Results 5,421-5,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's priorities for the Future of Europe are closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda as agreed at the June 2019 European Council and as most recently set out by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her State of the Union Address to the European Parliament on 15th September last. These priorities include: the European Green Deal, a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign aircraft seeking to overfly Irish sovereign airspace or land in the State must request the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Specific criteria in relation to the granting of such permission have been put in place by successive Governments. These criteria include that the aircraft be unarmed and carry...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 216, inclusive, 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 application to the applicants.  The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: UN peacekeeping is one of the most collaborative, effective and visible tools of the UN in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security across the globe. There are currently 12 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 95,000 uniformed personnel from over 120 countries. This is a global effort to which Ireland is fully committed – with contributions from the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 to 227, inclusive, and 229 together. Ireland is a strong contributor to strengthening United Nations and European Union efforts to eliminate human rights violations. The rights of women and children are central to our engagement and especially so in regards to conflict zones where risks of child recruitment or trafficking in persons are particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is particularly important in that regard. Ireland has raised human rights issues in Bahrain and other Middle East states at the Human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has always been clear that Brexit would be profoundly disruptive for the island of Ireland. Early on in the Withdrawal Agreement negotiations, both the EU and the UK acknowledged the unique circumstances on the island. They recognised the necessity of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, avoiding a hard border and protecting North-South cooperation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since 2016, the Government has dedicated substantial time and resources into preparing for Brexit.  This intensive effort across Departments and agencies included the development of two Brexit Omnibus Acts; three Brexit Action Plans; substantial investment in the State’s infrastructure and IT systems (including provision for 1,500 additional staff to support new checks and...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Defence Fund (EDF) is a co-funded industrial sectoral programme, which will enhance the capabilities available for EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Operations and provide support to EU defence industry in developing these capabilities through funding for research and capability development, fostering innovation and economies of scale. The EDF will...

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

Simon Coveney: The Mental Health Wellbeing Strategy for the Defence Forces, which was launched by me on 2nd December 2020, recognises the unique nature of the experience of military life in Ireland. The aim of the strategy is to provide a coordinated and effective mental health and support system for the personnel of the Defence Forces through the adoption of a series of measures between 2020 and 2023. ...

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

Simon Coveney: A Recommissioning Scheme was introduced in 2019 to target particular capability gaps of a specialised or technical nature, where vacancies exist.  Defence Force Regulation CS4 governs the number of personnel allowable at each rank across the Defence Forces. All appointments must be made within the regulatory limits. Therefore, in determining candidates for recommissioning, the...

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

Simon Coveney: Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. Similar to other sectors in the public service, Pay has been restored to members of the Defence Forces in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. The Defence Forces have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 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 to the greatest extent possible.  This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 246 together. 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 role 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. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 247 to 249, inclusive, and 252 together. The Permanent Defence Force (PDF) female strength and the total PDF strength, over the past 10 years and as at 31st August 2021, is outlined in following table. PDF Female Strength and Total PDF Strength 2011 - 2021 PDF Female Strength* by Branch ...

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

Simon Coveney: I listened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021. On Tuesday of this week, I met with participants from the Women of Honour group and with a group of serving female members of the Defence Forces, where I had the opportunity to listen...

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

Simon Coveney: I am taking it that the Deputy is referring to the provisions of Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act 1923, as amended. The Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease...

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

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. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a...

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

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, have the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 254 together. The information sought by the Deputy could not be collated within the time available and will be forwarded as soon as possible.