Results 37,101-37,120 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available, but my Department is retrieving and collating the information requested. I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I want to make it very clear that my Department and the Defence Forces will play their part in the forthcoming national effort in assisting the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. My Department is fully engaged in ongoing cross-Government considerations of how best we can respond, whether in the form of providing accommodation for displaced Ukrainian nationals arriving in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248 and 249 together. All members of the Defence Forces, have the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations are initiated by the appropriate authorities. The Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31st January 2022, was 8,467 personnel.  I am very aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment and have previously acknowledged the ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces.  I have also previously...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 252 and 258 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254, 257 and 263 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Air Corps operate a fleet of fixed and rotary wing aircraft which provide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the Government has acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues being experienced by the Naval Service. The current shortfall is especially marked in specialist areas, where small numbers are more vulnerable to gaps. Without giving rise to any compromise on safety, the impact of these shortfalls has resulted in greater pressure on individual members and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the sea. In 2014, the EU launched a Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), defining maritime security as ‘a state of affairs of the global maritime domain, in which international law and national law are enforced, freedom of navigation is guaranteed and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to establishing a Commission on the Defence Forces to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force. The Commission was established by Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: At the outset, I want to speak about the unconscionable attack by Russian forces yesterday in Mariupol. I am sure the committee will join me in expressing profound sorrow and sympathy for the victims of this illegal act of violence. This event speaks directly to the need for international pressure to be brought to bear so that this senseless conflict can be halted as soon as possible. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will try to be quicker. Deputy Stanton asked had the Russian ambassador been to the Department. Yes, he has been multiple times and there have been multiple phone calls. The ambassador is in no doubt as to our view and that has being delivered at a very senior level from the Secretary General and assistant secretary on different occasions. Those conversations take place perhaps not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: For the record, Irish people are not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Irish people are anti the Russian leadership and the decisions it is making right now. It is very important for all of us to keep delivering the message that Russian citizens in Ireland and Russian children in Irish schools should not be targeted or blamed for what is happening in Ukraine. This is not in their name. Russian people in Ireland are welcome. However, the decisions the Russian...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can revert to the committee in writing if that is desired.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Yes. Some members have left the meeting but I might make one final point about cyber. There is an increased cyber threat, in our assessment, and we are taking the appropriate precautions in that regard, including through a heightened sense of awareness and concern in that space. I will not go into further detail as we are tight on time.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to present the Revised Estimates for my Department for 2022. I hope committee members are not tired of listening to me given our conversations yesterday and again today. I will try to move through the Revised Estimates as quickly as I can. I will focus on Vote 28 - foreign affairs. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, will address the committee afterwards...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: To what does the 50% figure refer?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will happily try to jump around those questions and answer them all. I will deal with the embassies first. I think I am right in saying that since the Global Ireland strategy began a few years ago, we have opened about 15 new embassies and consulates. That is quite significant. I refer to places such as Santiago in Chile, Bogotá in Colombia and Vancouver. We have opened an...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Is the Deputy asking if we have changed that?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The first issue has been raised with me by many colleagues, including Deputy Stanton. Particularly for first-time applications, when an applicant was told a mistake had been made and they sent in corrected forms or new photographs or whatever, the clock started again and the application took another eight weeks. That is no longer the case. Now, when a correction is made or extra...