Results 16,801-16,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I answered a related Priority Question earlier and said we had made significant progress on this issue. Since 12 or 15 February, we have the result of third party arbitration on a final recommendation to the Government on how to proceed. I cannot publish the arbitration report until it has been considered fully by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has raised the matter with me a number of times and I am very conscious of the fact that he represents a constituency that has a very strong Defence Forces interest. This has been one of the issues that has been ongoing for some time. We are very close to a conclusion and I hope people will be able to accept the final outcome when we publish it in a few weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Airport Security (18 Feb 2015)

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. The Gardaí have requested ATCP support from the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years, amounting to some €6.4m from 2009 to date. While there are no major capital projects planned...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: LÉ Aoife was decommissioned from the Naval Service fleet on 31st January 2015 following 35 years of service. The ceremony took place in Waterford as the ship had a long association with the city. The proud record of the ship in operational service with the Naval Service was duly recognised and the range of activities which the ship was involved in was recalled and commended. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Navigation Orders (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for an airspace of some 450,000 sq. kms comprising of both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. These latter responsibilities for airspace over the high seas are exercised under assignment from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). All air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 9 December 2014, the Government approved the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the new NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which commenced on 01 January 2015, following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission from Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission is a non-combat training and advisory mission. It is designed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The priority for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces at home and on overseas peace support operations and to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. Tender competitions for defensive equipment for the Defence Forces are conducted by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Security and Defence Co-operation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Work is continuing on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding defence provision. A key part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Security and Defence Co-operation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Work is continuing on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding future defence provision. A key part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence (2000) sets out the current defence policy framework. The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State. These supports include maintenance of a general helicopter capability for a variety of tasks, including support to An Garda Síochána, as well as provision of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: UN Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since 2013. The current Irish contingent, the 46th Infantry Group, is based in UNDOF Headquarters in Camp Ziouani. It operates in the role of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. Responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. However, the White Paper on Defence (2000) provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 9 December 2014, the Government approved the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the new NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which commenced on 01 January 2015, following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission from Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission is a non-combat training and advisory mission. It is designed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I jointly launched the “Be Winter Ready” Government Information Campaign for 2014/2015 on 13 November 2014 with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. A cross-Departmental working group of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning has met on a regular basis during 2014 to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MOU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Housing (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under military regulations married quarters have in the past been allocated to serving personnel upon request. Personnel who leave the Defence Forces or who vacate a married quarter property that had been assigned to them are required under regulations to return vacant possession of that property. Where the property is not vacated those remaining in the property are overholding and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: UN Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1st February 2015, Ireland is contributing 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International...