Results 38,801-38,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Recognising that Brexit would profoundly impact Northern Ireland, the UK and the European Union agreed through the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland arrangements for mitigating those impacts and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions. The Protocol places Northern Ireland in a uniquely advantageous position, with access to both the EU’s single market as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government nominates officers for Ambassadorial posts on foot of proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The nominated Ambassadors are subsequently appointed by the President and take up duty abroad following the receipt of agrémentfrom the receiving State. Only serving civil servants, mostly based in the Department of Foreign Affairs, are considered for ambassadorial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned at the deteriorating Human Rights situation in Turkey and have raised this issue and Ireland’s concerns on a number of occasions when meeting with my Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Çavusoglu, including most recently when we met en margeof the UN General Assembly High Level Week in New York. During this most recent meeting, I raised concerns over...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The recent actions of the Russian Federation required a strong response from EU countries, which stand united in support of Ukraine. A meeting of EU Foreign Ministers took place in New York in reaction to President Putin’s announcements of a partial mobilisation and nuclear threats, where it was agreed to prepare a new EU sanctions package as soon as possible. This latest sanctions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 82 together. Arising from the recommendations in the report of the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force, a joint civil/military review of barriers to extended participation in the Permanent Defence Force was conducted. The review considered a number of matters including mandatory retirement ages and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in February 2022. It is a substantial report running to over 180 pages and 69 main recommendations many of which have sub recommendations. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the invasion by Russia of Ukraine, Ireland has been and remains resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine. We are honouring our commitment to help people who have been displaced by this horrendous war. Ireland is continuing to provide strong political and practical support for Ukraine and we continue to assert Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. While Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 86 and 99 together. As at 31 August, 2022, the latest date such details are available, the strength of the PDF was 8,146 personnel or 86% of the current agreed strength of 9,500. 579 of these were women. My focus is on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that a complaint has been made by EUROMIL to the European Committee on Social Rights. The procedure in general in a case like this, is the Committee registers the complaint and then seeks written observations from the Country concerned as to the admissibility of the complaint. I am advised by my officials that to date there has been no official correspondence received from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the number of courses and schemes offered is not maintained centrally. These details are maintained at a local unit/formation/branch level in a manner that does not readily lend itself to speedy collation permitting detailed analysis. Consequently, it has not been possible to compile the specific yearly figures requested in the time available. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate. The Working Time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 91 and 103 together. For 2023, the total allocation for Vote 36 – Defence is €893 million, which is an overall increase of €57 million on 2022, doubling the increase for Defence from last year and comprising of an increase of €35 million in the capital allocation and €22 million in the current allocation. The Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the Commission on the Defence Forces High Level Action Plan (HLAP) identifies a number of pay-related recommendations for progression, including the intention to progress implementation of the following: - Removing the requirement for a 3 Star Private/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank, - Ensuring that all personnel of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Commencing planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar, is one of a number of early actions identified in the High Level Action Plan that sets out the Government’s response to the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. While I can confirm that work is currently underway on this early action, and funding for this was prioritised in last week's budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed in the European Union Training Mission Mali (EUTM Mali) and no decision has been taken to end Defence Force participation in this mission. Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since its launch in 2013. Government has approved the mandate for the deployment of up to twenty (20) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with EUTM...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: For 2023, the total allocation for the Defence Vote Group is €1.174 billion, comprising €893 million for Vote 36 - Defence, and €281 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions, which is an overall increase of €67 million on 2022. The increase of €67 million is made up of an additional €35 million in respect of capital expenditure for the Defence Vote,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI, the UN mandated EU Naval mission in the eastern Mediterranean, was launched on the 31st of March 2020 with a mandate in place until the 31st of March 2023. The Operation’s core task is the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular and in accordance with United Nations Security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96, 102 and 114 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: In July Government approval was given for a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Following a conference at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 26 April, organised by the United States to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly Ukrainian defence capabilities, as well as pledge and coordinate further support to Ukraine, Ireland was invited to join the newly-formed Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Meetings of the Group have taken place on 23 May, 15 June, 20 July...