Results 36,081-36,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne attended the 2021 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council meeting (MCM) on the 5-6th October. The Ministerial Council Meeting, which was timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the OECD, saw Ministers agree a New Vision Statement and Global Relations Strategy to guide the work of the organisation...

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

Simon Coveney: The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. visited Dunkirk on 10-11 October to participate in the inauguration of the Irish Terminal at the Port of Dunkirk, which is the base for the new DFDS direct maritime link to Rosslare. The main objectives of the visit were to underline the importance of both the direct routes and the landbridge for Ireland’s trade connectivity...

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

Simon Coveney: A total of 107 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted in evacuating Afghanistan since the crisis broke in mid-August. This included the deployment of an Emergency Civil Assistance Team, which previously helped to evacuate 26 citizens and residents. My Department, including our Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Ankara, has worked with EU Member States and partners in the region to...

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

Simon Coveney: As part of my work on deepening the extensive and important partnership between Ireland and France, I have met my French counterpart, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, on many occasions including at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I also met him during the visit of President Macron to Ireland in August of this year. I last had a formal meeting with...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 86 together. I was delighted to have had the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference in early October of this year. I used the occasion to address a number of key issues which are important for PDFORRA members. I raised the important issue of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. I provided the delegates with...

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

Simon Coveney: The issue of awarding of Military Medals for Gallantry (MMG) and Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) to a number of personnel who served in Jadotville in September 1961 has been considered on a number of occasions over the years and a range of actions have taken place to give due recognition to the courage and bravery of all the members of “A” Company, 35thInfantry Battalion who...

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

Simon Coveney: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very significant impact on Defence Forces recruitment, including to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and has resulted in a reduction of most collective induction processing and training activities. The pandemic resulted in the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020 and the subsequent delays in Defence Forces applicant...

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

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of territorial waters using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that...

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

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department met with Drogheda Port officials, at their request, earlier this year. At this meeting, the officials from Drogheda Port outlined in broad terms their intentions to develop the port facilities at Bremore which according to the Port authority would entail the full acquisition of my Department's land holding at the Gormanstown...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Corps (18 Nov 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 and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of...

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

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very significant impact on Defence Forces recruitment, including to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and has resulted in a pause to most collective induction processing and training activities. The Military Authorities have...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 99, 109, 112 and 117 together. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as at 31st October 2021, is 8,572 of which 601 are female. The detailed breakdown of the female strength requested will be provided separately. Strength v establishment Female Strength As of the same date, 541 personnel left the PDF. Personnel leave the Permanent Defence...

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

Simon Coveney: The Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) is a joint civil military office which supports me in my role as Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. The Government Task Force coordinates emergency management policy across Government Departments and Agencies. The OEP acts as a focal point in matters of emergency planning and risk assessment and also acts to improve coordination of...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 134 together. In July this year, the decision was taken to withdraw the two Defence Forces' personnel deployed to the MINURSO mission. This followed a review of current overseas deployments and a proposal from the General Staff. The withdrawal of the personnel arose from a need identified by the General Staff to consolidate current operational...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 107 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. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments. The age and fitness profile of the...

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

Simon Coveney: I believe it is critically important that the Defence Forces reflects the modern demographics of today’s Irish society. To that end, the Defence Forces is committed to supporting a diverse workforce through its various policies and strategies. The Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan, launched in 2016, commits to an inclusive workplace environment...

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

Simon Coveney: The situation at the Belarussian border has escalated further and presents a significant challenge for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, but also more broadly to the European Union as a whole. The situation in Belarus was discussed earlier this week by EU Foreign and Defence Ministers and is clearly very serious. Ministers expressed solidarity with Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues at...

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

Simon Coveney: The total gross allocation provided to the Defence Sector in Budget 2022 is €1,107 million, comprising of €836 million for Vote 36 (Defence) and €271 million for Vote 35 (Army Pensions). This allocation represents an overall increase of €35 million on 2021 and ensures that sufficient funding is available to the Defence Organisation to carry out all its assigned...

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

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that tenders for the provision of a new Cadet school in the Defence Forces Training Centre are currently being examined with a view to a contractor being awarded the contracts in the coming weeks. I am advised that subject to contract award, the project should commence construction in early 2022.

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

Simon Coveney: Since my appointment as Minister for Defence, in 2020, I have met with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) on four occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020 and 13 October 2021. I have met with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on five occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020, 24 May 2021...