Results 24,741-24,760 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks Closures (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is engaged in 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 €6.38m from 2009 to date. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Stát Seirbhís (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Níl aon phoist sonracha sa Roinn ina dteastaíonn daoine atá in ann feidhmiú go dátheangach. Tá leibhéal áirithe inniúlachta i nGaeilge de dhíth i measc na foirne chun oibleagáidí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh agus chun cuidiú le déileáil le corr-fhiosrúchán i nGaeilge....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Agency (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The European Defence Agency was set up in 2004 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. Ireland contributes, on an annual basis, to the operational budget of the Agency. The financial commitment of participants to this budget is in accordance with EDA funding principles, based on gross national income (GNI) key. Ireland’s contribution to the budget of the EDA to date is: Year...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: All matters taken to the Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force, be they lodged by the Representative Side or by the Official Side, are dealt with in as timely a manner as is possible. Matters lodged at Conciliation Council or discussed at Sub-committees of Council are items for consideration which may be agreed or disagreed in accordance with the Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 and the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act, 2009 provide authority for intelligence gathering and surveillance to be conducted by the Defence Forces in the interests of the security of the State. The powers provided to the Defence Forces in these Acts are subject to the restrictions and safeguards...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 to 376, inclusive, together. As of 1 January 2015, Ireland is contributing 426 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks Closures (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. To date the sale has been completed on nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Rockhill(Letterkenny), and a large portion of Longford. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service and the establishment strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 4,069, comprising of 3,869 Army Reservists and 200 Naval Service Reservists. The current strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps as of 30 November...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. In order to facilitate the nature of Reserve service, training is organised both in and out of normal working hours and at weekends. Reserve training is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The table contains the number of female personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force in each of the years 2010 to 2014. Year Number 2010 12 2011 25 2012 22 2013 29 2014 28 The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 January 2015, Ireland is contributing 426 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: In common with all areas of the public sector, the priority in recent years has been to ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to meet all operational requirements within a reduced resource envelope.Arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. Resulting from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and technology for the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. The budgetary situation, in the context of the current difficult economic situation, will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and Information Technology...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of a new White Paper on Defence is underway. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future given that such areas can be volatile and unpredictable....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 November 2014, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,305, comprising 7,480 Army, 764 Air Corps and 1,061 Naval Service personnel. The table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 30 November...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirements (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Approximately seventy (70) personnel are expected to retire on age grounds from the Permanent Defence Force during 2015. It is not possible to estimate how many personnel will leave the Permanent Defence Force for reasons other than age during this period. With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Proposed Legislation (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The management and protection of the Curragh plains is an on-going process. The Curragh provides a working environment for three main users, the Defence Forces, the horse-racing and training industry and sheep owners. In addition in recent years there has also been a marked increase in the level of use as a leisure facility mainly because of the population growth in the area. Officials from...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 30 November 2014, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,305 personnel, comprising 7,480 Army, 764...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Consultancy Contracts Data (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The information requested in relation to the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department during 2014 is set out in the table. My Department is always mindful of the costs involved in engaging consultants. In line with Department of Finance guidelines for engagement of consultants in the Civil Service, external consultants are engaged only when there is a clear need for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Directives (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that there are no EU directives related to my Department that have yet to be transposed into Irish law.