Results 17,141-17,160 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (12 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Information sessions on GLAS and the BPS Scheme, which commenced on Monday of this week , are being rolled out across the country to inform farmers of requirements under these schemes. These meetings are open to all to attend. Details of the venues and times have been published in the national and farming press and are available on the Department website. Feedback from the initial meetings...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from1 September 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Remuneration (12 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility for the development and implementation of public service pay policy throughout the Public Sector. The employee referred to is employed with the Department of Defence as a civilian Storekeeper Clerk (SKC) Grade II, BFW Stores, in the Curragh Camp and is currently on the 2nd Long Service Increment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Environmental Policy (12 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As you may be aware, the management and protection of the Curragh plains, one of the most open and accessible areas in the Country, is an ongoing process which is the responsibility of the Department of Defence. Officials from my Department have in the past met with various parties involved in the use and management of the Curragh. A wide range of issues are discussed at these meetings...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cyber Security Policy (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: This is a relevant question in the context of the White Paper and the changing security concerns. The growth of cyber threats to critical private, government and defence networks requires a co-ordinated response at national and EU level across member states. There is a need to focus on advanced collaboration between the public and private sectors. The response to the cyber threat remains a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cyber Security Policy (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I agree with all of that. A high level interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and including senior representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces is finalising a draft national cybersecurity strategy that will focus on improving cybersecurity capabilities in Ireland. The draft strategy will be published this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cyber Security Policy (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not accept that other Departments do not have a significant role here. Yes, there is some expertise within the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in this area but there is also a lot of expertise within the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It deals with a lot of companies in the private sector on cybersecurity issues and has broad experience across...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Council Meetings (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: First, there is no standing EU army and as there are no plans for one, I am not sure where the Deputy is coming from in his question. It seems to suggest the informal meeting of Defence Ministers in Riga recently was undercover but nothing could be further from the truth. The most recent informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers took place in Riga, Latvia on 18 and 19 February. The informal...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Council Meetings (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: They are all very fair questions. We have an agreement to provide the LE Aoifewhich has been decommissioned to be used in Malta for security purposes and as part of a more effective response to the migration and human challenges faced by it. There has been some media coverage to the contrary but Malta is delighted to accept the vessel. We will help to train the crew and make sure they are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Council Meetings (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I can only speak for Ireland and different Ministers will have different views on this. I do not envisage Ireland being part of the development of a European army. Through the Partnership for Peace, we are part of the battle groups structure, which is a voluntary structure. Countries volunteer to be part of a certain battle group and we are part of the Nordic battle group, which is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: This is a matter discussed several times during Question Time. 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 which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. On...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not have the details of the aircraft that landed at the airport in my possession. What I do have in my possession is that which I have already outlined, namely, the dates on which emergency landings were sought and granted. Outside of that, I do not have with me any further details I can supply today.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: No, it was not.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am sure the Deputy probably knows the answers to these questions. When the Defence Forces deploys personnel to assist An Garda Síochána, which has primary responsibility for security, it does so in response to requests for assistance from the force. Such assistance is always provided. When a Defence Forces unit arrives to assist, a lead officer will be in charge and it is his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Corps Equipment (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence published in 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 air services. The Air Corps has traditionally discharged a mix of functions based on a need to supply a range of services, such as air ambulance, fishery protection and support to An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Corps Equipment (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: In regard to the incidents involving Russian aircraft, while the aircraft did not enter Irish sovereign airspace, they were flying in an area for which the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, has responsibility for air traffic control. I understand the IAA co-ordinated closely with its UK counterpart at all stages during the incident to avoid a risk to any civil aircraft. I also understand the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Corps Equipment (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Deputy that it is unacceptable for large aircraft to travell at high speed through international airspace that is the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority without informing it and with their transponders deliberately turned off. The only reason we knew they were there was the United Kingdom had informed us. The focus must be on our capacity to understand and know...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for asking this question as it gives me an opportunity to thank the members of the Permanent Defence Force involved in this important contribution towards the fight against Ebola. To assist in Ireland's response to the Ebola crisis in west Africa, five Defence Forces medical personnel have been deployed to Sierra Leone for a four month period to participate in the wider...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his recognition of the significant work which they volunteered to do. I have huge time for the personnel who have volunteered to be part of the mission. This is a new mission on a number of levels. For example, it is very much part of the UK mission in that this is the first time our medical people have slotted into a UK-managed mission. I was anxious for our...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Lariam is still used across the Defence Forces, although I am not sure if Defence Forces personnel in Sierra Leone are using that product or other products. The Defence Forces only use drugs that are approved by the Medical Council. As I am not a doctor, I take the advice of doctors as to the appropriate drugs for use as protection against malaria for troops. While the personnel in Sierra...