Results 2,641-2,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the primary roles allocated to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) have thus far, been to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations and to contribute to State ceremonial events. Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow RDF personnel to be deployed overseas. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As I have advised the House earlier, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána within the scope of its provisions, where...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last.  The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference.  It recommends significant changes for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has received a copy of the most recent review of EU engagement in Mali, the 2022 'Holistic Strategic Review of EUTM Mali and EUCAP SAHEL Mali' which was circulated in May of this year. The purpose of this review was to carry out an interim assessment of the Missions' achievements against their political, strategic and operational objectives and tasks as 2022 marks the mid point...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department implements a programme of continuous review in relation to ICT security in order to keep up to date with current threat levels given that cyber security is a multi-faceted challenge that is constantly evolving.  In line with best practice, the Department of Defence fully cooperates and collaborates with and takes guidance from Ireland’s National Cyber Security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last.  The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference.  It recommends significant changes for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The numbers of those with paramedic/advanced paramedic qualifications in the Defence Forces is as follows: Qualification 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 (to date) Remarks Advanced Paramedic (AP) 10 11 15 13 12 Paramedic 38 35 21 22 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 120 and 124 together. I have previously acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces.  A number of initiatives are presently being implemented to tackle these challenges.   In respect of recruitment, there is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. The scope and terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF.   The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations. While the commitment to restoring the strength of the RDF is not in doubt,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 June 2022, Ireland is contributing 546 personnel to 9 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 323 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 130 personnel.Ireland also contributes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Military exercises or manoeuvres are traditionally recognized as being a part of the freedom of the high seas as captured in article 87 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  These rights are transcribed directly into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of coastal states. Under international law, including UNCLOS, states are entitled to carry out naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The number of civil servants recruited by my Department from 2015 to date are as follows: Year No. of Civil Servants Recruited 2015 14 2016 25 2017 31 2018 49  2019 40 2020 30  2021 48  ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Naming of new vessels and commissioning ceremonies are carried out prior to vessels joining the Naval Service fleet. The tradition, following the establishment of the Naval Service, was to name vessels after Irish female mythological figures. In 2013, the then Minister instructed that a review of the naming policy should be undertaken and following that review the Minister came to the view...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Priorities (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As stated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions, I cannot comment on reports concerning arrangements for national security. The Government’s engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302, 343, 440, 544, 545 and 546 together. Visits from foreign naval vessels are a long-standing and common practice in Ireland and worldwide.  It is therefore normal and welcome for foreign naval vessels to visit Irish ports, whether that be to carry out joint training with the Irish Naval Service or simply to take crew rest.  As I have noted...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 306, 307, 311, 314, 316, 317, 339, 346, 348, 358, 362, 364, 365, 370, 376, 378, 381, 383, 407, 408, 415, 444, 459, 466, 469, 477, 488, 509, 513, 515, 527, 529, 530, 535, 539 and 553 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304, 308, 324, 351, 352, 359, 369, 371, 379, 391, 392, 402, 405, 406, 420, 434, 468, 528, 533, 541 and 560 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305, 309, 310, 312, 313, 315, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 340, 341, 344, 345, 347, 349, 350, 353, 354, 355, 357, 360, 361, 363, 366, 367, 368, 372, 373, 374, 375, 377, 380, 382, 389, 393, 394, 397, 399, 400, 403, 404, 409, 412, 413, 414, 416, 417, 418, 419, 422, 423, 424, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 435,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The total current spending to date for the Passport Service is €6,006,600.04, not including staff salaries. Of this, the capital spending figure is €1,061,440.01. While the majority of current spending is to support and maintain the operations of the Passport Service there is also expenditure related to the Passport Reform Programme. This programme is focused on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand is a priority for my Department and is an issue that is kept under constant review. Over 400 staff have been added to the Passport Service since June 2021 and 120 have joined in recent weeks. Additional permanent and temporary officers are being assigned on a continuous basis to the Passport Service. The Passport Service recently...