Results 38,301-38,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Priorities (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The IAA exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for an airspace of some 450,000 sq. kms comprising of both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. All air traffic, both civil and military, is monitored and controlled by the IAA in respect of this airspace and in line with international rules. The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are 391 people employed by my Department. Currently, most of these staff are working in a hybrid manner in the office and remotely. Given the nature of the Department’s remit, staff have attended onsite throughout the pandemic to discharge essential tasks. Employees in certain roles are attending on site every day. No employee is allowed to work completely remotely, other than...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: While I am not in a position to comment on the pay structures of Defence Forces in individual member States of the European Union, the Deputy will be aware that remuneration for individual members of this State's Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s priority is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. As I have previously advised, the work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established on 25 January...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 588 together. The manpower requirements of the Defence Forces continues to be monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services to ensure they maintain their operational capability. The current strength of the Defence Forces as at 31st May 2022 is as follows: Total Strength...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 584 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.  In this context, the principal aim over the period...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 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 Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31st May 2022, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 586, comprised of 477 Army personnel, 40 Air Corps personnel and 69 Naval Service personnel. The attached table provides the requested breakdown of strength by rank and by Branch. The Government remains committed to a policy of equal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware,  remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA). In addition to this, a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely: Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: In addition to their standard remuneration, Defence Force personnel receive tax-free payments for certain overseas deployments and duties. The current rates are available on the Defence Force website and are accessible via the following link: www.military.ie/en/careers/faqs/defence-forces-rates-of-pay/ Where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 67 to 69, inclusive, 78, 80, 82 and 84 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 71 to 74, inclusive, and 79 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: Passport Services (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: All online applications are processed in the same way and this includes all applications from throughout Ireland, North or South.  Renewal applications, because citizenship has already been established, are processed within the same turnaround time of 10 working days for adult renewals and 15 working days for child/complex renewals.  Therefore, there is no difference in processing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a central provision of the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement sets out that a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland should be based on the European Convention on Human Rights, enhanced by additional rights to “reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem.” The full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Where an applicant submits a valid request to cancel an application the Passport Service will endeavour to refund the applicant within 30 days. Where a passport application has been in the system for over 180 days and then expires, the refund will take longer to process. This is due to the fact that the Passport Service does not retain payment details for the applicant after the 180-day...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ports Policy (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Permission was requested earlier this month for the Royal Navy survey ship, HMS Enterprise, to pay a routine visit to Cork from 12 to 18 June for the purpose of crew rest and to conduct a joint communication training exercise with the Irish Naval Service. This permission was granted on the condition that the vessel not engage in any military exercises or naval manoeuvres or carry nuclear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, and 81 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicant.