Results 3,761-3,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: That information is a topic of discussion. When I was in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, the last time, we had a number of conversations on mandatory selection, that is, where people are asked to serve overseas when they have not volunteered to do so. That is because there are pinch points with skill sets and specialists that are needed for overseas missions. That is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 21 together. The Deputy will be aware the provision of housing for members of the public is a matter primarily for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for housing assistance, when requested to do so. Additionally, I point out my Department continues...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I do not know if the Deputy has had a chance to read the report but the recommendation is that we would increase our level of ambition around defence and defence resourcing. Specifically it asks us to improve troop protection for more demanding roles overseas. Does the Deputy disagree with that? It asks us to enhance situational awareness with primary radar capacity; significantly...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: That is not recommended.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The report does not recommend that the Government moves to purchase a squadron of fighter aircraft. There are three options for the Government: level of ambition one. which is to stay as we are; level of ambition two, which is to add the kind of capacity that I just put on the record; and level of ambition three, which is to increase military capacity more significantly in line with what...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am glad that this question was asked so that I can put some of the data on the record. As of 1 March, Ireland is contributing 569 personnel to nine 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 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020, which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on 9 February this year. The commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing its wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains 69 main...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: As I said, I hope to bring forward an action plan and implementation plan that I can bring to Government before the summer recess. I hope to be able to do that in June. Certainly, people who have studied the detail of this report will understand that quite a lot of consultation is required before we can do that. It is important to give it that time but we do not want to waste any time...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have spoken to PDFORRA about this issue; I assume the Deputy knows that. There is no issue with goodwill. This is about trying to work our way through one of many issues we have to work through arising from the recommendations of the commission. I have said I have an open mind about PDFORRA's relationship with ICTU in the context of pay talks and that is my position. I have also said it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will respond to the question that was put in writing. On an annual basis, the overall defence Vote group allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and the approval of Dáil Éireann, having regard to the level of resources available to defence policy requirements. Thus, for 2022, the total gross allocation provided to the defence Vote group, as set out in...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019).  Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups.  These assessments considered the threat to Ireland of a conventional military attack as possible but unlikely. The White Paper...

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

Simon Coveney: Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence on a civil military basis as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process.  This includes the provision of anti-armour defensive weapons platforms and artillery systems for the Defence Forces, in...

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

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence in 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019 both include security environment assessments which were carried out by an interdepartmental working group. The assessments indicated a broad range of security challenges that were facing this state. The assessment was that a conventional military attack on this state although possible, was unlikely. The White Paper update...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: On an annual basis, the overall Defence Vote Group allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Eireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. Thus, for 2022, the total gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2022, is €1,107 million, comprising of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together. Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security. With regard to defence spending domestically, Government policy is determined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann.  As part of Ireland's...

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

Simon Coveney: A civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages and service limits of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force has been conducted. The recommendations arising from the review requires consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to implications on costs and pensions. In December 2021, I secured agreement with the...

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

Simon Coveney: Members of the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment and are not employees per se.  Furthermore, service with the AR and NSR is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes.  Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow RDF personnel to be deployed overseas. However, as the...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence 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 as assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence 2015. The White Paper sets out that the primary role of the Defence Forces with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: An informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence format took place by video conference on Monday 28 February. At this meeting, discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine, following Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion and the efforts already underway in terms of support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF) Assistance Measures. ...

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

Simon Coveney: A new sea-going service commitment scheme for Naval Service personnel came into effect from 1 January 2021. The Scheme was aimed at retaining experienced personnel and incentivising those personnel to undertake sea going duties. The Scheme offers eligible participants an opportunity to receive €10,000 for a two-year sea-going service commitment, to be delivered within a 48 month...