Results 34,481-34,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Circulars (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The procurement of goods, services and works in my Department and by the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with public procurement policies and national and European laws. Procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure that they are line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework. This includes the incorporation of social clauses including environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 295, 296 and 297 together. 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 31st March 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,524 Whole Time Equivalent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 285 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) fall under the remit of the Minister for Transport. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to IRCG in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 287 and 288 together. The Government has fully acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues which have impacted operational capacity of the Defence Forces over recent years. In response, a range of actions have been progressed to address these issues. The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on retention and recruitment in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As of 10 May 2021, Ireland is contributing 561 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 338 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel. The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning Defence that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme including; - The establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces. - Support for the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces. - Development of a new Institute for Peace Support and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines total number of vacancies that existed in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2021, the latest date for which such information is available, broken down into the three Branches: Total Army Naval Service Air Corps Lieutenant Colonel 2 4 - - ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 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, including overseas deployments. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them 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 comprehensive list of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pension Provisions (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations. Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act,...

Seanad: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: Statements (17 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am here this evening to address the current cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. It is the latest tragic chapter in a long, brutal and inhumane conflict that has taken an unspeakable human toll. Let me start by expressing my deep concern at the shocking levels of violence over the past week in Gaza, the West Bank and across Israel. Now is the time for de-escalation,...

Seanad: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: Statements (17 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank all Senators for their remarks. I share their condemnation of the civilian deaths over the past week and, in particular, the child casualties. Senators have raised several points that I would like to address but first I must say that it is clear that the more than 2 million people living in the Gaza Strip cannot endure another war. They have suffered far too much for too long...

Ballymurphy Inquest: Statements (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I begin by joining with the Taoiseach and all of my colleagues in conveying our condolences to the Ballymurphy families for the terrible events that took their loved ones from them and in extending our sympathy and solidarity for the nearly 50 years that they have had to spend fighting to bring truth to those events. That is a lifetime of struggle. I was honoured to meet the families on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Fishing Industry (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I fully recognise the importance of addressing issues in relation to Rockall, and I continue to prioritise engagement on this matter, working with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Minister McConalogue and I, and our respective officials, are in very regular contact on this issue and are working through all options for further engagement.  Over the last...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415 and 423 together. I am deeply concerned by the intensification of violence in the past week, including the launching of rockets from Gaza and the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, and by the increase in tension and violence in the West Bank and in Israel.  Now is the time for de-escalation and all concerted efforts towards a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: No third-party online or social media monitoring costs were incurred by my Department in 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department monitors its own and external social media activity through free analytical tools provided by the major social media platforms. No Departmental officials are tasked with compiling reports on social media coverage of either the Department or Ministerial activities.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Investigations (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: No private investigation companies or persons have been engaged by my Department in the past three years to date. There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department.