Results 33,841-33,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not entered into any contracts over €10,000 for public relations and consultancy since January 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government,as wellin our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). With each successive Administration in the White House and each successive US Congress, our bilateral relationship has been valued and strengthened, to the benefit of our people on both sides of the Atlantic. We look...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible to gather the required information in the turnaround time for PQs. I will revert to the Deputy when I am in a position to reply.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Veterans (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department formally recognises the two veterans’ organisations referenced by the Deputy as representing all former personnel, namely, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. As part of the supports currently offered to retired members of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. The age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that, since this matter came to light, my officials have consistently engaged with the County Council with a view to resolving this matter. The Deputy can be assured that my officials will continue to engage with the local authority on same. I am advised that Kildare County Council has acknowledged that the environmental assessment conducted by my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Feb 2021)

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 Contracts (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not entered into any contracts for public relations advice and consultancy over the cost of €10,000 since January 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Communications (17 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have not had any contact to date with my Defence counterpart in the United States administration, Mr. Lloyd J. Austin III, the US Secretary of Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Government advisory is in place to avoid all non-essential travel overseas. On 26 January, the Government announced the introduction of additional measures which will remain in place until 5 March and will then be subject to review. These restrictions include the suspension of visa-free travel to Ireland for nationals of South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 February Ireland has made its position clear through my own statements, statements issued by the EU, by the United Nations Security Council and by Ireland at the Human Rights Council. Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and I reiterate my condemnation of the coup carried out by the Myanmar military on February 1st and the unlawful detention of political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The contact details for all ongoing and established grant funding in my Department are set out in the table below. There are no agencies under the remit of the Department. Name of Fund Website Address Email Address Further contact information Civil Society Project Funding Dedicated email address supplied at time of call...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have been informed by our Embassy in New Delhi about recent protests by farmers in India against legislation which was passed by the Indian Parliament last September with the stated aim of reforming India's agricultural markets. However, the protesters claim the legislation would remove guaranteed minimum prices for their products and, more broadly, would affect the viability of small...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Criminal Court (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s ruling on 5 February in relation to the scope of territorial jurisdiction in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and is committed to preserving the independence and impartiality of the Court’s judicial process. The Court remains seized of the situation and we do not comment on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU have consistently called on the Israeli Government to uphold its international legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the treatment of civilian populations. Jerusalem is one of the permanent status issues to be settled in a final peace agreement. I have consistently focused on the issues surrounding settlements, including evictions and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The following table provides details of when each Embassy informed the Department of Foreign Affairs of its intention to operate a polling station, the date on which the Department confirmed it had no objections to the operation of a polling station, and the date on which polling took place. In addition to the details noted as follows, two Embassies, Poland and Spain, informed the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland advocates prioritising the vaccination of the most vulnerable communities in developing countries, including the occupied Palestinian territory. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have responsibilities to ensure the welfare of citizens in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Israel’s responsibility as the occupying power. I am aware of the differing views...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 153, inclusive, together. Deputy Jack Chambers was appointed Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip and at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht and Sport on 15 July, 2020. His appointment as Minister of State and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department provides grant funding to local authorities in relation to running costs for Civil Defence. Civil Defence funding includes annual operational grants payable to Local Authorities for the provision of Civil Defence services. Operational grants cover 70% of the running costs of Civil Defence annually with Local Authorities providing the remainder. On application, other grants are...