Results 24,061-24,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I also pay tribute to the families concerned. Anyone who has met the Smallhorne and Barrett families and Mr. O'Mahony knows that they are incredibly decent people who are trying to move on with their lives and seek justice. They have been campaigning on that basis for many years. For this reason we all owe it to them, the Defence Forces and the former colleagues of the two murdered...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Judging by my discussions in Beirut, the authorities are doing what they can to establish the facts in this case. My understanding is that, with a view to assisting authorities in the review of the case that was then under way, Mr. Bazzi was detained when he arrived back in Beirut and that this is still the situation.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On the last occasion we dealt with the issue at Question Time I said I hoped to be able to provide a good deal of clarity the next time we met to discuss it. I will bring the Deputy up to date on where the process is at. While significant progress has been made in recent discussions between the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Yes, it has.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for showing some understanding of the process needed in this respect. As he did not have to take that line, it is appreciated. Unfortunately, the arbitration process did not come up with a compromise or final agreement between PDFORRA and my Department, which is why we went to a third party for adjudication, to examine all of the issues involved and make a ruling and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The adjudicator's ruling will form the basis of agreement, but I do not want to go into the detail of that matter. PDFORRA will make its own judgment on it and I will not speak for it. We have been through an exhaustive process of many months. The system has been working, we have gone through the various arbitration and, subsequently, adjudication processes and we have the report that will...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Airport Security (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Gardaí have requested ATCP support from the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years, amounting to some €6.4m from 2009 to date. While there are no major capital projects planned...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: LÉ Aoife was decommissioned from the Naval Service fleet on 31st January 2015 following 35 years of service. The ceremony took place in Waterford as the ship had a long association with the city. The proud record of the ship in operational service with the Naval Service was duly recognised and the range of activities which the ship was involved in was recalled and commended. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Navigation Orders (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for an airspace of some 450,000 sq. kms comprising of both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. These latter responsibilities for airspace over the high seas are exercised under assignment from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). All air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 9 December 2014, the Government approved the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the new NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which commenced on 01 January 2015, following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission from Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission is a non-combat training and advisory mission. It is designed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The priority for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces at home and on overseas peace support operations and to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. Tender competitions for defensive equipment for the Defence Forces are conducted by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Security and Defence Co-operation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Work is continuing on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding defence provision. A key part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Security and Defence Co-operation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Work is continuing on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding future defence provision. A key part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence (2000) sets out the current defence policy framework. The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State. These supports include maintenance of a general helicopter capability for a variety of tasks, including support to An Garda Síochána, as well as provision of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: UN Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since 2013. The current Irish contingent, the 46th Infantry Group, is based in UNDOF Headquarters in Camp Ziouani. It operates in the role of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. Responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. However, the White Paper on Defence (2000) provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 9 December 2014, the Government approved the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the new NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which commenced on 01 January 2015, following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission from Afghanistan. Resolute Support Mission is a non-combat training and advisory mission. It is designed...