Results 36,541-36,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: Addressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people wishing to live and work in the US have been priority issues for successive Governments and continues to be an important priority for the current Government. Immigration issues continue to be raised on an ongoing basis through our engagement at all levels with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: We are studying carefully this significant report published by the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland into Operation Greenwich, concerning the RUC's handling of paramilitary attacks by the UDA/UFF between 1989 and 1993, which resulted in 19 murders and multiple attempted murders. Within this report, the Ombudsman has identified collusive behaviours and raised significant concerns about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. I note with concern reports regarding the treatment of human rights defenders and the restriction of civil society space in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have been consistently vocal in my opposition to illegal settlements and their expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Settlement expansion, demolitions and evictions threaten the viability of a two-state solution. During my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory in November, I saw first hand the impact that settlements are having on Palestinian communities and on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: 'Global Ireland 2025' providesa cross-departmental roadmap to develop a broader and deeper platform to leverage Ireland's engagement globally. This initiative will continue to support efforts to grow and diversify export markets, inward investment and tourism and underpin economic recovery, in close coordination with the relevant State Agencies. In addition, the strategy will ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 3457/22.The Department is currently carrying out a review of the workplace arrangements on 17 June 2020, which will be completed by the end of this month.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: It has been the consistent position of the Government that there should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework. The Stormont House...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department's Security Council campaign team was working in a large open plan area of Iveagh House throughout the day on 17 June 2020. When the result of the UN Security Council vote was announced and it became apparent that Ireland had won a seat in the first round, Covid-19 guidelines were momentarily not followed. The then Secretary General acknowledged the mistake on 18 June 2020....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware the Department is currently carrying out a review of the workplace arrangements on 17 June 2020. This review will be completed by the end of this month. A child was present in a photograph uploaded on Twitter at the time and the review will address this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware the Department is currently carrying out a review of the workplace arrangements on 17 June 2020. This review will be completed by the end of this month. A child was present in the photograph and the review will address this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department is currently carrying out a review of the workplace arrangements on 17 June 2020. The review will be completed by the end of this month and will include a timeline of that day.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within the broader security policy framework. Since publication of the White Paper in 2015, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. To provide flexibility, projects may be sub-divided or merged, changing the top-line...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

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 Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence 2015 set out the defence policy framework for a ten year period. The White Paper, in addressing Air Corps capability, provided for the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235s fleets. The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department formally recognises two Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel. They are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My Department engages on an ongoing basis with these veterans’ organisations and has entered into Service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces” was also agreed and published on the same date. The high level plan comprised 15 individual projects most...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: A civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages and service limits of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force has been conducted. The recommendations arising from the review requires consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to implications on costs and pensions. I recently secured an agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised me that the Defence Forces regularly receive requests from schools for career talks and have themselves begun to actively engage with schools to conduct career talks. These talks generally cover career opportunities available in both the enlisted and commissioned ranks across the three services (Army, Naval Service and Air Corps). Career talks cover the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: Training and education in the Defence Forces is conducted in line with national and international best practice, including the manner in which students are supported. On average, the Defence Forces conducts between 1,200 and 1,400 courses of training and education each year. The Defence Forces is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning and the accreditation of Defence Forces...