Results 18,461-18,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: On the one hand, the Deputy argues that we should not take sides, while, on the other, she asks the Government to impose embargoes. We must take sides at different times, on different issues and in different conflicts. Neutrality is all about the ability to take sides without being tied down to military alliances. We work with the United States on many levels, including politically and...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I indicated, it would not surprise me if we had more contact with the United States defence attaché.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The background to the deployment of a Naval Service vessel to Skellig Michael last year arose from the establishment, by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, of a three day maritime exclusion zone around the site in accordance with the Marine Safety Act 2005. I understand that this exclusion zone was placed at the request of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 1 July 2003 the Government decided that Magee Barracks would be among the State lands released to Kildare County Council for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. On foot of this Government decision, Kildare County Council prepared a local area plan for the site which encompassed a range of uses including community use. Following discussions at that time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The total realised from 1998 to date in terms of sales of surplus property is €108m approx, a portion of which has been retained and re-invested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence and the Government decision of February 2000 which approved the allocation of the revenue arising from the sale of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the European Union military operation, EUNAVFOR MED, which following the formal Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 June, a Council Decision to launch the mission was adopted. The mission is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean. The Mission will be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities, L.É. Eithne arrived in the South Central Mediterranean on 23 May 2015, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Irish Red Cross Governance (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent charitable body corporate with full power to manage and administer its own affairs. I am satisfied that the Society has made substantial improvements to its governance framework in recent years which comply with the standards set by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I would like to advise the Deputy that I have received a disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, and follow up correspondence, from an individual alleging that a number of Air Corps Aircraft Inspectors have authorisation to certify sheet metal repairs and modifications without the required qualifications or experience to do so. On foot of the information received I have directed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, malaria is a very serious disease which kills approximately 1 million people every year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a grave threat to any military force operating in the area.   In the decade of deployment to sub-Saharan Africa by the Defence Forces, not a single member of the Defence Forces has died from malaria. The anti-malaria regime in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities, L.É. Eithne arrived in the South Central Mediterranean on 23 May 2015, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The individual that the Deputy is referring to was retired by the President, on the advice of the Government, with effect from a date in June, 1969. His retirement was effected pursuant to Section 47(2) of the Defence Act, 1954 and Paragraph 18(1)(f) of Defence Force Regulations A.15, which provide that an officer may be retired “in the interests of the service”. This case was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 01 June 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 497 Defence Forces personnel to 13 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement attached. The most recent deployment overseas was the despatch of the Irish naval vessel, L.É. Eithne, to assist the Italian...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean is of great concern to Ireland, and to its EU and Southern partners. On Monday 20 April, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade attended a joint meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs and Justice and Home Affairs Councils to discuss migration issues, and in particular the situation in the Mediterranean.  At that meeting, Ministers Frances...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities, L.É. Eithne arrived in the South Central Mediterranean on 23 May 2015, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: A Council Decision to launch the European Union military operation, EUNAVFOR MED, was adopted at the formal Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 June. The mission is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean.  Irish Defence Forces Personnel are not taking any part in this mission. The Mission will be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (25 Jun 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: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy, in relation to the use of anti-malaria medication, is in line with current HPRA approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC). The Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy, in relation to the use of anti-malaria medication, including Lariam, is in line with current HPRA approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC)....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible in the time available to provide the information sought by the Deputy. The information requested will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.