Results 38,641-38,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I was deeply concerned by the reports of renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan earlier this month. While Ireland has not provided direct aid to internally-displaced civilians in Armenia, in 2022 Ireland did provide an unearmarked (fully flexible) contribution of €10.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for use in global programmes. The...

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

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants. 

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Medals (29 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: In general, military medals are awarded in recognition of specific acts or service at home or overseas, which can vary in significance from routine duty, to distinguished service and gallantry. There is a specific process in place concerning the award of medals to members of the Defence Forces, as set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 and the associated Administration...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I very much welcome this opportunity to engage with Members of Seanad Éireann on matters relating to the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I look forward to hearing the contributions of Senators. The establishment of the Commission on the Defence Forces was set out in the programme for Government and was a key priority for me, as the Minister for Defence. When the...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is not actually as Senator Clonan describes.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: We have dealt with that issue.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is being implemented.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is important to be accurate on these issues.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I clarified that at the start of the debate. It is-----

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is quite a lot to respond to there. I had a closing speech but I will put it aside and try to answer people's questions. Every second speaker raised the issue of pay and allowances. Many of the people campaigning for the Defence Forces representative associations to have a relationship with ICTU in the context of the public sector pay discussions need to understand they cannot have...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: On the sub-sea cables issue, we need to be careful not to over react to a potential threat but we cannot ignore it either. The Nordstream I and 2 pipelines are, because of the nature of those pipelines, particularly controversial given what is happening in Ukraine and the various different pressures regarding the use of energy and energy supply as part of a hybrid war tool. That said, we...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: For the budget that we have committed by 2028, I insisted on picking a point in time before the war in Ukraine and before the commission reported, which was January 2022, so that we could have a reference point for what were military prices at that point in time. Where we need to be by 2028 is the equivalent of €1.5 billion in January 2022 prices, for 2028, which I think will be close...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Let me make it clear. That decision has not been made. It is not close to being made.We are doing some research on Cathal Brugha Barracks but there has been no decision to close it. I do not believe that barracks will be closing. I know I am a bit tight for time now.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have 30 seconds to deal with a great deal. I aware of dereliction in the Curragh Barracks; we are working on it. It is part of the capital programme. We have €270 million of expenditure over the next few years already mapped out. From a Haulbowline perspective, recruits there today will see new ships, and €74 million of capital investment on the island over the next ten...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Transport (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The following are details of domestic flights taken by me, the Ministers of State, and staff in my Department in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. Year Number of flights Route No of Passengers 2019 0 N/A N/A 2020 0 N/A N/A 2021 0 N/A...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace-support missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are pushing to improve the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations. We are working to ensure that the mandates for peacekeeping missions align with the needs of the populations that they...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not have any unilateral sanctions regimes and the Government has no plans to introduce any. However, and as referred to by the Deputy, Ireland implements EU sanctions adopted as part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (as well as implementing UN sanctions). The introduction of new EU sanctions requires consensus among all EU Member States. There have been no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. Ireland and the EU have reiterated calls on Russia to fully comply with its obligations under international law, and have condemned in the strongest possible terms violations of international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am very concerned by the escalation in tensions in Jerusalem in recent days, particularly at the Al Aqsa compound. These events did not happen in isolation; they are part of a broader cycle of violence in the West Bank. Ireland expressed concern regarding this increase in violence in a statement to the United Nations Security Council on 28 September, and reiterated that the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the outcome of the family code referendum in Cuba on 25 September, which provides for the expansion of marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples, and also introduces a range of other measures to promote inclusion, gender equality, and protection of the elderly and children. The result of this referendum is a significant and positive moment for the people of Cuba. The fact...