Results 36,561-36,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 132 and 151 together. The Programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020 and its terms of reference provide for their examining and making recommendations...

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

Simon Coveney: For 2021, the total allocation provided to the Defence Sector was €1,072 million, comprising some €262 million for Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and €810 million for Vote 36 (Defence). The provisional end of year figures indicate that there was an overall Defence Sector gross underspend of over €25 million in 2021, approximately 2% of the Defence Sector allocation....

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

Simon Coveney: The Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection (MSPC) project is a joint Department of Defence and Defence Forces contribution to the Decade of Centenaries. The MSPC owes its origins to the decision of the Oireachtas of Saorstát Éireann in June 1923 to recognise and compensate wounded members, and the widows, children and dependents of deceased members of Óglaigh na...

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

Simon Coveney: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is my duty of care obligation to all members of the Defence Forces. I am fully committed to ensuring that every member has the right to be treated with dignity, equality and respect to carry out their duties in a safe workplace underpinned by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. As the...

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

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961 where "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, came under attack. From the 13th to the 17th September the men of “A” Company endured almost continuous attack. At the end of the Siege, the men were taken into captivity until finally released on the 25th...

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

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware it has been a long standing policy, since the 1990’s that the provision of Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces personnel would be discontinued. This move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and it is not intended to reverse this policy. Single Living in Accommodation is provided for personnel where same is...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 137 together. Defence Forces personnel may avail of daily meals in certain circumstances. This includes personnel engaged in security duties, approved training courses, on operational exercises and single personnel living in barracks. I am advised that a daily ration rate is set by the military authorities and that this rate is used as a...

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

Simon Coveney: On an annual basis, the Defence Sector budget, comprising of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Eireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements, with multi-annual capital envelopes determined as part of the overarching National Development Plan. Tables 1...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department provides support to veterans through two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). ONE has branches in Cork City and Cobh while IUNVA has posts in Cork...

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

Simon Coveney: The Strategic Compass initiative, which has its origins in the Council Conclusions on security and defence from June 2019, aims to enhance and guide the implementation of the Level of Ambition arising out of the EU's Global Strategy. It is envisaged that the Strategic Compass will set out policy orientations and specific goals and objectives in areas such as crisis management, resilience,...

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

Simon Coveney: There are many reasons why individuals leave the Defence Forces, which includes: retirement on reaching mandatory age limits, completion of service, individual personal circumstances, other career opportunities, ill health, failure to meet fitness and medical standards, etc. Discharge figures, outlined in the table below, details the number of non-commissioned members and commissioned...

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

Simon Coveney: Expenditure on the Defence Forces is managed through Defence Vote 36, with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Defence Vote 36 provides funding for the pay and allowances of members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Departmental staff, ongoing Defence Forces operational and standing costs, the...

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

Simon Coveney: As at 31 December 2021, the strength of the PDF was 8,468 whole time equivalent personnel comprised of 6,841 Army, 876 Naval Service and 751 Air Corps. There is an establishment of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, 7,520 for the Army, 1,094 for the Naval Service, and 996 for the Air Corps. While the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed...

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

Simon Coveney: Cyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens. It is a standing item on the agenda of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning which I Chair where it is always a key topic of discussion. The response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge,...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. Rather than interpreting neutrality as meaning that Ireland should stand aside, successive Irish governments have considered that neutrality enhances our reputation internationally and enables us to engage more effectively in our efforts to promote peace and development through the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Deputy may be interested to note that there is currently a programme of infrastructure works taking place at the Naval Base in Haulbowline with the objective of increasing the berthage capacity in the Dockyard Basin at Haulbowline to meet the requirements of the Naval Service fleet. This programme of works includes: --Upgrading of Spencer Jetty- works at an advanced stage and due for...

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

Simon Coveney: At its meeting on 16 December 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions which stressed the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine. The Council also reiterated its full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and noted that "any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive...

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

Simon Coveney: The overall Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps and training lands. In addition, the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork and Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 are also permanently occupied military installations. For operational and security reasons, details of the staffing levels and the staffing...

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

Simon Coveney: The level of capital funding allocated to my Department allows the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructure development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. It also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all their assigned roles, both...

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 overall security policy. Since publication of the White Paper, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. Project and Programme Management Governance arrangements were put in place to monitor the ongoing status...