Results 34,881-34,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: It sounds as if I have an ally in trying to increase defence spending. I will remember that at budget time. Each year, the defence budget is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Eireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. Capital funding allocations are also framed by the multi-annual national...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: This brings me back to an earlier question relating to cybersecurity and the considerations of the Commission on the Defence Forces for the future in terms of the cybersecurity elements of the threats we face in the security domain. It is important to point out that the budget the Government spends on cybersecurity is not just confined to the defence budget. It also goes to the Department...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Cybersecurity is going to be one of the key challenges for the State in the context of a post-Covid recovery and how we protect data and our telecommunications systems and infrastructure as more people work from home and more people require and rely on high-speed broadband connectivity, both internationally and in the State. We will have to ensure that these systems and protected and safe....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that with the agreement of the representative association, the specialised instructors allowance was bought out for officers under the defence sector collective agreement of the Public Service Agreement 2013-2016, also known as the Haddington Road agreement. When the allowance was abolished, 54 affected officers were fully compensated for their loss. While the May...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I hear what the Deputy is saying. This is an issue under consideration and we will continue to talk to RACO about it. As the Deputy knows, the new agreement provides two means whereby any party to the new pay agreement can pursue matters such as this one, namely, through sectoral bargaining or a submission to an independent body established under the new pay agreement. It is possible by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The point is taken. I have already put it on record that the May 2019 report and the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention for the Permanent Defence Force made a recommendation regarding Defence Forces allowances, but it did not make any recommendation on the re-establishment of this specific allowance. Having said that, time moves on and I do not want to rule anything...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together. I presume the Deputy is alluding to the review of technical pay in the Defence Forces which was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The Deputy will wish to be aware that the Minister for Public Expediture and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel). The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 43 together. The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and include the following matters; - Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea. - Structure and size of the Defence Forces encompassing capabilities, structures and staffing. -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 28 and 52 together. As of 8 June 2021, Ireland is contributing 564 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 337 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and, to facilitate implementation, an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Programme (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The purpose of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020 is to make a number of miscellaneous amendments to the Defence Act to update certain provisions in order to better reflect the current operational practices of the Defence Forces. The principal issues dealt with by this legislation relate to overseas operations as well as removing provisions in the Defence Act relating to the enlistment of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 46 together. The survey highlighted by the Deputy, mentions a number of matters which are being actively addressed in the normal course of business of the Department on an ongoing basis. A serving member can choose to leave the Permanent Defence Force for a number of reasons. A buoyant employment economy can also pose problems in the retention...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 32 and 33 together. 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. For this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: At the outset let me state that under international law other State's naval ships or vessels are within their rights to carry out a training exercise in Ireland's EEZ or to traverse the Irish EEZ. This is not in any way an infringement of our national territory. In this context it is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States to carry out training exercises within Ireland's EEZ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. In this context, I would highlight and acknowledge the security role of the Naval Service, a role which by its nature can go unrecognised or unacknowledged a great number of times. While the main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Action 20 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, which is overseen by the Civil Service Management Board, provides for a programme of organisational reviews to embed a culture of regular and objective assessments of the capacity and capability of each Department to achieve its objectives, and take the necessary action to close any gaps. An Organisational Capability Review of my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 39, 47 and 50 together. As we have all seen from recent incidents, Cyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens. It is a standing item on the agenda of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning which I Chair where it...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy may wish to note that the Land Development Agency has confirmed to my Department that they are interested in acquiring the St. Bricins land holding for the purpose of developing housing provision. The necessary legal preparatory work to give effect to this transfer is well advanced. In this regard, I can confirm that the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme includes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 306 together. 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...