Results 2,161-2,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 86 and 99 together. As at 31 August, 2022, the latest date such details are available, the strength of the PDF was 8,146 personnel or 86% of the current agreed strength of 9,500. 579 of these were women. My focus is on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that a complaint has been made by EUROMIL to the European Committee on Social Rights. The procedure in general in a case like this, is the Committee registers the complaint and then seeks written observations from the Country concerned as to the admissibility of the complaint. I am advised by my officials that to date there has been no official correspondence received from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the number of courses and schemes offered is not maintained centrally. These details are maintained at a local unit/formation/branch level in a manner that does not readily lend itself to speedy collation permitting detailed analysis. Consequently, it has not been possible to compile the specific yearly figures requested in the time available. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate. The Working Time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 91 and 103 together. For 2023, the total allocation for Vote 36 – Defence is €893 million, which is an overall increase of €57 million on 2022, doubling the increase for Defence from last year and comprising of an increase of €35 million in the capital allocation and €22 million in the current allocation. The Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the Commission on the Defence Forces High Level Action Plan (HLAP) identifies a number of pay-related recommendations for progression, including the intention to progress implementation of the following: - Removing the requirement for a 3 Star Private/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank, - Ensuring that all personnel of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Commencing planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar, is one of a number of early actions identified in the High Level Action Plan that sets out the Government’s response to the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. While I can confirm that work is currently underway on this early action, and funding for this was prioritised in last week's budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed in the European Union Training Mission Mali (EUTM Mali) and no decision has been taken to end Defence Force participation in this mission. Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since its launch in 2013. Government has approved the mandate for the deployment of up to twenty (20) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with EUTM...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: For 2023, the total allocation for the Defence Vote Group is €1.174 billion, comprising €893 million for Vote 36 - Defence, and €281 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions, which is an overall increase of €67 million on 2022. The increase of €67 million is made up of an additional €35 million in respect of capital expenditure for the Defence Vote,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI, the UN mandated EU Naval mission in the eastern Mediterranean, was launched on the 31st of March 2020 with a mandate in place until the 31st of March 2023. The Operation’s core task is the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular and in accordance with United Nations Security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96, 102 and 114 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: In July Government approval was given for a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Following a conference at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 26 April, organised by the United States to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly Ukrainian defence capabilities, as well as pledge and coordinate further support to Ukraine, Ireland was invited to join the newly-formed Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Meetings of the Group have taken place on 23 May, 15 June, 20 July...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces have any record of any incursions into Irish Territorial Waters during the past eight months. The Naval Service and Air Corps carry out ongoing Maritime Defence and Security Operations within Irish territorial waters and the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 108 together. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces set out proposed initial implementation and oversight structures. A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 1st October, 2022, Ireland is contributing 548 personnel to 7 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The number of personnel serving overseas by rank is outlined in the following table. Rank Middle East Africa Balkans OP IRINI International...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy may be aware that a range of actions have been taken to address pay and conditions of staff in the Defence Forces, and the recent Report of the Commission on Defence Forces also makes a range of recommendations in this regard. The Report proposes significant changes, including to the level of Defence provision in Ireland and recommendations in relation to capacity components...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware, it has been a long-standing policy, to discontinue the historic provision of tied housing to Defence Forces personnel. This policy of discontinuing housing provision was introduced for the Defence Forces in the late 1990's and it is not intended to reverse this policy. Separately, Single Living in Accommodation is provided for personnel where it is required for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. I welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence...