Results 2,681-2,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that six student pilots have recently returned from the United States of America, where they underwent Phase II of their Military Pilot Wings Course. This training was organised under a contract with the United States Air Force. I understand that Irish Air Corps pilots regularly complete training abroad with foreign militaries. This helps to keep...

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

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the...

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

Simon Coveney: The IAA exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for an airspace of some 450,000 sq. kms comprising of both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. All air traffic, both civil and military, is monitored and controlled by the IAA in respect of this airspace and in line with international rules. The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are 391 people employed by my Department. Currently, most of these staff are working in a hybrid manner in the office and remotely. Given the nature of the Department’s remit, staff have attended onsite throughout the pandemic to discharge essential tasks. Employees in certain roles are attending on site every day. No employee is allowed to work completely remotely, other than...

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

Simon Coveney: While I am not in a position to comment on the pay structures of Defence Forces in individual member States of the European Union, the Deputy will be aware that remuneration for individual members of this State's Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government’s priority is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and...

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

Simon Coveney: I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. As I have previously advised, the work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established on 25 January...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 588 together. The manpower requirements of the Defence Forces continues to be monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services to ensure they maintain their operational capability. The current strength of the Defence Forces as at 31st May 2022 is as follows: Total Strength...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 584 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  In this context, the principal aim over the period...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a...

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

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31st May 2022, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 586, comprised of 477 Army personnel, 40 Air Corps personnel and 69 Naval Service personnel. The attached table provides the requested breakdown of strength by rank and by Branch. The Government remains committed to a policy of equal...

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

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware,  remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA). In addition to this, a range of...

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

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely: Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

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

Simon Coveney: In addition to their standard remuneration, Defence Force personnel receive tax-free payments for certain overseas deployments and duties. The current rates are available on the Defence Force website and are accessible via the following link: www.military.ie/en/careers/faqs/defence-forces-rates-of-pay/ Where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Do I get a last word?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I first thank the Deputy for raising this issue and, in particular, for the way in which he done so because he has been sensitive to the issue here. I have been to Warsaw and have visited the largest Ukrainian refugee hub, if one wants to call it that, just outside Warsaw. There are about 7,000 Ukrainian people there. Approximately 2,000 come and go every day. It is just extraordinary...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for this question and am glad to be able to put a number of things on the record in respect of this agreement. A trilateral memorandum of understanding with Israel and Egypt on co-operation relating to trade, transport and the export of natural gas to the European Union was signed by the European Commission on 15 June in Cairo. Ireland supports the agreement, which is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As I said in my response to the Deputy, this agreement does make a distinction between occupied territory and Israel proper, for want of a better term. That is appropriate. As I said my reply, the legal framework underpinning the EU-Israel partnership is provided by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which has been in force since 2000. Unlike Russia, Israel is part of the European...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I understand those arguments. Every city, town and county would like to have the convenience of being able to go to pick up emergency passports at short notice locally. My job, however, is to try to deliver 130,000, 150,000 or 160,000 passports a month and to do so in an efficient way whereby I can stand over the delivery times within which we say we will deliver and to get more than 90% of...