Results 36,041-36,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I apologise to the Deputy. The reason "independent and unbiased" is a term used to describe the new review body is we want this to be an external review as opposed to an internal one within the military system or within the Defence Forces, which is what often takes place if there is a problem. The Chief of Staff sets up an internal review within the Defence Forces. That is the way the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is very important the review group will have access to all testimonies of people's experiences in the Defence Forces, in the past and currently, as part of its work. If there are non-disclosure legal agreements, we have to figure out how to do that in a way that will allow people to tell their stories but, at the same time, be legally sound. I do not have legal advice to hand regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----one from the commission in addition to the review we are now putting in place. We can act on both of those. If that means an IMG-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 93, 102, 110 and 126 together. On 31 October 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, was 8,572 whole-time equivalent personnel comprising 6,946 Army, 878 Naval Service and 748 Air Corps members. While the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Burke is correct. When you look at the number of people who apply to join the Defence Forces and the number who fall out of that recruitment process, you do have to ask why. Those questions are being asked and we will see recommendations on HR management and recruitment from the commission in the weeks ahead. There is an appetite to join the Defence Forces. Many people who want to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The number of staff working in the Passport Service as of 11 November 2021 is 557. All Passport Service processing and operations teams are working on site to produce passports. This represents 99% of total staff, allocated to core functions such as customer service; validation and checking; production and dispatch of passports. So far this year, the production and operations teams have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. My Department fully recognises that Passport Express, and Northern Ireland Passport Express, continue to be an important channel for applicants who do not wish to use the online system or who do not have access to online services. The Passport Express channel was created in partnership with An Post’s Swiftpost option to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issue within one business day. The current passport processing times are: - 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals - 15 working days for Complex renewals - 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online - 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 5,874 passport applications from Cork with the Passport Service.While we cannot set out the applications from Cork that were on hand on previous dates or periods as requested by the Deputy, the table beneath summarises the applications by type - Adult and Child first time applications and Adult and Child renewal applications. The current turnaround times are: - 10...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I remain concerned by the situation in East Jerusalem where tensions remain high. Palestinian residents in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah have faced a longstanding threat of eviction. I have clearly and repeatedly conveyed our concerns on this issue directly to the Israeli authorities, at EU level and at the UN Security Council. Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Cadet School Headquarters projects involves the upgrading of the current Mission Preparation Centre and adjacent Mess with the provision of a new build extension complete with administration offices, recreation areas, interview/meeting rooms, ablution facilities and storage areas to support the induction and training of officer cadets. The new facility will provide for a mix of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department with Kildare County Council have commissioned consultants to conduct public consultations to inform the development and future management of the Curragh Plains. The first round of consultations were completed earlier this year and resulted in excess of 3,600 responses. The next phase of the project relating to the development of a Conservation Management Plan and a Branding Plan...

Seanad: Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am delighted to be back once again in the Seanad to participate in this timely discussion on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. The ongoing work of this Chamber on Brexit issues, particularly the efforts of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, underlines the continued importance of this issue for communities across the country. Northern...

Seanad: Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank all Senators for their contributions which, in some cases, were questions. I will try to move through those questions as best I can. I will deal first with Senator Mullen's comments. He rightly asked questions that some might, perhaps, think are unpalatable and so on. I will try to answer some of the issues. As the person representing him and the Irish Government, I have tried to...

Seanad: Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: They have accepted that, but they also want to maintain connection with the rest of the island of Ireland. They want an absence of borders and the protections of a free trading environment in and out of the European Union, as well as with the rest of the United Kingdom. This was a compromise where all sides had to sacrifice something. To see it through only one perspective because there is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, requires evidence of the consent of a child’s guardians before a passport can be issued to them by the Passport Service. In the case of the applications raised by the Deputy, incomplete Child Passport Identity and Consent forms were submitted. It is essential that the Passport Service receives evidence of consent of a child's guardians duly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned by the situation in and around East Jerusalem where tensions remain high. Palestinian residents in the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan have faced a longstanding threat of eviction. Settlement expansion in sensitive areas such as E1 around Jerusalem undermine the viability of a two-State solution. During my recent visit to the region, I saw at first-hand...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 23 and 24 together. I am aware of the Palestinian prisoners currently engaging in a hunger strike to protest their arrest under the Israeli policy of administrative detention, including the concerns raised by the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the health of a number of these prisoners. I welcome the news that one of the individuals...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport. The Passport Service does not currently record the incidence of errors in consent forms at the important checking and validation stage. Our focus is always on the verification of consent which is vital to protect the integrity of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has been the consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented – for the families and victims who have waited for too long. We have taken every...