Results 4,901-4,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Protection (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Further to my earlier response to the Deputy, I emphasise again that Ireland condemns the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for its exploitation of migrants. Earlier this year, Irish Aid responded to the migrant crisis in the Lithuania-Belarus border region by providing €100,000 in humanitarian assistance to the International Federation of the Red Cross for transmission to the local...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. It was welcome that the draft Declaration adopted at the EU-Western Balkans Summit this year contained...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to an independent commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. An independent Commission on the Defence Forces was subsequently established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the terms of reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961 where "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, came under attack. From the 13th to the 17th September the men of “A” Company endured almost continuous attack. At the end of the Siege, the men were taken into captivity until finally released on the 25th...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavors to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from the current aircraft fleet when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily. The use of performance based maintenance contracts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together. I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavors to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from the current aircraft fleet when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

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 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. I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavors to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (18 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 have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that the National Flag which drapes the coffin of personnel who die in service is presented to the next-of-kin at the time and place of burial or cremation. At present it is not custom for the National Flag to be presented to the next-of-kin of former Defence Forces personnel. Administration Instruction A10 sets out that in certain circumstances,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 228 together. The table below details the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for each of the past five years:- Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Strength WTE 9,126 9,173 8,957 8,659 8,572 I am advised by the military authorities that the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel). The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230 and 231 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 238 and 241 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

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 and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 239 and 242 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 236 and 237 together. I am advised that the number of training courses currently available throughout the year to members of each service within the Defence Forces is as follows: Defence Forces Number Army 1,274 Naval Service 331 Air Corps 209 The training of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 243 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained and developed 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 provides...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31st October 2021, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 601 comprised of 487 Army personnel, 40 Air Corps personnel and 74 Naval Service personnel. The strength of female personnel in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service for each of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: In line with Government Policy, any property that is identified as being surplus to military requirements is disposed of. In disposing of such property, the Department of Defence is required to determine if the Land Development Agency, Government Departments or Local Authorities are interested in acquiring same. Should no such interest be declared, the Department of Defence proceeds with...