Results 3,501-3,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Flexible Work Practices (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs supports the aims of the National Remote Working Strategy and is committed to implementing a model of blended working that will provide flexibility to staff, while supporting the continued delivery of high quality services to Government and the Irish people. While a formalised policy is currently under consideration and due for implementation in April 2022,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to the answer by the Minister for Finance to Question 14365/22 on 22 March 2022, on the subject of IMF debt cancellation for Ukraine, which is a matter within the remit of the Department of Finance. As the Minister for Finance stated in that response, the IFI community has reacted quickly to provide vital financial support for Ukraine. On 9 March, the Executive Board...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Ireland is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, and we have made this position clear to the Singaporean authorities. The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, together with our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 424, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Before the onset of Covid-19, 18 staff were assigned to Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) entitlement checking. Due to the pandemic, from March 2020, FBR staff were...

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

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to provide an update on the status of the passport application. The estimated issue date for this application is 22 April 2022.  Applications can only be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department commissions external contractors, consultancy services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 444 together. The conduct of surveillance activities by the Defence Forces is an operational security matter carried out in line with relevant national legislation. The relevant military authorities provide regular assessments, reports and briefings to me, as Minister for Defence, to the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: International Bodies (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is not a member of NATO nor are there any plans for Ireland to join NATO. Accordingly, Ireland does not contribute to NATO common costs or common funding. Ireland’s relationship with NATO is set within the framework of Partnership for Peace (PfP), which we have been a member of since 1999. Over the last two decades, Ireland’s participation in PfP has been of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming the Deputy's query 's relates to Naval Service patrol days. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Staff (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The number of staff presently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in my Department for any of the time periods requested by the Deputy is nil. The only State body currently 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. There...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that Duggan Lynch Ltd have been appointed as the contractor for the provision of a modernised Cadet school at the DFTC. I am advised that works have now commenced onsite with a construction programme of 12 months expected to complete the project.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that there are currently 10 Air Traffic Controller (ATC) vacancies in the Air Corp. The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of each branch of the Defence Forces. In that context, training of ATC's continues with the aim of returning to full establishment. Currently, 4 personnel are undertaking ATC...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s relationship with NATO is set within the framework of Partnership for Peace (PfP), which we have been a member of since 1999. Over the last two decades, Ireland’s participation in PfP has been of significant importance in the development of the peacekeeping capabilities of our Defence Forces and their interoperability with other potential peacekeeping contributing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Traffic Management (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: In light of the reported concerns of An Garda Siochana in relation to potential impacts on traffic management arising from the intended building works, I have instructed my officials to engage further with the requestor to ascertain how best this matter can be resolved.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Flexible Work Practices (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This has meant employees working from home, but also attending the workplace to carry out essential work that cannot be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The table below provides details of consultancy services engaged by my Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; the reason for each consultancy, the name of the provider of the consultancy service and the cost incurred. Year Provider of Consultancy Service Purpose of Consultancy Amount 2020 Col EV Campion To provide expert...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a Passport Express application which was received on 8 March 2022. The current turnaround time for Passport Express applications is 8 weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement was a significant shared achievement by the parties in Northern Ireland together with the two Governments, and its full implementation and the fulfilment of our own commitments made alongside the agreement, are key priorities for the Irish Government. While the implementation of the NDNA agreement was raised at the BIIGC, due to time constraints,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 261 and 264 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to advise on the requirements for submitting a case to the Passport Service Travel Emergency Team.