Results 2,181-2,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main day-to-day tasking of...

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

Simon Coveney: The primary roles allocated to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), thus far, have been to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crises and to contribute to State ceremonial events. The Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has now been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas, in support of the PDF and where...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland participated in the UN Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) on 19th July 2022 following the release of the annual report by the UN Secretary General on CAAC, which examines both trends and specific country situations, listing all armed groups that recruit and use children.  Ireland expressed our dismay at the high numbers of children killed and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is firmly committed to working with the British government and with the parties in Northern Ireland in support of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent implementing agreements. Indeed, the text of the Good Friday Agreement was included as part of a Treaty between the British and Irish Governments that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not have any contracts with the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are no organisations or agencies established by, or falling under the remit of, my Department. I confirm this in the light of communication by officials of my Department with officials in the Deputy's office, as they sought and received clarification on the terms of the Deputy's request and the information being sought.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Gender equality is at the heart of Ireland’s foreign and domestic policy, and ending gender-based violence is essential to achieving a gender-equal future. Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations globally. Ireland has been a longstanding champion of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the UN, and it is a key priority for our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability, peace, and economic growth. I welcomed the 23 June decision of the European Council to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine, as well as to Moldova. The decision...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 224 together. Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. There are currently seven recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question and am pleased to refer him to my previous responses to parliamentary questions no [4176/22] dated the 27thJanuary 2022, no [15001/22] dated the 22nd March 2022, and no [33539/22] dated 23 June 2022. The human rights situation in any particular country is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and a universally agreed global ranking...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. The brutal campaign by the military has had devastating consequences for the people of Myanmar. I utterly condemn the coup and attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. Ireland remains concerned by the continued detainment and politically-motivated verdicts against...

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

Simon Coveney: I confirm that my Department has no contracts with Top Security.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I would like to thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to highlight the significant investments we have made in Defence Forces built infrastructure. In 2022, we provided a record level of money to support and improve the building stock. We are going even further in 2023, with an allocation for next year of €55m, the biggest yearly allocation towards the building programme...

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

Simon Coveney: I am advised that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have contracts with the specified company.

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

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 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...

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 area. The Report proposes significant changes, including to the level of Defence provision in Ireland and recommendations in relation to capacity components required...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 236 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  In this context, the principal aim over the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service and the Air Corps carry out surveillance of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and periodically patrol beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they undertake general surveillance, security and...