Results 4,741-4,760 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I made a statement on 27 October expressing my concern at these designations. I raised the matter in my recent visit to the region, including in my meetings with President Herzog and Foreign Minister Lapid. My programme did not include a meeting with President Abbas on this occasion. I discussed the designations in my meetings with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Deputy Prime...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting documents have been received. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Birth Registration resumed on 15th November and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting document has been received. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application. Of the online applications that are currently with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts. The local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts. The local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts. The local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government launched the Climate Action Plan 2021 on Thursday 4th November – an ambitious plan to put Ireland on a more sustainable path, cutting emissions, creating a cleaner, greener economy and society and protecting us from the devastating consequences of climate change. The Plan sets a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and set us on a pathway to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is very important the review group will have access to all testimonies of people's experiences in the Defence Forces, in the past and currently, as part of its work. If there are non-disclosure legal agreements, we have to figure out how to do that in a way that will allow people to tell their stories but, at the same time, be legally sound. I do not have legal advice to hand regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: -----one from the commission in addition to the review we are now putting in place. We can act on both of those. If that means an IMG-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 93, 102, 110 and 126 together. On 31 October 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, was 8,572 whole-time equivalent personnel comprising 6,946 Army, 878 Naval Service and 748 Air Corps members. While the Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Burke is correct. When you look at the number of people who apply to join the Defence Forces and the number who fall out of that recruitment process, you do have to ask why. Those questions are being asked and we will see recommendations on HR management and recruitment from the commission in the weeks ahead. There is an appetite to join the Defence Forces. Many people who want to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The timeframe for the review to take place will be agreed as part of the terms of reference. My understanding is we are looking at a review that will probably take about six months. This will produce a report with recommendations which we will obviously want to act on fully within the Defence Forces, supported by the Department and the Government more generally. I am sure there will be an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are many questions there. The independent contact person is in place. The importance of that person is to provide a service that is professionally delivered but also confidential so people can feel they are speaking in confidence to somebody who can take on board their concerns. That person will make a report to me as Minister but will not identify people by name. That is the way it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I apologise to the Deputy. The reason "independent and unbiased" is a term used to describe the new review body is we want this to be an external review as opposed to an internal one within the military system or within the Defence Forces, which is what often takes place if there is a problem. The Chief of Staff sets up an internal review within the Defence Forces. That is the way the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Tender competitions are open to any company or country in accordance with the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargoes or restrictions. In this regard there are no such restrictions or embargoes in place on Israeli companies. The matter of barring Israeli companies from entering tender competitions for the provision of military goods would be akin to Ireland unilaterally placing an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: As I said, the manner in which the Department of Defence procures both goods and services remains consistent with international best practice and is in line with EU and UN decisions on trade embargoes. The one thing the Deputy and I share is the outcome we would like to see which is an end to settlement expansion, demolitions, forced evictions and a peace process that works for both...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy does not want to hear a different perspective.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy does not want to hear a different perspective, that is the problem. He wants to operate on the basis of isolating Ireland. He wants us to expel the Israeli ambassador and not to talk to the Israeli Government at all.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I believe that would be completely counterproductive in terms of what we are actually trying to achieve here which is a peace process.