Results 36,621-36,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. 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...

Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland and New Decade, New Approach: Statements (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: This is an important debate. The legacy of conflict on this island and how we address this chapter of our history is vital for the shared future that we want, a shared future committed to on all sides as part of the Good Friday Agreement. We cannot build an inclusive future on cracked foundations. That is why, as difficult as it is, we must have a comprehensive approach to the violence of...

Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland and New Decade, New Approach: Statements (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: This has been quite a substantive debate and I thank the Taoiseach and all of the Deputies, from all sides of the House, who contributed to it. Over the years, many of our days in this Chamber have been spent putting on the record the facts and the outstanding questions around terrible events in the history of the conflict and the hardship that followed for so many families. It is important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Last week, following extensive contact with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Dublin, I wrote to the Minister of Defence of Russia, Sergey Shoygu, to request a reconsideration of the planned Russian naval exercises off the Irish coast. I raised a number of concerns in respect of these exercises, notably in light of the current political and security situation in Europe. I also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand is a priority for my Department and is an issue that is kept under constant review. My Department is actively working with the Public Appointments Service on an ongoing basis to recruit and assign additional staff at all grades to meet the current and forecasted high demand for passports in 2022. Additional permanent and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland remains unequivocally committed to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia- Herzegovina. As a member of the UN Security Council, we are actively engaged in efforts to promote greater dialogue and political stability within Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as support for the Institutions established under the Dayton Peace Accords. Ireland also contributes a small number of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's relationship with the United States has been of critical importance for successive Governments and continues to be an important priority for the current Government. The key priorities and objectives for this relationship are set out in the Government's United States and Canada Strategy 2019-2025. Under this strategy, we have reinforced our network of eight offices across the US,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant and returned their parents' documents as requested.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 440 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicants' guardians as to the steps they must take to progress their children's passport applications. The Passport Service cannot process these applications until the required supporting documents have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 438 together. With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that my Department is aware of the case raised by the Deputy. Ireland's Embassy in Berne, which is also accredited to Algeria, is engaging with the named person. My Department's Consular Assistance Unit also stands ready to provide support to the person's family in Ireland and can be contacted directly on (01) 4082527. As with all consular cases, I cannot comment on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced include Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008. These Sections of the Passports Act, if commenced, would provide that guardians’ consent to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. These provisions will be considered as part of the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the passport application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the application to the applicant's parent.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence 2015 set out the defence policy framework and practical vision over a ten year period.  In relation to radar the White Paper states that should additional funding become available, the development of a radar surveillance capability for the Air Corps is a priority. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 was completed following...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that, within an establishment of 44, there are currently 18 Electrical Artificer vacancies in the Naval Service. The Defence Forces recruit Electrical Artificers internally through the Trainee Technician Scheme and, externally, through Direct Entry Competition. The current direct entry Electrical Artificer competition is one of eight being utilised...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Military exercises or manoeuvres are traditionally recognized as being a part of the freedom of the high seas as captured in article 87 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  These rights are transcribed directly into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of coastal states. Under international law, including UNCLOS, states are entitled to carry out naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: In relation to the Department of Defence, the only Acts or provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed is the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 which was signed into law by the President on 9 November 2021. In order to give full effect to the provisions of this Act, there is a requirement to prepare amendments to certain Defence Force Regulations. These...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The meeting between the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on 21 January was one of series of routine courtesy meetings which the new Chief of Staff has been holding with foreign ambassadors and/or defence attachés since his appointment last September. It is normal practice that foreign ambassadors and/or defence attachés would pay routine courtesy calls on a newly appointed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Feb 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 to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.  The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety...