Results 25,401-25,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I cannot confirm the 20% figure because I do not know that it is factually true. I have no reason to disbelieve PDFORRA and I will be meeting the organisation shortly to discuss a range of issues. I presume this will be one of them. There are many sectors of Irish society, particularly across the public sector that have seen and experienced financial pressures over the past five years....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is important to bear in mind the historical context here. The individuals concerned started off on a five-year contract and a great deal of flexibility has been shown in accommodating and extending their careers within the Defence Forces. I expect that some flexibility will also be shown in this instance. I want to see an arbitration process and an independent third party adjudicating...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Minister for Defence, I take the opportunity to express my sympathy for the family of Cadet David Jevens following the very tragic and difficult accident in which he lost his life. I realise it has taken a very severe toll on David's parents. We want to do everything we can to assist the family in getting through a very difficult and dark time....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to do so.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is a key element of Ireland's foreign policy and has been an important dimension in meeting our international obligations as a member of the UN and the EU. Irish foreign policy is directed at supporting co-operative arrangements for collective security through the development of international organisations, especially the United Nations, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As I have previously outlined in the House, a claim from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, in respect of this matter is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is important to make a distinction between policy decisions and a process that was agreed and is under way in the Defence Forces to try to bring this issue to a conclusion by finding an acceptable and reasonable compromise. That is what we have been trying to do through arbitration and we have now moved to a third-party process. Instead of making a political decision on the basis of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Custume Barracks is and will continue to be an important operational military barracks. This is evidenced by ongoing investment and upgrades to the barracks. The Department 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Ambulance Service Provision (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: In June 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the Department of Defence and the Department of Health in relation to the Air Corps’ support of a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service which is operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. In accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, my Department recoups from the HSE the costs of the Air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: At the request of the United Nations, 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 September 2013. The current Defence Forces contingent, the 46th Irish Infantry Group UNDOF, comprises 130 troops and consists of a Force Reserve Company and support elements. Their role includes the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: I was made aware of a number of issues for the first time at the recent PDFORRA annual conference. I presume the Deputy is referring to the claim that five members of the PDF were sleeping in cars because they could not afford the cost of commuting to their place of work, and claims that approximately 20% of PDFORRA’s membership are availing of Family Income Supplement. There is no...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 st November 2014, Ireland is contributing 418 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 191 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way. Work on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: In late 2013, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) would commence in 2014 to review all elements of Government spending and inform decisions on expenditure allocations for the years 2015–2017. The Department of Defence made a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June, 2014, as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: In 2009 PA Consultants recommended a programme of major change in relation to Defence Forces Medical Services. As recommended by the consultants, a number of working groups were set up to progress the various change projects identified. The working groups were tasked with identifying the practical steps which needed to be taken to achieve implementation of the PA report recommendations for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (13 Nov 2014)

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. There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Green Paper on Defence, which was published in 2013, considered the relevance of the “triple lock” mechanism in a world where defence and security threats are becoming more interconnected, more diverse, less visible and less predictable than heretofore. The Green Paper noted the requirement for a UN resolution as part of the “triple lock” reflects the central...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 November 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 418 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the following tabular statement. United Nations peacekeeping operations are deployed on the basis of mandates from the United Nations Security Council. Their roles differ from situation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. The Air Corps do not have a monitoring role with regard to foreign military aircraft on Irish territory and in Irish air space. I understand from my colleague,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (13 Nov 2014)

Simon Coveney: The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way. Work on the...