Results 3,781-3,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Since 2017 Ireland has engaged with a number of European Union defence-related initiatives, including the European Defence Agency, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Peace Facility (EPF). The European Defence Agency is an Agency of the...

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

Simon Coveney: The strength of the Naval Service from 2017 to 2020 is as follows: Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total WTE Strength 1,053 989 936 903 As at 31 January 2022, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Naval Service was 869 personnel. The government has...

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

Simon Coveney: The retention of experienced Pilot Officers in the Air Corps has been a significant challenge for the Defence Forces in recent years. Arising from the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force, a Service Commitment Scheme was reintroduced for Air Corps pilots and came into effect in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: 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 the 9th February 2022.  The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference. ...

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

Simon Coveney: Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow Reserve Defence Force (RDF) personnel to be deployed overseas. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has now been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas in support of the Permanent Defence Force.   The...

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

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence 2015 set out the defence policy framework for a ten year period and sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service, including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV).  The MRV, is an important element of the Defence...

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

Simon Coveney: I welcome the completion of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and commend the Commission for its work. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including a recommendation in the chapter on Defence Forces structures, on the establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA).  There is a process...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: 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, as well as a Government decision, in December 2020. The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, and I welcomed its report on 9th February last. The Report is substantial, containing a wide range of recommendations and...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 253, 259, 260, 261 and 262 together. 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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by government, including overseas deployments. The Equipment Development Plan...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity 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. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Priorities for the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department and I have engaged extensively in recent months with the Women of Honour Group and with other stakeholders, including both serving and former members of the Defence Forces, the Representative Associations, PDFORRA, RACO and RDFRA and with a second group representing former members, the Men and Women of Honour Group, on the establishment of an Independent Review to...

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

Simon Coveney: Irelands commitment to and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations.  This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).  As of 1 March 2022, Ireland is...

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

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including the future role of the Reserve Defence Force.  There is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer...

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces are paid increases, in pay and allowances, in line with Public Service pay agreements. The current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. A general round...

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

Simon Coveney: The most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence format took place via video conference on Monday 28 February. The meeting was to discuss the latest situation in Ukraine, following Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion and the discussion focused on efforts already underway in terms of support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF)...

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

Simon Coveney: The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, is the primary authority responsible for cyber security in the State, including incident response, cyber resilience and information provision.   While the primary role of the Defence Forces with regard to Cyber Security relates to the defence and security of its own...

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

Simon Coveney: The current two Brigade structure was introduced in 2012 following a reduction in the strength of the PDF to 9,500 personnel. The previous three Brigade structure, which was originally introduced for a PDF strength of 11,500 personnel, could not be sustained within that lower strength level. The current strength of the PDF is just under 8,500 personnel, which is significantly less...

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

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations and there is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would therefore, be inappropriate for...

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces built infrastructure as set in the 5 year Plan published in January 2020 provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe.  The 2022 allocation of €45m for maintaining and improving the building stock is significantly higher than the 2021 allocation and is reflective of the crucial importance I...