Results 34,361-34,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department continues to engage actively with foreign Embassies accredited to Ireland, and regularly updates Embassies in relation to the ongoing measures being taken by the Government to address the COVID-19 public health pandemic. Embassies have been informed of the ongoing requirement to work from home unless work is an essential health, social care or other essential service or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The staff of my Department comprise Irish Civil Servants, in Ireland and abroad, and locally recruited staff in our Mission network abroad. The total numbers of staff at 31 December 2020 was 2,386. The collective total salary paid by my Department in 2020 was €112.2 million.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ persons or firms to deal with public relations and has not incurred expenditure in this area.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that any individual travelling to Ireland from or via a country currently listed as a 'Designated State' by the Department of Health is required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine. The legislation provides for some limited categories to be exempted from this requirement, and a review mechanism is also available upon arrival in the State where appropriate. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The Government regularly engages with the Northern Irish Executive through the mechanisms provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, including the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and the British Irish Council (BIC). The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland assumed its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. We are committed to actively supporting human rights across the full Council agenda, which includes some 20 thematic files and 30 country and regional files. Three core principles underpin our approach: Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Ensuring Accountability. As part of our approach to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 407 and 413 together. Organising visits overseas by Ministers, and supporting trade missions, in partnership with the State Agencies is a very important part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Embassy network. Trade missions contribute significantly to the development of our trade and economic relationship with key markets....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a firm supporter of the rule of law, enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union. We believe that it is important for the EU to have the necessary tools to monitor the rule of law across Member States and effectively respond to challenges where they arise. A number EU mechanisms address possible breaches of the rule of law. A rule of law conditionality mechanism...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policy Functions (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s priorities for the Future of Europe still remain closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda agreed by the European Council in June 2019. These priorities include protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests on the global stage....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Protection (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among EU Member States in dealing with the issue of migration. We must find more sustainable solutions involving consensus among Member States based on solidarity and responsibility. Otherwise ordinary men, women and children will continue to die, as nearly 700 have already done seeking to cross on the Mediterranean...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace keeping missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in these missions since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are focused on improving the mandates of UN peacekeeping missions to ensure that they align with the needs of the populations that they serve and are adequately resourced, including in the case of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Papers (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: A proposal to explore the potential for Defence Attaché appointments to EU member states / third countries is a component of a White Paper project which is due to commence in 2022. The initial project sought to "progress options for building on existing bilateral relations through staff exchanges, exploring the option of Defence Attaché appointments to key EU member states/third...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to Ireland's EEZ, it is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States, including the UK, to carry out training exercises within this area or to passage through this area. This would normally involve prior notification to Irish Authorities where an exercise was taking place close to our Territorial Waters but this is not a requirement. I can confirm in the case of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: There was no funding allocated from my Department or agencies to An Taisce for the periods specified.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Permanent Defence Force Cadetship competition launched on 30 April 2021. There are a broad range of considerations which must be factored into the timeline of the 2021 Cadet Competition and the planning and management of the assessments associated with each phase of the process. In order to meet the timeline for the various elements of the assessments, it is necessary to close the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department makes an annual grant payment each year from the Defence Vote to the Irish Red Cross Society towards the administrative running costs of its headquarters. In 2020, the grant paid to the Irish Red Cross Society was €965,000. In December 2018, a Government decision provided for an allocation of €85,000 from the Defence Vote to Sail Training Ireland for 2019 and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: A career in the Defence Forces offers a range of benefits, which includes pay and significant training and education and career developpment opportunities. As the Deputy will be aware Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The Department of Defence does not have discretion to award separate pay...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department employs both civil servants and civilian employees. Civilian employees are employed to directly support the operational capability of the Defence Forces and work in military installations. As of 31 December 2020, there were 374 civil servants employed in my Department, or 360.18 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE), taking account of those availing of family friendly policies and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ persons or firms to deal with public relations and therefore does not incur any related or associated costs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The attached table shows the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2021, the latest date for which such information is available, broken down by rank, service and gender. As at 30th April 2021, 149 personnel have been inducted into the Defence Forces, comprised of: - Male Female Total Army 123 5 ...