Results 4,441-4,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the cessation of a portion of the military retirement pension of certain Defence Forces pensioners on qualifying for the Social Welfare State Pension (Contributory). Under the Defence Forces occupational pension scheme applicable to Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Privates enlisting in the Defence Forces before April 2004, 21 years is the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Exercises (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have not met with any Russian officials, diplomats or military staff in relation to plans for Russian naval exercises off the south-west coast of Ireland in early February. In my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have spoken to the Russian Ambassador to convey the Government's concerns in respect of these exercises, particularly in light of the current political and security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 249 and 255 together. As at 31 December 2021, the strength of the PDF was 8,468 whole time equivalent personnel comprised of 6,841 Army, 876 Naval Service and 751 Air Corps. There is an establishment of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, 7,520 for the Army, 1,094 for the Naval Service, and 996 for the Air Corps which the Government remains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While 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, it also carries out a number of other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (27 Jan 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 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. In relation to fisheries protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. All Air Corps aircraft and equipment are maintained in accordance with the Air Corps’ maintenance regulations, the Air Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 December 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,468 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel. Of this some 598 personnel or 7% were female,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, capabilities in order to retain a flexible response...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 was completed following extensive joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 January 2022, Ireland is contributing 582 personnel to 9 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 355 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel.Ireland also contributes observers and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: In general, Overseas and Armed Peace Support allowances are paid along with the pay of the members of the Permanent Defence Force serving overseas and payment is commenced following notification from the military authorities that a member has proceeded overseas on a particular mission. Payment of the allowances is then ceased following notification of his/her return from overseas. From time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is my duty of care obligation to all members of the Defence Forces. I am fully committed to ensuring that every member has the right to be treated with dignity, equality and respect to carry out their duties in a safe workplace underpinned by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 263 together. As at 31 December 2021, the following vacancies existed in the Permanent Defence Force: - Strength Establishment Vacancies Army 6,841 7,520 679 Air Corps 751 886 135 Naval Service 876 1,094 218...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 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. Most recently, a general round increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and supports to other Government Departments and Principal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. As the Deputy may be aware it has been a long standing policy, since the 1990’s that the provision of Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the chair, Senator Chambers, and the other members of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union for their excellent final report. I was struck by the wide and diverse range of contributors from government, Northern Ireland, business, academia and civil society that fed into the committee's deliberations. Listening to those...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will try to respond to as many questions as I can. I thank the Seanad again for this timely report. The consistent support from across the political spectrum in both the Dáil and the Seanad has been a vital element of efforts to mitigate the challenges of Brexit on the island over a sustained period. Unfortunately, we will be dealing with the impacts of Brexit for some time to come....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Jan 2022)

Simon Coveney: As communicated to the Deputy, the Passport Service will follow up directly with the individual involved to assist them with their passport application.