Results 15,441-15,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Fisheries Sector: Statements (12 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Because that application is being considered at the moment by those who will advise me on the science around that application, I am barred from discussing it. I have made that very clear many times. Senator Brennan raised the issue of apprenticeship opportunities. We are looking for a new generation of fishermen and there are grant-aid supports for that. Part of that will be training...

Seanad: Fisheries Sector: Statements (12 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: We have implemented nearly all the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas report. The main recommendation was that there would be a body that would represent inshore fishermen so that inshore fishermen would have a much-increased input into the development of policy that affects them and their industry and that is exactly what we are doing now. For the first time ever we have introduced...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As I have previously outlined in the House, a claim from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, in respect of this matter is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is important to make a distinction between policy decisions and a process that was agreed and is under way in the Defence Forces to try to bring this issue to a conclusion by finding an acceptable and reasonable compromise. That is what we have been trying to do through arbitration and we have now moved to a third-party process. Instead of making a political decision on the basis of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is important to bear in mind the historical context here. The individuals concerned started off on a five-year contract and a great deal of flexibility has been shown in accommodating and extending their careers within the Defence Forces. I expect that some flexibility will also be shown in this instance. I want to see an arbitration process and an independent third party adjudicating...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Minister for Defence, I take the opportunity to express my sympathy for the family of Cadet David Jevens following the very tragic and difficult accident in which he lost his life. I realise it has taken a very severe toll on David's parents. We want to do everything we can to assist the family in getting through a very difficult and dark time....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to do so.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is a key element of Ireland's foreign policy and has been an important dimension in meeting our international obligations as a member of the UN and the EU. Irish foreign policy is directed at supporting co-operative arrangements for collective security through the development of international organisations, especially the United Nations, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand the point the Deputy is making and we must prioritise. The Defence Forces has limited capacity in terms of peacekeeping abroad and we do not want to spread ourselves too thinly. It is important to distinguish between peacekeeping missions or other peace support missions the UN or NATO co-ordinate and the role of the UN in that. The way the UN undertakes missions in different...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: We do not accede to every request. We have a strong reputation within the UN for a country that has Defence Forces with the level of experience, expertise and skill set to do difficult post-conflict and peacekeeping operations. We do that in partnership with a number of other countries that have a reputation for doing the same. Any decision to send Defence Forces personnel abroad is not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I was made aware of number of issues for the first time at the recent PDFORRA annual conference. I presume the Deputy is referring to the claim that five members of the Permanent Defence Force were sleeping in cars because they could not afford the cost of commuting to their place of work and claims that approximately 20% of PDFORRA’s membership are availing of family income...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I cannot confirm the 20% figure because I do not know that it is factually true. I have no reason to disbelieve PDFORRA and I will be meeting the organisation shortly to discuss a range of issues. I presume this will be one of them. There are many sectors of Irish society, particularly across the public sector that have seen and experienced financial pressures over the past five years....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: No, I am not prepared to concede that. The Defence Forces are different from other organisations and public sector roles. When one signs up for the Defence Forces, one is signing up to a life defending the State and this is accompanied by certain rights and responsibilities. I am not willing to concede that at the moment, but certainly there are channels within the Defence Forces through...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I take some of those points. I do not want to repeat my reply to the previous question. Two Departments are involved in this matter, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We are trying to maintain a Defence Forces strength of 9,500. We are in the process of taking on a significant number of new recruits to ensure we maintain that strength, which obviously will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I take seriously my duty of care to Defence Forces personnel. In regard to basic pay, the only pay agreement for which this Government is responsible is the Haddington Road agreement. There was no cut to basic pay for enlisted Defence Forces personnel under that agreement. I will not go into previous pay deals or decisions previous Governments were forced to take. That is our record. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The only reason I referred to basic pay was because the Deputy referred to basic pay. I accept that other elements also affect people's incomes. I am not pretending this is not an issue. I also acknowledge that other elements of Haddington Road have impacted on effective take-home pay of people in the Defence Forces. Of course we will take note of any legal judgments made in Ireland or...

Other Questions: Air Ambulance Service Provision (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, as he has been involved in this issue, in June 2012, a memorandum of understanding was agreed between my Department and the Department of Health, in regard to Air Corps support of a pilot emergency aeromedical support, EAS, service operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. The purpose of the pilot service was to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated...

Other Questions: Air Ambulance Service Provision (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: This has been a very good success and a great partnership. The Defence Forces, as always, have shown they can be flexible and accommodate broad requests and concerns with which they are asked to assist. The Air Corps has done a great job. We await the result of an implementation group on how we can provide the service into the future on a permanent basis. If the recommendation is that the...

Other Questions: Air Ambulance Service Provision (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: There is no reluctance at all. We have been a fully-fledged partner in providing the service, which everybody accepts has been a great success. However, it is a pilot project which we will keep in place until a permanent structure and implementation plan has been agreed. If such a plan involves a request for Defence Forces participation, we will consider it, and I suspect we will do so...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 people, comprising 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel. I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2014, the latest date for which details are available, was...