Results 26,341-26,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy asks a fair question. My role is to ensure we get the structures right and the change that is appropriate to reflect the highly complex realities on the ground. Even though our troops are highly trained, really professional and are able to manage very difficult circumstances, which they have proved over the past number of weeks, it is not responsible to send a new rotation of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I seek guidance from the Ceann Comhairle. The second priority question is also about the same issue and simply I do not want to repeat myself. Does the Ceann Comhairle want me to answer both questions at the same time?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will answer detailed questions from both Deputies, but-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Séan Ó Fearghaíl for his good wishes and look forward to working with Opposition colleagues on this brief. As Deputies know, there has been a lot of media coverage of the changing circumstances on the Golan Heights in recent weeks. We decided, at the invitation of the United Nations, just over a year ago to participate in this mission when the Austrians decided...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have already outlined the unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was an issue of serious concern during the 1990s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces currently operate an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System, commonly referred to as UAVs. These UAVs, are, in effect, an information gathering asset which have no offensive capability. They do not carry weapons. The UAV systems were acquired to enhance the capability of the Defence Forces to provide a low cost and low risk means to increase surveillance capabilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The primary purpose for the procurement of weaponry and defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces on overseas Peace Support Operations and to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. The amount spent on weaponry by the Department including ammunition stands at €10.6m to date....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Traffic Control Services (18 Sep 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. On the 21stAugust 2014, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sought observations from my Department and the Defence Forces in relation to the overflight...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Shannon Airport Facilities (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have no plans to instruct the Defence Forces to detain and intern US soldiers transiting through Shannon Airport. Firstly, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Policy Review (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Green Paper on Defence, which was published in 2013, provided a comprehensive overview of the current defence policy framework and set out an assessment of the defence and security environment at that time. It also considered the relevance of the “triple lock” mechanism in a world where defence and security threats are becoming more interconnected, more diverse, less visible...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: In January 2011 the Department established a working group to examine the use of Lariam and other anti malarial drugs in the Defence Forces. I am advised that the Group investigated all the various issues surrounding the use of Lariam and obtained advice from leading Domestic and International medical experts. Experts advise the need for: - individual assessment on a clinical basis in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. The Minister for Defence was faced with a choice of retaining the three Brigade Army structure (which was designed in the 1990’s for an overall PDF of 11,500 personnel), or re-organising the PDF to reflect the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in September 2013 at the request of the United Nations. The current deployment, the 44th Irish Infantry Group UNDOF, comprises 130 troops and consists of a Force Reserve Company and support elements. Their role includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: A claim has been received from PDFORRA in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have been taking place with the Representative Association, with regards to their claim, under a special Subcommittee of Conciliation Council. As discussions under the Scheme are confidential to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. The three Brigade structure then in place had originally been designed in the 1990s, when the strength ceiling of the PDF was 11,500 personnel. Clearly, at a strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel, this structure was no...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: As of 8 September 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 422 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 197...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: As Ireland is not a member of NATO, the question of attendance at the NATO summit in Wales did not arise. In accordance with usual practice, an invitation was extended to the Taoiseach to attend a meeting which took place on 4 September between NATO Heads of state and Government and non-NATO countries that contribute to the UN mandated and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Meetings (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: As Ireland is not a member of NATO, the question of attendance at the NATO summit in Wales did not arise. In accordance with usual practice, an invitation was extended to the Taoiseach to attend a meeting which took place on 4 September between NATO Heads of state and Government and non-NATO countries that contribute to the UN mandated and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Custume Barracks is and will continue to be an important operational military barracks. The military authorities have confirmed that the current strength of personnel in Custume Barracks, Athlone is 1,038. This includes personnel attending training courses in Custume Barracks. I am advised that the establishment for units based in Custume Barracks is 995. Within a strength figure for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (18 Sep 2014)

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. As recent events have highlighted the defence and...