Results 2,321-2,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As has been the case throughout the Brexit process, the Taoiseach and Ministers continue our intensive engagement with our counterparts from other Member States, the EU institutions, and globally in support of our Brexit priorities. This outreach is supplemented by our Embassies abroad and by senior officials across the civil service. Solidarity with Ireland’s position and support for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 424 together. The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. Over 720,000 passports have been issued to date in 2022, compared to 634,000 in the whole of last year. The Passport Service continues to outperform its previous busiest year, 2019, by over 20%. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed it as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a network of 92 Honorary Consuls in 54 countries. The position is honorary and Honorary Consuls play an important role in delivering consular assistance and services to our citizens and in representing Ireland abroad. While the role and functions performed by Honorary Consuls can vary, they are generally appointed to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: In recent weeks we have had excellent communication and exchange, at both Ministerial and official level, with the Kingdom of Thailand. Although I have not had a meeting so far in 2022 with Thailand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am pleased to report that Thailand’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Vijavat Isarabhakdi, travelled to Ireland earlier this month and met with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The British Government’s 'Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill' was introduced on 17 May. The House of Commons have voted for the Bill to pass through its remaining stages, and the Bill will now go to the House of Lords for First Reading, though the date for this is not yet confirmed. It is deeply disappointing that the British Government has chosen to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has returned the original documentation that was submitted in support of the application. The documentation was dispatched with An Post from the Passport Service on 07/07/2022.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Arising from Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment, including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh. The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Pensions (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The number of  staff on the civil service payroll who are abated in my Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, is as follows. Number of staff abated under Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012   2

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together. As at 31 May 2022, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,243 personnel, or 87% of the establishment strength of 9,500 personnel.  This strength was comprised of:  - Army 6,670  personnel (establishment strength 7,520) - Air Corps was 728 personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 30 June 2022, is 748 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the strength by requested stream. Personnel Stream Strength as at 30/06/2022 Qualified pilots 97 Cadets currently completing military training* ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 to 433, inclusive, 442, 443 and 446 to 448, inclusive, together. As at 31 May, 2022, the latest date for which such figures are available, 33 of the 586 female Permanent Defence Force personnel were serving overseas. The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 586, by rank, is as follows. OFFICER LT GEN MAJ GEN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this. The strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 May 2022, the effective female strength of the RDF is 194 members. In line with current policies and commitments, a number...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The combined effective strength of the AR and NSR, at year end, for the past five years is set out below. Year AR & NSR Effective Personnel (at year end) 2021 1,489 2020 1,588 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government has approved a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 personnel (civil and military) over and above the current establishment of 9,500. Work has already commenced on this with the recently announced recruitment campaign,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of...