Results 33,921-33,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 370 and 373 together. I am deeply dismayed at the repeated demolition by Israeli authorities of structures belonging to Palestinian families in the community of Humsa Al Bqai’a, also known as Khirbet Humsa, in the northern Jordan Valley. These demolitions have included humanitarian, residential, livelihood and sanitation facilities. International...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Service is currently paused while Ireland is at Level 5 restrictions of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Approximately 27,000 applications are awaiting processing. These are being held securely until the FBR service Is resume at Level 3 of the Framework. FBR, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) currently operates in a number of locations in Ireland and in over 90 locations overseas. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure. In order to achieve best value for money, a Central Procurement Section operates to co-ordinate all contracting activity and to promote best practice in procurement through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. An initial three positions in Berlin, New York and London were filled last year in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: This is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. My Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen since that time through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach participated in the 25 – 26 February video conference meeting, along with the other members of the European Council. On 26 February, there was an exchange of views on EU-NATO relations with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The basis and scope of EU-NATO cooperation is set out in the 2016 Warsaw Declaration and the 2018 Brussels Declaration. It takes place in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. The Passport Service has paused the processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas. The Passport Service continue to provide an emergency and urgent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 368 and 374 together. The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas. Passport Service staff must be on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My thoughts, and the thoughts of the Government, are with the family and friends of Noah Donohoe at this extremely distressing time, and as they contend with such a profound personal loss. The case of Noah’s death is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and an investigation is underway. There has been a renewed appeal for witnesses, and we would encourage anyone who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas. While Passport Online is an online application service it does require staff to attend the office to process the required...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Broadband Plan (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have had no engagement with National Broadband Ireland on any aspect of broadband provision during the past six months.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376, 383 and 386 to 389, inclusive, together. The COVID-19 vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (3 Mar 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. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2018, total Non-Pay Capital and Current Expenditure in my Department was some €230m and I am advised that no non-compliant contracts in excess of €25,000, were reported in that year. In 2019, total Non-Pay Capital and Current Expenditure in my Department was some €260m. I am advised that in 2019, my Department complied with the guidelines for all purchases with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Neither I, nor my officials, have had any meetings, correspondence, or engagements with the group referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Gender Equality (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference and the membership of the Commission. As part of a broader consultation...

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

Simon Coveney: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 January 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,583 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel. Of this some 601 personnel or 7% were female,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that there are a number of facilities available to serving Defence Forces personnel in terms of work life supports. First and foremost Defence Forces members are entitled to maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, parents leave and term time in line with national legislation. In addition a range of ‘harmony’ measures have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities advise that, as of 31st January 2021, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength (whole time equivalent) of the Naval Service was 903 personnel. This is comprised of 165 Officers and 738 enlisted personnel.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the context in which the relevant statements were made and, in addition, I believe the endorsement of the principles of academic freedom. I do not consider it necessary to comment further in my role as Minister for Defence.