Results 33,781-33,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Defence Force Regulation R5 (DFR R5) is the governing Regulation for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. DFR R.5 facilitates the payment of travel allowances to Reservists.   These are remunerated in line with the provisions for pay and allowances for both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, which are set out in Defence Force Regulation S.3.  

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Covid-19 is impacting across all sectors, including the Defence Forces.  I would like to acknowledge and commend the work of the whole organisation, including both the Naval Service and the Air Corps, in maintaining key operations, including the ability to respond to emergencies, in the face of unprecedented disruptions across many areas of Irish life at this time. To date, Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps is responsible for the provision and maintenance of communications and information systems for the Defence Forces. Where specific needs arise in any area of the Defence Forces that cannot be filled by military personnel, civilian employee roles may be advertised openly through a number of channels, including military.ie, The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: On 25th January 2021, the Council of the EU approved conclusions launching the first pilot case of the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept in the Gulf of Guinea as the Maritime Area of Interest and the creation of the Maritime Area of Interest Coordination Cell (MAICC). The Gulf of Guinea continues to face a challenging environment in which piracy, armed robbery at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have expressed my concern on a number of occasions about the arrest of this person who is one of a number of human rights defenders in India currently being detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi has monitored this case since the detention of the human rights defender last October. The Ambassador of Ireland to India has raised this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Under our National Implementation Plan for the Civilian CSDP compact, Ireland has committed to explore whether new arrangements can be put in place for serving public servants to deploy from Government Departments to civilian CSDP missions. I am very proud of the contribution made by all our secondees, who serve with distinction globally and would like to see the options for serving...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The EU's civilian CSDP missions are staffed by a combination of staff employed and paid by the European External Action Service and specialist staff funded directly by Member States. The latter are also appointed by the EEAS, on the basis of competitive interview of candidates put forward by Member States. If their candidate is successful, the Member State is responsible for the remuneration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland was a leading advocate for the EU's Civilian CSDP Compact, which was adopted in November 2018. Civilian CSDP is a vital element in the implementation of the EU’s Global Strategy and the Compact will make it more capable, flexible and responsive to the needs of our external partners. Through Civilian CSDP, the EU engages with partners to support them in building capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been providing consular assistance to the family through our Embassy in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, since first informed of the citizen’s tragic death in India in 2017. As the Deputy will be aware, a criminal trial is ongoing in Goa in relation to this case. Officials from our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The protections and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland works bilaterally and with the EU in many countries to promote our values. In response to the corporal punishment meted out to six people in Aceh, Indonesia, Ireland fully supports the statement by the European Union on 31 January which underlines the unlawful nature of such...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the premises of the American Irish Historical Society at 991 Fifth Avenue, New York have been put up for sale.This is a deeply disappointing development. The American Irish Historical Society, a registered not-for-profit organisation, is a cherished symbol of the profound relationship that has grown between our two countries through the centuries. While the Society is more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland plays a vital role in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process. It ensures that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland, and it protects the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. It allows Northern Irish traders continued access not only to the British market but also to the Single...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible in the time available to prepare a substantive response to the question from  the Deputy.  A response to the question will be prepared and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The table below contains details of the strength and pay bill of the Permanent Defence Force from 2013 to 31st December 2020, the latest date for which such information is available: Year PDF Strength (wte) PDF Pay €m 2013 9,236 413,394 2014 9,280 395,573 2015 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (4 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service has nine ships. In July 2019, the Naval Service reduced its operational flotilla to six ships, placing two ships on operational pause, while a third ship entered a mid-life re-fit programme. A fire onboard the LÉ Niamh last October has impacted on the ship’s availability for operations from Q4 last year. There are 5 operational ships that remain available at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 373 to 375, inclusive, together. The decision by the European Commission to consider invoking Article 16 of the Protocol on 29 January was a mistake and should not have happened. As soon as the Government became aware of it, we raised our concerns with the Commission and we welcome the fact that they immediately reversed course. While this quick...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that my Department is aware of this case and has been providing all possible consular advice, support and assistance to the family through our Embassy in Luxembourg and our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin. As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the details of a case or to comment on matters pertaining to a legal process in another...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Tests (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together. The landing in question was by a US military aircraft, with five crew and forty eight passengers on board. It had sought and received prior diplomatic clearance to land subject to our routine stipulations, including that it did not carry arms or ammunition. The US authorities have confirmed that this condition was met. Sovereign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Negotiations on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) concluded on 24 December 2020. On 29 December, the Council of the European Union, acting by the unanimity of all 27 Member States, adopted a decision by written procedure authorising the signature of the Agreement, and its provisional application as of 1 January 2021. Annex FISH.1 to the TCA lists the shares of the Total...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (10 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Consulate General of Ireland, Los Angeles, was officially opened by the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., on 26 September 2019 with the participation of the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti. The Consulate is one of the new Missions established under Global Ireland 2025 and in line with commitments in Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025. The Consulate represents...