Results 38,381-38,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has excellent bilateral relations with Australia, anchored in shared values and close people to people links. I met with Australia’s then Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, last February in the margins of an international conference in Munich. This was our first opportunity to meet in person since the onset of the pandemic. We discussed a range of topics, including bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Defence, I am in daily contact with my officials as part of the on-going business of the Department including the recruitment and retention challenges in the Naval Service.  In response to such challenges I approved a comprehensive Naval Service regeneration plan in 2021 which is being progressed and monitored by a high-level civil/military team. The aim of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Airport Security (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 331 together. At last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Government supported a request from the Minister for Transport for members of the Defence Forces to undergo training and certification and to be on standby to assist the daa with the provision of aviation security duties at Dublin Airport.   While I recognise that the role of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board.  The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces.  The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Operational Capability Concept (OCC) is an evaluation and feedback process that provides for external evaluation by trained evaluators of declared military capabilities in accordance with NATO standards. The White Paper on Defence 2015 refers to utilising NATO as the standard and benchmark for the Defence Forces, it being the ‘ISO of the military world’. The Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in line with other Government Departments, operates a Refund/Advance of Fees Scheme. This is in line with Department of Finance Circular 23/2007, which guides how Refund of Fees Schemes are operated across the Civil Service. The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 May 2022, 313 personnel were discharged from the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) comprised of 21 officers and 292 enlisted personnel. The military authorities have provided the following tables which detail the reasons for discharge and the numbers discharged as at 31stMay 2022. Officers Reason Total Discharged Voluntary Retirement 16 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board.  The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces.  The pay rise referenced by the Deputy is not applicable to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Military Authorities have confirmed to me that there were no medals awarded, or disciplinary procedures actioned, by the Defence Forces as a result of shots being fired in relation to an incident at Portlaoise prison on 18 May 1988.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Visits (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I most recently spoke with my German colleague by telephone on 10 June in relation to Ireland’s decision to conclude our engagement with MINUSMA at the end of our current commitment in September. While I currently do not have any plans to invite my German counterpart to Ireland before the end of 2022, I anticipate that there will be an opportunity to meet fellow EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together. Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website - www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/. The information available on the Tracker has recently been upgraded and is an excellent guide as to where an application is in the system. The online Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 213, 215 and 218 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 (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211, 212, 214, 216 and 219 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 (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed as appropriate.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The tabling of a motion of no confidence in the Government at this time says more about the party opposite than the Government. This is a cynical political tactic to raise Sinn Féin's profile in the last week of a Dáil session, taking up valuable time when so many issues needs this Parliament's focus. What makes this stunt even more cynical is the reality that it will not succeed....

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Despite all of this, because of the Government's priorities, 30,000 homes have been commenced in the past year and close to 10,000 social homes will be delivered this year. We have much more to do. Unfortunately, we will have to do it in spite of those opposite. We will continue to protect a strong economy from Sinn Féin ideology and disruption, keeping people in work and growth...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) 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 over 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 466, 469 to 473, inclusive, 475 to 478, inclusive, 480, 481, 484 to 486, inclusive, 488 to 492, inclusive, 494, 495, 499, 504, 505, 512, 516, 523, 525 and 526 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 Conflicts (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply disturbed by the violence in Melilla on 24 June. I am also shocked at the tragic deaths of at least 23 migrants and injury to many other migrants, as well as to Moroccan and Spanish personnel. My thoughts and sympathies go to all those who lost loved ones and to those who sustained injuries. I welcome that the Spanish authorities have announced an investigation into this...