Results 2,881-2,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case referred to by Deputy Costello. Leave to appeal against the judgment of the High Court directly to the Supreme Court was granted on 4 April 2022. As this matter is currently before the Supreme Court I am not in a position to make any further comment in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: On 7 June 2022 I visited Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. While there I met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, Mr Pekka Haavisto. During our meeting, I discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe, Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council and the Northern Ireland Protocol. Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: On 7 June 2022 I visited Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. While in Stockholm, I met with Ms Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs. During our meeting we discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe, Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, the Northern Ireland Protocol and Sweden’s upcoming Presidency of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: It was a pleasure to welcome Congressman Neal, a longstanding friend of Ireland, and a senior delegation from the US congress including several members of the House Ways and Means Committee to Dublin during their visit to Ireland last month. The Congressional Delegation met with President Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, myself and other political representatives for discussions on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Schemes (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Communicating Europe Initiative provides funding tovoluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups and bodies for projects intended to deepen public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in our daily lives, and improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local, regional or national level. Projects should...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 16 May. Our discussions were once again focused on the collective EU response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Foreign Affairs Council has convened six times since the beginning of Russia’s current military offensive and our most recent discussion assessed the effectiveness of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicant and advised them as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating a better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland, as well as between Ireland and Britain. The Fund has supported over 3,000 projects with more than €60 million in grant funding since its establishment. In spring 2021, Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Maritime Jurisdiction (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to address the issues related to Rockall, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition in the area. I have outlined Ireland’s position on Rockall and considered possible ways forward in contacts with the UK and Scottish Governments over the course of the past year. I last met with my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the information requested by the Deputy, the Passport Service has not be able to provide the information requested in the time allowed. These figures are currently being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicant to advise them of what is required to progress the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers. Irish officials are closely monitoring this matter, in cooperation with our civil society partners on the ground. Both Ireland and the EU provide financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs who are active in bringing issues regarding the treatment of detainees to light. I have called on the Israeli authorities to end the practice...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Defence Forces personnel acting in an armed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The establishment of the Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision for beyond 2030. As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Interest Rates (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates a small number of bank accounts and, in accordance with public financial procedures, the amounts maintained in these accounts are kept to a minimum. Negative interest rates were first incurred by my Department in 2017, and the cost of negative interest charges incurred in respect of these accounts from 2017 to 2022 is outlined in the table below. Negative...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Interest Rates (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are two State Boards that come under the aegis of the Department of Defence, namely the Army Pensions Board and the Defence Forces Canteen Board. Neither of these boards have incurred any negative interest charges since negative interest rates were first introduced.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are no former Secretaries General seconded from my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Undefined (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The information requested could not be readily ascertained in the timeframe set out for reply and I will revert once the information is available to me.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 906, 907, 910 and 911 together. The following table details the requested current strength details, as at 30 April 2022, along with the corresponding establishment strength. Current Strength (WTE) Establishment Permanent Defence Force 8,297 9,500 Army 6,714 7,520 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (14 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 9 June 2022, is 748 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the strength by requested stream: Personnel Stream Strength as at 09/06/2022 Qualified pilots 97 Cadets currently completing military training* 6 ...