Results 26,501-26,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The next informal meeting of Defence Ministers will be hosted by Italy as part of their Presidency of the EU Council and will take place in Milan on 9 and 10 September. The agenda has not yet issued but it has been suggested that Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions and Operations and progress following the European Council meeting on defence in December 2013 will be discussed....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: As of 01 July 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 416 Defence Forces personnel to 13 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 199...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities advise that the Defence Forces have not inducted any new recruits to date in 2014. However, it is the intention of the Permanent Defence Force to recruit 400 personnel in 2014. This recruitment is planned for the latter half of 2014. In relation to the Reserve Defence Force, the military authorities had intended to recruit up to 500 personnel to the Reserve in 2014....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government Implementation (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The commitments in the Programme for Government relating to Defence and the progress that has been made are set out in the table below: Commitment Status The implementation of the Defence Forces Medical Services Review as resources allow. In line with the recommendations of the Defence Forces Medical Service Review, the Central Medical Unit was formally established in 2012. Options for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: In his reply to the Parliamentary Question 408 on 10 June 2014, the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence indicated that the Department was seeking to compile the data requested and that Deputy Ó Fearghaíl would be provided with the information when it came to hand. I am advised that a reply is currently being finalised and will be issuing to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities advise that the total establishment all ranks, based at Custume Barracks is 995 personnel. (A tabular breakdown of this figure is included below). The establishment for 6 Infantry Battalion, Athlone is 474 personnel, the establishment for 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment is 257 personnel and the establishment for 2 Field Engineer Company is 103 personnel. There are no...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 535 together. I have not appointed any special advisors in my role as Minister for Defence. Similarly no special advisors were appointed by my predecessor, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40 per cent of each gender. My Department reviews the gender balance of State boards under its aegis and returns are made annually to the Department of Justice and Equality which has a coordinating role in this regard. The only State body under the aegis of my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: My main priority will be to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capabilities to fulfil all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas. In this context, and within the available resource envelope, decisions to replace equipment and ongoing recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force will prioritise the maintenance of required operational outputs. The defence and security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: A copy of the briefing note, with some redacted text, has been published and is now available to view on the Department of Defence website www.defence.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The correspondence in question deals with an issue concerning the people named and their interaction with Coillte. Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. The issue outlined in the Deputy’s correspondence was, however, brought to the company’s attention....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Achomhairc Scéimeanna Talamhaíochta (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Tá achomharc déanta ag an té thuasluaite le hOifig na nAchomharc Talmhaíochta. Tá an gearán sannta ar Oifigeach Achomharc. Mar a cinntioch leis an té thuasluaite, tá éisteacht ó bhéal á lorg sa chás seo agus tá an Oifig Achomharc á eagrú sin faoi láthair. Déanfar cinneadh i ndiaidh na héisteachta...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Wildlife Protection (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 to 540, inclusive, together. All whale species, including their habitats, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Habitats Directive. This legislation is enforced by of the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht whose officials, I understand have worked with various bodies including the local authority, the Garda Síochána and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue.  During these checks in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Properties (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The property in question is in State ownership under powers conferred on me by the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 as amended by Section 6 of the Fisheries and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 1998.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together. There are currently 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department: 1. Aquaculture Licenses Appeals Board 2. Bord Bia 3. Bord na gCon 4. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) 5. Coillte 6. Horse Racing Ireland 7. Irish National Stud 8. Marine Institute 9. National Milk Agency 10. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority 11. Teagasc 12....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Remuneration (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: No bonus payments were made to staff in my Department during 2013 and to date in 2014. The provision of similar information in respect of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. The list of board vacancies is updated on a regular basis. In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: When a nomination to the position of Chairperson is proposed, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine is informed and arrangements made to allow the nominee to discuss the approach which she/he will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the State Body in question and, following that discussion, a decision will be taken by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Rehiring (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: One Assistant Secretary General was re-engaged by my Department on a part-time contract basis from 2011 to June 2013. A Principal Officer was re-engaged from October 2012 to June 2013 to work on specific matters related to the Irish Presidency of the EU. The question of recruiting staff to cover term-time posts is a matter for the Public Appointments Service in accordance with sanction...