Gaeilge. Ar an iomlán, bhí 233,868 fiosrú nó idirghníomhú le glaoiteoirí in 2018. Bhí 4...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (16 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Níor cuireadh ar an eolas mé gur tháinig aon fhadhbanna chun solais nuair a bhí na seirbhísí a chuireann mo Roinn ar fáil á soláthar trí Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta.

Brexit Readiness for the End of the Transition Period: Statements (17 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I see we have a packed House this evening.

Brexit Readiness for the End of the Transition Period: Statements (17 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: As we find ourselves just two weeks away from a comprehensive and permanent change in the relationship between the EU and the UK, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this last sitting of the Dáil before Christmas. I promised to keep Members updated on Brexit developments and I think I have kept my word. This is the 18th session of statements on Brexit that I have taken in the...

Brexit Readiness for the End of the Transition Period: Statements (17 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank all the speakers for taking the time to stay late this evening to be part of this debate. It is appreciated. I would like to think that I have always been non-party political when it comes to Brexit, in sharing information, responding to questions, inviting people to stakeholder groups and organising briefings whenever I have been asked for them. There has been great strength in...