Results 5,541-5,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have taken careful note of the Amnesty International Report entitled ‘You are going to your Death; violations against Syrian refugees returning to Syria’. The report contains some deeply concerning accounts of the explicit targeting of refugees returning to Syria.   Ireland believes, and has stated publicly on many occasions, that all returns to Syria must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have asked my Department to undertake a review of the role and appointment of special envoys.  The terms of reference are currently being drafted and I anticipate that the review will be completed by mid-October 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Two Bills were prepared by my Department since 27 June 2020. The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union Consequential Provisions Act 2021 (no. 23 of 2020) was enacted on 10 December 2020. The Act consists of 23 Parts under the remits of Ministers responsible for 11 different Government Departments.  While no formal Regulatory Impact Assessment was conducted, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended. The 1956 Act provides, inter alia, that an individual born outside of Ireland can claim citizenship by Foreign Birth Registration, through a parent who was not born in Ireland but was an Irish citizen at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Working Holiday Authorisations (WHAs) play an important role in building Ireland’s bilateral relations by encouraging people-to-people contacts especially with non-European countries.  The WHA Scheme has successfully facilitated many young people from New Zealand, including college graduates, to travel to Ireland to experience our culture and way of life first-hand, in the context...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs complies with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act and pays interest and penalties to suppliers where payments fall outside of the prescribed timeframes. The Department is cognisant of the cash flow pressures facing our suppliers and makes every effort to pay suppliers, contractors and service providers promptly. Below is a breakdown of interest and penalties...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The application to which the Deputy refers was received on 16 September 2020, and is currently waiting to be processed. All documentation submitted is being stored in a secure environment.  My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: 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 applicant.  The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is committed to creating an environment which fosters and supports the development and progression of all its employees. To this end, programmes such as those provided by the organisation referred to by the Deputy, are utilised as appropriate.  One programme delivered by the organisation provides an opportunity for senior managers in the public and private...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the requested information is currently being finalised and a reponse will issue to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).  The effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) as of 31 July, 2021, is 1,513 in total, broken down by rank as follows:  LT COL COMDT CAPT LT TOTAL OFFR ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently employs one full-time civilian pharmacist. There are two Defence Force pharmacists and the services of a locum pharmacist are also engaged.  The table below outlines the location of each pharmacist. September 2021 Number DF Installation Civilian Pharmacist 1 Collins Barracks ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects, which will be progressed over a five year period. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Defence I receive information on matters such as those described both formally by way of regular reports from the Chief of Staff and by correspondence provided to me in a confidential manner by individuals who wish to have their identity protected. I have a statutory duty to comply with that wish. On this basis, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I wish to assure the Deputy, in the first instance, that I have full confidence in the Ombudsman, who discharges his duties in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Act, 2004. Under the provisions of this Act, the Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions The findings of the Ombudsman in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 to 381, inclusive, and 385 together. All members of the Defence Forces have a 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy could not be collated within the time available to answer this question and will be forwarded as soon as possible. All members of the Defence Forces have a 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. I am advised that there are robust measures and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department have met personally with two individuals and spoken to a third on the phone, who have recounted their experiences working within the Defence Forces. While I cannot go into the detail of these meetings for reasons of confidentiality, I know that the individuals were met and treated in a sympathetic manner and given an opportunity to provide their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces have a 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. The Defence Forces have processes and procedures in place which were developed with professional guidance and which reflect best practice. These processes and procedures educate personnel, facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (15 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Bills from my Department are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by the Department which has been approved by Government. Since 27 June 2020 my Department has not published any Bills. The following two Bills which were published before 27 June 2020 are currently progressing through the parliamentary process: 1. Defence Forces (Forensic...