Results 15,481-15,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way. Work on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: In late 2013, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) would commence in 2014 to review all elements of Government spending and inform decisions on expenditure allocations for the years 2015–2017. The Department of Defence made a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June, 2014, as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: In 2009 PA Consultants recommended a programme of major change in relation to Defence Forces Medical Services. As recommended by the consultants, a number of working groups were set up to progress the various change projects identified. The working groups were tasked with identifying the practical steps which needed to be taken to achieve implementation of the PA report recommendations for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: An Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Green Paper on Defence, which was published in 2013, considered the relevance of the “triple lock” mechanism in a world where defence and security threats are becoming more interconnected, more diverse, less visible and less predictable than heretofore. The Green Paper noted the requirement for a UN resolution as part of the “triple lock” reflects the central...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 November 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 418 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the following tabular statement. United Nations peacekeeping operations are deployed on the basis of mandates from the United Nations Security Council. Their roles differ from situation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. The Air Corps do not have a monitoring role with regard to foreign military aircraft on Irish territory and in Irish air space. I understand from my colleague,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way. Work on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. The Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF. The re are currently seven (7) personnel serving with the force and they are all located in ISAF HQ, Kabul and work in staff...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As I have previously outlined in the House, a claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have been taking place with the Representative Association, with regards to their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: A number of safety reviews and audits have been undertaken during the period in question. In August 2013, the Air Corps commissioned a review of its Safety Management System. A report entitled “Irish Air Corps Safety Management Review” was completed in November 2013 and is in the process of being implemented. This review arose from one of the recommendations made by the Air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. The Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF. There are currently seven (7) personnel serving with the force and they are all located in ISAF HQ, Kabul and work in staff...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. Seven members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently serving in the mission headquarters. The ISAF mission is due to conclude on 31 December 2014 and the overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway. The withdrawal of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Defence Forces are not the only Defence Force using Lariam. I am advised that Lariam is also used by Sweden, Israel, Greece, Canada and Slovenia. The Military Authorities advise that it is a matter for individual Defence Forces to determine whichever malaria chemoprophylaxis it deems most suitable for use. Individual Defence Forces may have regard to the operational commitments and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Three members of the Permanent Defence Force are to deploy to the Embassy of Ireland, Freetown, Sierra Leone to assist in Ireland’s response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. The three personnel, all of whom have considerable collective experience in West Africa, will be deployed to the Embassy under the Emergency Civilian Assistance Team initiative, established by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are available, is 9,200 of which 556 (6.04%) are female. The effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) for the same date is 2,383, of which 361 (15.15%) are female. The table contains the above mentioned strengths. The establishment ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. The Defence Forces do not have a role in ensuring foreign military aircraft are not armed, carrying arms or engaging in military exercises or operations. I...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware the former barracks in Mullingar is currently used by Westmeath GAA Board under a short term licence. The former barracks is also currently used by An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes and it is intended that these arrangements will remain in place. A number of other organisations and individuals have also made enquiries/suggestions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Revised organisational structures for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) came into effect on 30 November 2012. This re-organisation consolidated under-strength Army Units into a smaller number of full strength Units, within a revised two Brigade structure. Previous structures were officially disestablished at midnight on 29 November 2012. The re-organisation prioritised the operational...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Rural areas have been particularly badly hit by the economic downturn and the CEDRA report, which was published earlier this year, contained 34 main recommendations to help support the medium term economic development of rural areas for the period to 2025.  Minister of State Phelan has established the CEDRA Inter-Departmental Group (CEDRA IDG) in order to progress the implementation of...