Results 36,721-36,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines the amount that has been spent on all Covid-19-related consultancy contracts by my Department and agencies under my remit in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, the amount paid for each consultant; and the reason for the consultancy. The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. No payments were made by my Department in 2020 or to date...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Both my Department and I have engaged extensively in recent months with all key stakeholders on the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review, established to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces. The Terms of Reference, approved by Cabinet on 25 January 2022, were published on 1 February 2022, on Gov.ie The overall...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 1st February, 2022, Ireland is contributing 567 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The number of personnel serving overseas by rank is outlined in the following table. Rank - Officers Number Rank - Enlisted Personnel Number Brigadier...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government is in the process of finalising the programme to mark St Patrick’s Day around the world. This will include a programme of visits by ministers that will be approved by the Government early this month, and which will be made public immediately afterwards.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has secured funding, under the Housing For All implementation fund, to engage consultants to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study in relation to the viability of relocating Cathal Brugha Barracks to another city centre location or location on the outskirts of Dublin City. It should be noted that this is an exploratory exercise, the purpose of which is to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, following Cabinet approval, an Independent Review Group has been established, under the Chair of Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces. The overall aims of the Independent Review are to: - - Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 78 and 80 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicants' parents.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (9 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 63 resident diplomatic missions in Ireland. The table below sets out the total number of staff (diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff, and service staff) notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs by each resident diplomatic mission under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. This information is based on Article 10...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently processing 45% of adult online renewal application in one working day, while 99% of online child renewal passports are issued within the advertised processing time of 15 working days. The processing times for these standard online renewal passport applications compare very favourably to processing times internationally in countries such as the UK, United...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (9 Feb 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 Éireann, with multi-annual capital envelopes determined as part of the overarching National Development Plan. The return of amounts to the Exchequer from the Defence Sector budget arises for two...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces built infrastructure programme (IDP) as published in January 2020 provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. The IDP is a rolling plan and as such is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. It provides a breakdown of projects per formation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I was informed by a member of my political staff late that evening. I was told a photograph had been tweeted out of a group of civil servants celebrating the win in Iveagh House. That was late that evening.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I would rather not. I do not think it makes any difference. It was a member of my own team.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: It was an adviser, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I think it was seen as a mistake that should not have happened. That mistake was subsequently acknowledged by the Secretary General himself, who took the photograph down from social media late that evening.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I saw the photograph on a phone and, to be honest with the Deputy, I did not take much notice of it. The following morning, I was told that is had been deleted and the mistake had been acknowledged, and I left the issue at that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I did not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: No.