Results 33,981-34,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Information (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: As part of my work on deepening the extensive and important partnership between Ireland and France, I visited Paris on 3 December for discussions with the French Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian. I also met with the French Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Clément Beaune. I exchanged views on Brexit and a number of European issues of common...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Maritime Jurisdiction (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I remain in contact with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on Rockall. We, along with our respective officials, are working through consideration of all options for further engagement on the issues involved. I have outlined Ireland's position on Rockall in contacts with both the UK and Scottish Governments in the last number of months. In my engagements, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Gender Equality (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Achieving gender equality is at the core of Ireland’s foreign and development policies. Our approach is informed by our own national journey and the political and social transformation that continues to take place in Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs actively promotes gender equality in relevant multilateral fora, including through our current membership of the UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The figure in question refers to the number of US military aircraft landings during the twelve month period under reference. The Department of Foreign Affairs has no role in the accommodation arrangements for US military personnel on such stopovers.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: 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 continues to provide an emergency and urgent service. The emergency service is available for those who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has incurred no expenditure on external advertising in relation to Covid-19. My Department has made extensive use of our online resources in the dissemination of information and advice, particularly in regard to international travel and the provision of consular assistance. This has included a major overhaul of the travel advice section of the dfa.ie website and those of our...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that Defence Forces School of Music recruitment competitions are anticipated in the first half of 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: For reasons of operational security, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the current strength of Air Traffic Controllers within the Air Corps. The average length of time it takes to qualify as an air traffic controller can vary. Enlisted ranks may not be required to complete Radar training and so, on completion of Aerodrome (Tower) training, are classified as qualified ATC...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Equality, diversity and inclusion are key priorities for the Defence Organisation. In that regard, the organisation is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all personnel and to ensuring that the principles of equality are reflected in employment policies, procedures and instructions. These commitments are exemplified in the 2016 Defence Forces Equality Policy and in the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Equality, diversity and inclusion are priorities for the Defence Organisation. In that regard, the organisation is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all personnel and to ensuring that the principles of equality are reflected in employment policies, procedures and instructions. These commitments are exemplified in the 2016 Defence Forces Equality Policy and in the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Internships (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to assess the level of disablement, whether it is attributable to military service, and to report to the Minister thereon. The only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Investigations (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the Military Authorities that there is an ongoing active Military Police investigation into this matter, therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: At a National level, I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which oversees and ensures the fullest level of coordination and cooperation regarding our national and strategic emergency management. The ongoing work of this Task Force has continued during COVID-19. The Office of Emergency Planning, which is established within the Department of Defence, is directly involved in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Veterans (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department formally recognises two veterans’ organisations 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. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) have been agreed with these organisations, which set out the services and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The PSS consists of a team of trained military personnel and occupational social workers located throughout the Defence Forces. The service is fully staffed, with 19 NCOs employed as Barrack Personnel Support Officers (BPSSO), and 9 full and part time Occupational Social Workers (OSW). One BPSSO appointment is vacant in 2 BDE as a result of the promotion of the incumbent and it is expected...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: FORST, the Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training Unit, established in 2008, is responsible for the co-ordination of the Naval Service fleets needs. Its purpose is to ensure the delivery by the Naval Service of professional output with a high degree of certainty, specific fleet standards, quality control and the monitoring of personnel and equipment in action. The Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has had no expenditure on advertising in relation to Covid-19 in any media outlet from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (11 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I visited Tehran on 7 March, and met with the President of Iran, Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif.The visit took place in the context of Ireland's role on the Security Council as Facilitator for Security Council Resolution 2231. This Resolution provides for the engagement of the Security Council with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (11 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am responsible for diplomatic clearance for overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft, on the basis of applications made by accredited Embassies of the countries concerned. In the thirteen-month period under reference, 1 February 2020 to 28 February 2021, there were 85 stop-over landings at Shannon airport by US military aircraft. It is not the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 749 together. In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high-quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19. This essential service is...