Results 35,361-35,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects, which will be progressed over a five year period. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Defence I receive information on matters such as those described both formally by way of regular reports from the Chief of Staff and by correspondence provided to me in a confidential manner by individuals who wish to have their identity protected. I have a statutory duty to comply with that wish. On this basis, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I wish to assure the Deputy, in the first instance, that I have full confidence in the Ombudsman, who discharges his duties in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Act, 2004. Under the provisions of this Act, the Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions The findings of the Ombudsman in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, and 385 together. All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy could not be collated within the time available to answer this question and will be forwarded as soon as possible. All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. I am advised that there are robust measures and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department have met personally with two individuals and spoken to a third on the phone, who have recounted their experiences working within the Defence Forces. While I cannot go into the detail of these meetings for reasons of confidentiality, I know that the individuals were met and treated in a sympathetic manner and given an opportunity to provide their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. The Defence Forces have processes and procedures in place which were developed with professional guidance and which reflect best practice. These processes and procedures educate personnel, facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Bills from my Department are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by the Department which has been approved by Government. Since 27 June 2020 my Department has not published any Bills. The following two Bills which were published before 27 June 2020 are currently progressing through the parliamentary process: 1. Defence Forces (Forensic...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence set out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service including the replacement of LÉ Eithne with a Multi Role Vessel. This project is an important developmental project and indicative of the Government’s commitment to on-going investment and development of defence capabilities. The project is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Details of the amount of interest and compensation paid in respect of late payments to suppliers, service providers and contractors for goods and services supplied to my Department and the Defence Forces for the years 2017 to the year to date in 2021 are outlined in tabular format below: Year Late  Payment Interest € Compensation Costs € ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. In order to provide a safe working environment, staff who can work from home have done so to allow the Service to maximize operations on site. However, this number is extremely low as staff...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. The Passport Service maintained operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding the fact that the processing of passports requires physical attendance on site to deliver this service. As a result of well implemented safety protocols our staff were able to assist citizens who required passports for a range of emergency and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Working Holiday Authorisations (WHAs) play an important role in building Ireland’s bilateral relations with the United States, Canada and a number of other non-European countries and regions with which we have reciprocal agreements. As Minister, I support fully the objectives of the Working Holiday programmes and their vital contribution in promoting people-to-people contacts, and am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and the attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. I call for an end to violence, the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, including the President and State Counsellor, and the restoration of a legitimate, civilian Government.  As a result of the coup, there is a political and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, more commonly referred to as freedom of religion or belief. As a fundamental freedom, I am concerned about any reported persecution because of religious belief, irrespective of where it occurs.  In March 2021 Ireland made a national statement at the Human Rights Council during an Interactive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together. I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, more commonly referred to as freedom of religion and belief. This right includes the freedom to change religion or belief as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a fundamental freedom, I am concerned about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Subsistence expenses were processed through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in relation to three visits carried out by the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms. Katherine Zappone, in her capacity as Special Envoy for the UN Security Council campaign. The Department of Foreign Affairs reimbursed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for these costs. The visits...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is guided by Government policy and guidelines on COVID-19, including Reframing the Challenge, Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting, and the Work Safely Protocol published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as well as by HSE advice.  The Department provides staff with face masks where they are deemed essential for the...