Results 3,801-3,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects by means of a five-year rolling plan.  The EDP builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 56 together. Cathal Brugha Barracks is the only operational military installation in Dublin City and plays a key role in meeting ongoing Defence Forces' operational and emergency.  In recognition that the issue of a relocation arises periodicaly, my Department has secured funding, under the Housing For All implementation fund,...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not intend to provide any military equipment directly to Ukraine. The full package of military assistance for Ukraine is worth some €500 million, of which €450 million is for lethal equipment and €50 for non-lethal equipment, including items such as helmets, body armour, fuel and First Aid Kits, as specifically requested by the Ukraine Government. Ireland...

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 and would have been significantly at variance with international norms within that strength...

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

Simon Coveney: The following table details the total number of applications received from counties Cavan and Monaghan, for Cadet,  General Service Recruit and Direct Entry competitions during the past five recruitment campaigns (years). 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Cavan 132 99 140 110 76 ...

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 of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th February.  The Commission have undertaken a significant body of work encompassing...

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

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main 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. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as...

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

Simon Coveney: The Strategic Compass is an exercise intended to provide enhanced political and strategic direction for EU security and defence policy for the next five to ten years. The latest draft of the Strategic Compass sets out an analysis of the strategic environment and, in particular, the security and defence challenges faced by the EU, including emerging threats, the increasingly contested...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department. In-depth analysis of issues by external...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 234 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (10 Mar 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 (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly to provide an update on the status of the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 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 provide an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application. No technical issue has occurred in the processing of this application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. Ireland’s response to the invasion has included multilateral engagement with European Union partners and at the United Nations, the development of sanctions against Ukraine, demonstrations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's illegal, immoral and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine. Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and its right to choose its own foreign and security policy path, is unwavering. In response to this assault on Ukraine, the EU has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have agreed to take this question on transfer from the Department of Defence as the budget lines through which we are providing support to Ukraine are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the Irish citizens referred to who were studying in Sumy, Ukraine. My Department has been and remains in direct contact with the citizens concerned. The Deputy can also be assured that we are engaging with the Ukrainian Government and other partners on these and other consular cases. I am glad that two Irish students based in Sumy have now exited Ukraine safely - and we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. My Department has led on Ireland’s foreign policy response to this flagrant violation of international law and norms, including through multilateral engagement with European Union partners...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian War (10 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, on 28 February, President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine submitted a letter to the European Presidency formally applying for membership of the European Union (EU), in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. Separately, the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) met for an extraordinary meeting on 4 March to discuss Russian aggression against...