Results 20,661-20,680 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have not been involved in any discussions at European Union level regarding the import or export of arms from Israel. I have previously outlined to the Deputy and the House the position with regard to the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence. I have also explained the scale and type of such equipment that the Department has acquired from Israeli companies in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for the security of the State lies with An Garda Síochána and in the event of any terrorist attack, the Gardaí would have primary responsibility, with support provided by the Defence Forces.  I am regularly in touch with my EU colleagues both in the context of European Defence and Security and other matters. In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I have previously stated to the House, the Government approved arrangements in July 2011, whereby Enterprise Ireland (EI) would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere. At the time of the decision,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and in the event of a terrorist incident, An Garda Síochána would be the first responders. An Garda Síochána may request assistance from the Defence Forces in the context of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). Significant and continuous...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Explosive Ordnance Disposal is the military term used to refer to what is commonly called ‘bomb disposal’. Explosive Ordnance Disposal is also a task assigned to the Defence Forces by Government and is provided in Aid to the Civil Power. Within the Defence Forces, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal function is assigned to the Ordnance Corps. I am informed by the military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various parts of the Irish public sector. In this regard, the level of remuneration in the Defence sector has maintained relativity with the levels available in other related public sector employments. The Financial Emergency Measures in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Implementation Plan (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence, which was published in August 2015, sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond. I have asked the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff to submit a joint implementation plan which will identify priorities, responsibilities and timescales in relation to implementing the White Paper. Work on development of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence, and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment, which is in line with best international standards, as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government. Going forward, the equipment priorities for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There has been a lot of scaremongering concerning the future of Custume Barracks over the last few years, and I was very happy to meet local representatives from the Athlone area recently to put to rest the unfounded rumours in this regard. As I stated at that meeting, I am committed to the future of Custume Barracks as an important, operational military Barracks. There are no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The deployment of naval assets to support Italy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean has been very significant. L.É. Samuel Beckett, which is currently deployed, is the third ship to join the mission, following the successful deployments of L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh. The three Naval Vessels have rescued a combined total of 8,592 migrants to date....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 2016 Defence allocation, amounting to €904m, is made up of two Votes, Vote 35 (Army Pensions) with €224m and Vote 36 (Defence) with €680m. The Army Pensions allocation, which is primarily demand-led and non-discretionary, will provide retirement benefits to some 12,100 military pensioners and their dependants. The Defence Vote allocation includes €498m for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battle Groups (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Participation in EU Battlegroups demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the development of EU capabilities in the area of crisis management and contributes to our overall credibility within the Union. Ireland's continuing active engagement in EU Battlegroups enhances our capacity to influence the ongoing development and evolution of the rapid response capacity of the EU, in particular, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s 2016-2021 Capital Investment Plan provides a significant boost in capital funding for the Defence Sector. The €437m allocated to Defence, which includes an additional €65m over the 2016-2021 timeframe, will allow Defence to make significant investments in equipment and infrastructure over the lifetime of the Capital Plan. Proposals under the Capital...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: In May 2015, during a visit to Ireland, the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, observed the value in some situations of being able to call upon female peacekeepers having regard to the multifaceted nature of peacekeeping challenges. He requested that consideration be given to the contribution of women soldiers to UN operations and that Ireland might factor this into its...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 51st Infantry Group is the latest contingent of the Defence Forces who deployed this month to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Irish contingent comprising 197 personnel is based primarily in Camp 2-45 as part of a joint battalion with Finland. The decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. The safety of all Irish Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed in the Middle East are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 192 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 150 personnel. In addition, the deployment of naval assets to support Italy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Internal Security Issues (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Whilst matters of internal security are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána,discussions with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality take place on an ongoing basis in relation to such matters. Both Minister Fitzgerald and I have discussed the tragic events that took place in Paris last Friday week and there is also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Internal Secrutiy Issues (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Whilst matters of internal security are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána, there is ongoing liaison between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to such matters. Following the Paris attacks, there have been discussions between officials at the most senior level in relation to the implications...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: L.É. Samuel Beckett is the third Irish Naval vessel deployed to the Mediterranean to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis, in line with the Government Decision on 12 May 2015. L.É. Samuel Beckett is continuing the excellent work undertaken by L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh in the Mediterranean. The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (24 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 51st Infantry Group is the latest contingent of the Defence Forces who deployed this month to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Irish contingent comprising 197 personnel is based primarily in Camp 2-45 as part of a joint battalion with Finland. The decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. The safety of all Irish Defence Forces...