Results 3,281-3,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 447, 448, 450 and 451 together. Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. There are five recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: Providing ongoing support, along with finding long-term solutions, to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US, remains a key priority for this Government. The issue was raised during our high-level political engagements over the St. Patrick’s Day period across the US, not least at the bilateral exchange between the Taoiseach and President Biden. I also raised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. There...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was designed and agreed by the UK and EU to mitigate against the inevitable disruptions arising from Brexit on the island of Ireland and to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions. EU-UK engagement on resolving outstanding issues under the Protocol is an ongoing process. The EU-UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: The J1 is a valuable part of building exchange between the US and Ireland, and something which we are keen to see return to pre-pandemic levels. Through the J1, thousands of young people have the opportunity to work and travel in the US every year, building up valuable connections between the two countries. Ease of travel is essential to protect our strong transatlantic connections, be that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Social Media (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department attempts to take every opportunity in its day-to-day interactions with customers to promote and publicise the services it provides. My Department’s fourth Irish Language Scheme, covering the period 2022-2025, came into effect in February. The Scheme is in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003, the primary objective of which is to ensure better availability and a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Social Media (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: Twitter is the only social media platform where my Department has a presence and in this regard there are three Twitter accounts in use by my Department. These include those of the Civil Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning with the Department of Defence Twitter account being launched in July 2020. During the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 there were no posts made in languages...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Social Media (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department attempts to take every opportunity possible in its Social Media activity, to support increase accessibility, consequently, all three Social Media videos posted on across the Department of Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning Twitter accounts between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022 were sub-titled.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: The table below provides the number of Naval Service direct entry applications and inductions, by competition, in each of the years from 2018 to 2021 and in 2022 as at 30 April. 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022* Total Competitions Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government Covid-19 response. A wide range of supports have since been provided by the Defence Forces to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies, including support to the ongoing vaccination programme. Currently the focus remains on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces procure a wide range of non-capital goods and services. These include items associated with day-to-day operations such as food, clothing, transport, utilities and the maintenance of equipment.  The services of the Office of Government Procurement and centralised framework agreements are also used to acquire items that may be in common...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: Neither I, nor my Department, employ persons or firms to deal with public relations.  My Department has a Communications Office to provide information to the public and media.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467, 468, 471, 472 and 473 together. The following table details the current strength, as of the 31st of March 2022, of the PDF and the 3 branches along with the corresponding agreed establishment. Current Strength (WTE) Establishment Permanent Defence Forces 8,366 9,500 Army ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 6 May 2022, is 758 whole-time equivalent personnel. The table below shows the strength by requested stream: - Personnel Stream Strength as at 06/05/2022 Qualified pilots 98 Cadets currently completing military training* ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (10 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

Accommodation Needs of Those Fleeing Ukraine: Statements (5 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to be opening this debate, which has as its main focus the measures the Government is putting in place to address the accommodation needs of those fleeing Ukraine. Thus far, more than 27,000 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine. This is why the co-ordinated whole-of-government response that we have put in place is so crucial. Our domestic response cannot be divorced...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can come back to the Deputy with more detail. This matter has been raised with me from a number of sources. My understanding is that this is a designation issue in respect of landing, as the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, said. I am happy to talk to the line Minister and the SFPA and come back with more detail. I know it is causing concern in the north west.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (5 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a refund to the applicant for all four Urgent Appointments.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 May 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 175 and 176 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.