Results 5,381-5,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: International Agreements (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The EU and NATO have commenced work at institutional level on the development of the text of a new joint declaration. As the work plan agreed under a Joint Declaration seeks to advance institutional links between the EU and NATO, this Declaration will be agreed between the leaders of the two institutions, rather than individual EU Member States or individual NATO Allies.   Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 together. As at 31st August 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,550 personnel comprised of 6,927 Army personnel, 723 Air Corps personnel and 900 Naval Service personnel. While the Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, there are a number...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 124 together. Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Personnel leave the Permanent Defence Force for a number of reasons including on age grounds, at the end of contract and voluntary discharges.  More than 50% of those who leave the Defence Forces do so with some form of pension. This can make taking up a position in the private sector very attractive where a full-time position, even at the same rates as those in the Defence Forces, could...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Common Security and Defence Policy (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The European Union's common security and defence policy (CSDP) is a policy setting the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States.   Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. It is essential,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The management of claims against the Minister for Defence in relation to personal injuries alleged to have occurred within Ireland has been delegated to the State Claims Agency (SCA) since 2001.  The management of claims in respect of personal injuries alleged to have occurred overseas, claims of post-traumatic stress disorder, bullying and other harassment cases have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).  The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations. The current strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER) is responsible for managing the process for the appointment by Government of an Adjudicator for all such schemes operating across the public service including in respect of the C&A Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces. As the Deputy will be aware the term of the previous Adjudicator ended on 30 June 2021....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 133 together. The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 139 together. The Deputy will be aware that WRC rulings are in the public domain and will be also aware that the Adjudicator in his December 2020 ruling on two complaints brought by an individual, upheld one complaint on the grounds of gender discrimination in relation to promotion, owing to the treatment of absences in terms of access to promotion...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Historical Conflicts (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Military intelligence plays a key role in maintaining an awareness of threats to the State and to forces deployed at home and overseas. The Directorate of Intelligence is a constituent part of Defence Forces Headquarters and delivers threat assessments to the Minister for Defence, the Department of Defence as well as, through the Chief of Staff, to the National Security Committee. Liaison is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Following this incident in May 2020, a formal investigation was conducted by the Air Corps Flight Safety Officer in accordance with the Air Regulations Manual. This investigation was to examine the technical and operational aspects of the incident and will make appropriate recommendations.  The report resulting from this investigation was completed earlier this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

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. This year’s budget allocation of €37m made available to the Defence Forces represents a significant increase over previous years and is the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a rolling five year timeframe and is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces.  The commitment to the ongoing operation of Custume Barracks, Athlone, has been reaffirmed with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that WRC rulings are in the public domain and will be also aware that the Adjudicator in his December 2020 ruling on two complaints brought by the individual, upheld one complaint on the grounds of gender discrimination in relation to promotion, owing to the treatment of absences in terms of access to promotion contrary to S.8 (1) of the Employment Equality Acts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, there have been three Reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) since the publication of the Report in 2002 of the External Advisory Committee on the Defence Forces, ‘The Challenge of the Workplace’. Whilst progress has been made in the interim years in terms of measures and systems now in place in the Defence Forces to address...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles including fishery protection, contraband interdiction duties, search and rescue, and enforcing Irish and EU legislation. The Irish economic zone currently extends to 132,000 square miles. This area is approximately five times the size of Ireland, and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 136, 138 and 140 together. As at 31stAugust 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,550 personnel, or 90% of the 9,500 establishment strength.  The requested breakdown is set out in the following table. Branch Establishment Current Strength Male Female...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Events (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: One of the recommendations contained in the report of the Independent Review Group on Jadotville which was published last July related to the 60th anniversary of the Battle at Jadotville, where the IRG recommended that the 60thAnniversary be commemorated with a focus on veterans and veterans’ families, placing them at the centre of the ceremony, which should be an all inclusive...