Results 18,501-18,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: There has been a considerable increase in activity in regard to herdnumbers arising from the new Basic Payments Scheme negotiated in the context of CAP reform. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of applications to my Department’ Regional Veterinary offices for new herdnumbers and amendments to existing herdnumbers. These are being processed as quickly as...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Inspections (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Administration (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. It is required to conduct its business in accordance with public procurement and other rules. I am aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. In December 2013 my Department commissioned Indecon consultants to carry out a review certain matters relating to Bord na...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Administration (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that I am anxious that Bord na gCon should strengthen its overall financial position and reduce its borrowings over time. Indeed it was in this context that when commissioning the Indecon Report in relation to Bord na gCon, I specifically asked that matters relating to finance be examined. That report makes a number of recommendations in this regard, including in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Administration (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The matter referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. However, I would expect Board na gCon to take all appropriate action to recover any sums owing to it, in order to protect its financial interests and those of the taxpayer. Bord na gCon does not require my approval to initiate legal proceedings.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 9thJune, 2015 a report commissioned by Bord na gCon, entitled‘The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry’, published in April 2011 and available from BNG, states that: - the industry employs just over 10,300 people directly and indirectly. - employment in the greyhound industry is spread very...

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: Naval Service Operations (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: L.É. Eithne is not engaged in Operation Triton or in any form of border security operations as part of its deployment to the Mediterranean. Section 3 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 permits, with the approval of the Government, the despatch of the Naval Service vessel and personnel for the purpose of “undertaking humanitarian tasks in response to an actual or potential...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (25 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The public consultation on the White Paper on Defence afforded all members of the public, whether as individuals, as groups or as organisations to make submissions on the formulation of the White Paper. A submission to the White Paper on Defence was received from ARCO during the public consultation phase. As part of the consultative process, a number of those who made written submissions...

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

Simon Coveney: In line with one of the recommendations of the VFM Review which provided for retention of a reorganised Reserve with a strength of approximately 4,000 personnel,the establishment of the Army and Naval Service Reserve is 4,069, comprising of 3,869 Army Reservists and 200 Naval Service Reservists. There is no specified strength level for the First Line Reserve. The effective strength of the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. The criteria for effectiveness of RDF personnel are set out in Defence Forces Regulations (DFR R5). The criteria for the effectiveness, including...

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

Simon Coveney: The Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. In order to facilitate the nature of Reserve service, training is organised both in and out of normal working hours and at weekends. Reserve training is...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (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 decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. The safety of all Irish Defence Forces...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. The total receipts from disposal of installations and lands from 1998 to date amount to approx €108 million. To date the sale has been completed on nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney,...

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

Simon Coveney: The Department is engaged in an ongoing Building and Engineering (B&E) Programme designed to maintain, modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities required by the Defence Forces. In addition to the major capital projects, there are ongoing minor works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of buildings and provide facilities generally for personnel....

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

Simon Coveney: As of 31 May, 2015, there are 32 whole-time equivalent posts filled by women serving in the Air Corps. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the...

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

Simon Coveney: The following table sets out the number of women in the Naval Service at all ranks as on 31 May 2015, which is the latest date for which figures are available. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. A number of specific initiatives have...

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

Simon Coveney: The extent and diversity of skills, both technical and academic, throughout the Defence Forces is extensive, matching the roles assigned to the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. There are numerous different job descriptions depending on the particular appointment held. These descriptions range from trained soldiers, sailors, airmen, cooks, drivers, mechanics, paramedics, plumbers,...

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to be in the House to discuss the forthcoming White Paper on defence prior to its finalisation and submission to Government. I hope this will happen in two weeks' time. First, I wish to congratulate Rear Admiral Mark Mellett, whose name was approved by Cabinet today to go for approval to the President to be the next Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces from the end of...