Results 37,201-37,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is acknowledged that my Department receives correspondence on a continuous basis from the named person. The correspondence has been addressed by way of reply appropriate to the individual issues raised by him. Some of the issues raised by him are beyond my policy brief as Minister for Defence and this person has been so advised. I am aware that there has also been correspondence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 447, 448, 451, 452 and 453 together. As at 28 February, 2022, there were 576 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel serving overseas, of which 37 were female. On the same date, the strength of the - PDF was 8,398 personnel (establishment strength 9,500) - Army was 6,788  personnel(establishment strength 7,520) - Air Corps was 743...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 10thMarch 2022, is 761 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the strength by requested stream: - Personnel Stream Strength as at 10/03/2022 Qualified pilots 89 Cadets currently completing military training* 15 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary 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. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: World Economic Forum (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Defence I have not, nor have officials in this Department, engaged with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum.  Any correspondence I may have with the World Economic Forum is dealt with in my remit as Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the matter referenced by the Deputy is currently under investigation by the Military Authorities, in accordance with the relevant Defence Forces Regulations and associated Administrative Instructions, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further on it at this time. However, I can advise that the unlawful possession, supply, or use, of a controlled drug is incompatible...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456, 457 and 458 together. As the Deputy will be aware, following Government approval on 25 January last,  an Independent Review Group, under the Chair of retired High Court Judge, Bronagh O’Hanlon, has been established to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (22 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level.  In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 74 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has engaged the services of the company referred to by the Deputy from 2011 to date in 2022. All contracts in my Department for these services were carried out in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services which promote competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement in order to deliver the best...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 75 and 78 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 applications to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland currently has 97 diplomatic and consular missions around the world. This includes 14 new missions established under the Government’s Global Ireland strategy, with a further 12 new missions planned to open by the end of 2025. Global Ireland's strategy envisages the most ambitious expansion of Ireland’s international presence and influence and will strengthen...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (23 Mar 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 am aware of the concerns regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, and of the European perspective of the Eastern Partnership’s three associated partners, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Ukraine, in particular, has made impressive progress in aligning with EU standards and deserves recognition for their efforts to defend European values. However, we are mindful that there is a clear distinction...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not awarded any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has engaged the named company for the purpose of language translations of documents and publications. The table below outlines the number of times I have engaged the company and the costs from 2011 to date: Year Number of times engaged per year Total amount paid per year 2011 1 €2,515.06 2012 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that the 2022 competition for Air Corps apprentice aircraft technicians was launched on 14 February 2022, is currently accepting applications and is expected to close on 15 April 2022. Additionally, the direct entry competition for Air Corps aircraft technicians is also open for applications, with an expected closing date of 31 May 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (23 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service. The Defence Equipment Development Plan (EDP) provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been...