Results 2,221-2,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Let me make it clear. That decision has not been made. It is not close to being made.We are doing some research on Cathal Brugha Barracks but there has been no decision to close it. I do not believe that barracks will be closing. I know I am a bit tight for time now.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have 30 seconds to deal with a great deal. I aware of dereliction in the Curragh Barracks; we are working on it. It is part of the capital programme. We have €270 million of expenditure over the next few years already mapped out. From a Haulbowline perspective, recruits there today will see new ships, and €74 million of capital investment on the island over the next ten...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Transport (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The following are details of domestic flights taken by me, the Ministers of State, and staff in my Department in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. Year Number of flights Route No of Passengers 2019 0 N/A N/A 2020 0 N/A N/A 2021 0 N/A...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace-support missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are pushing to improve the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations. We are working to ensure that the mandates for peacekeeping missions align with the needs of the populations that they...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not have any unilateral sanctions regimes and the Government has no plans to introduce any. However, and as referred to by the Deputy, Ireland implements EU sanctions adopted as part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (as well as implementing UN sanctions). The introduction of new EU sanctions requires consensus among all EU Member States. There have been no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. Ireland and the EU have reiterated calls on Russia to fully comply with its obligations under international law, and have condemned in the strongest possible terms violations of international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am very concerned by the escalation in tensions in Jerusalem in recent days, particularly at the Al Aqsa compound. These events did not happen in isolation; they are part of a broader cycle of violence in the West Bank. Ireland expressed concern regarding this increase in violence in a statement to the United Nations Security Council on 28 September, and reiterated that the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the outcome of the family code referendum in Cuba on 25 September, which provides for the expansion of marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples, and also introduces a range of other measures to promote inclusion, gender equality, and protection of the elderly and children. The result of this referendum is a significant and positive moment for the people of Cuba. The fact...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to one of the applicants. With regard to the other application, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and New Zealand enjoy close diplomatic relations and our Embassies are engaged in a range of activities to deepen our engagement. In April 2021 we held wide-ranging bilateral consultations, with agreed areas of follow up, to further strengthen cooperation in a number of areas, including agriculture. In October 2021, Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connorvisited and signed a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Germany is a valued partner within the EU and the range of ongoing contacts at both political and senior official level are extensive, with several Ministerial-level visits to Germany so far this year, including one I made last February when I attended the Munich Security Conference. Under the Germany–Ireland Joint Plan of Action for Enhanced Bilateral and EU Cooperationbilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Transport (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: There were no domestic flights taken by Junior Ministers, Department staff or myself for work purposes in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 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 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 period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that works on this major refurbishment building project at the USAC, accommodation block in Renmore Barracks have commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) in 2020 sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on requirements identified from a survey of all DF installations and on the achievement of the high-level goals set out in White Paper 2015. The Deputy may wish to note, as advised by the military authorities, that the following maintenance and refurbishment works were...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Under the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Essentially there are two types of pension which can be payable to former members of the Defence Forces; a service (retirement) pension and/or a disablement pension. Some pensioners are in receipt of a service pension only, some are in receipt of both a service pension and a disablement pension, and some are in receipt of a disablement pension only. A breakdown showing the numbers of former...