Results 36,101-36,120 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: My colleague Minister Ryan, as Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, has overall responsibility for cyber security at a national level. The National Cyber Security Centre in his Department is the national response authority for cyber security incidents. But, of course, response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge with inputs in the security domain from An Garda...

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

Simon Coveney: The Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, that is RACO (in respect of Commissioned Officers) and PDFORRA (in respect of other ranks), to bring forward claims for improvements in the remuneration and terms and conditions for their members. At present a...

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

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was subsequently established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership...

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

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence (2015) and the 2019 White Paper update, highlighted the importance of capability development and the necessity for continued renewal, upgrade and acquisition of defence military equipment and infrastructure. As part of Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan (NDP) set out the Government’s overarching investment strategy and capital budget for the...

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). A key ongoing challenge for the RDF is to recruit and retain personnel and I am aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment. As outlined in the previous PQ referred to, the regulatory...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 118 and 131 together. Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. Since the formation of the Government last year, members of the Defence Forces received a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1stOctober 2020, in line with the terms of the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (18 Nov 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. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of...

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

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation that supports the Principal Response Agencies (i.e. An Garda Síochána , the HSE and local authorities), government departments and state agencies during national, regional and local emergency and non-emergency events. From 17 March 2020 to 31 October 2021 Civil Defence volunteers completed 9,184 COVID-19 related taskings while...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Development Plan (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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. In accordance with the National Development Plan, the Department of Defence has received a capital envelope of €566...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 125 together. The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform is responsible for managing the process for the appointment, by Government, of an Adjudicator for all Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) schemes operating across the public service, including the C&A Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The term of the...

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

Simon Coveney: Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The most recent public service pay agreement ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ was voted on and has been accepted by members of the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, that is RACO...

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

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that my Department has given permission to the Office of Public Works for the use of part of this holding as a Direct Provision centre which has been in operation for a number of years. My Department has not received any notification of the intention to vacate the premises. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department together with the Defence Forces have...

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

Simon Coveney: In general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas. Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Forces Medals. This Regulation also delineates the...

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

Simon Coveney: There is sustained close collaboration between the civil and military sides of the Defence Organisation to identify, resolve and progress any matters that may arise. Such collaboration takes place at all levels of the organisation. The central forum for the management and oversight of civil and military matters is provided by the joint civil-military Strategic Management Committee,...

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

Simon Coveney: The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment and on 4 May 2021 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period. The Irish contingent serves as part of a joint Ireland/Poland Battalion, with smaller numbers of additional personnel provided by both Hungary and Malta. Ireland...

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

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, have the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of harassment, sexual harassment or bullying. Where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities. Arising from the 2002 publication of the...

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

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Minister for Justice and An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in...

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

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State’s principal seagoing agency maintaining a constant presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout Ireland’s enormous and rich maritime jurisdiction, upholding Ireland’s sovereign rights. It is the maritime component of the Defence Forces and is tasked with a variety of roles in support of a broad range of departments and agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (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 painful legacy of the Troubles based on the principles of truth, justice, rule of law and reconciliation. Progress on its implementation is crucial, for families and victims and for society as a whole. It was agreed in 2014 by both Governments...

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

Simon Coveney: I wish to thank the Deputy for this parliamentary question and refer him to the previous response to his parliamentary question 47401/21, which provides information on this matter.