Results 6,801-6,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that any Passport Online backlog can be cleared in six to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Sanctions (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 to 529, inclusive, together. On 7 December 2020, the European Council adopted the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR), which allows the EU to target serious human rights violations and abuses by state and non-state actors worldwide. It enables the EU to stand up quickly and in a more tangible and direct way for human rights, one of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Garda Vetting (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's Authentication and Apostille service has remained open throughout COVID-19 in order to process important documents. The office is currently experiencing a high level of demand, with turnaround times approximately 15 working days. In order to provide an update on the status of any application, and to expedite it if considered urgent, the office...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My thoughts, and the thoughts of the Government, are with the family and friends of Noah Donohoe at this extremely distressing time, and as they contend with such a profound personal loss. The case of Noah’s death is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and an investigation is underway. I understand that a Coroner's investigation is also ongoing. As such, it would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Sign Language (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs recognizes the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language in accordance with the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. The Department has provided and will continue to provide Irish Sign Language Interpreters to assist employees who are deaf when required. The Passport Service, as a public office, has a dedicated member...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced include Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008. These Sections of the Passports Act, if commenced, would provide that guardians’ consent to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. These provisions will be considered as part of the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In line with Government guidance that, at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high-quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19. This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high-quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19. This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together. The former Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Horst Köhler, stepped down in 2019 for health reasons and the role has been vacant since. Ireland believes appointing a new Personal Envoy will be essential to the efforts to re-engage both parties in UN-facilitated talks and to assist the conflict parties to achieve a just,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the situation in the Suez Canal, which I am glad to note has been resolved. Issues relating to vaccination are a matter for the Minister for Health, who is best placed to comment on the supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the EU.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department operates in a number of locations in Ireland and approximately 90 locations worldwide and comprises of two Votes; Vote 27 International Cooperation and Vote 28 Foreign Affairs. The Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant procurement guidelines. Procurement takes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the State Claims Agency (SCA) has delegated authority to manage personal injury claims taken against the Minister for Defence. With regard to the specific breakdown of personal injury claims requested by the Deputy, this information is not held by the Department in this format. The SCA has been contacted to ascertain if the information can be provided in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 555 together. The COVID-19 vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Defence Forces has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence 2015, reinforced by the White Paper Update 2019, sets out the Government’s medium term policy for Defence. It is recognised that the principal demand drivers of Defence capital funding are the ongoing renewal, retention and acquisition of military equipment along with the development of Defence Forces built infrastructure. The acquisition of military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 548 together. A review of technical pay in the Defence Forces was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review in the context of the agreement was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has been actively involved with the Military Authorities in the process of reviewing Defence Force Regulation (DFR) R5. Completion of amendments to DFR R5 and DFR S7 (matters relating to RDFRA) are interlinked. These Regulations encompass a broad range of matters from Finance, Human Resources, promotions and training to effectiveness criteria. Amendments are complex and time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The legislative provision regarding Officer promotions is set out in Part 4 section 45 of the Defence Act. Defence Force Regulation R5 (New Series) is the governing Regulation for the Reserve Defence Force, and Paragraph 31 therein governs promotions within the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. Section 31(2) of the Regulation additionally provides that an Officer of the Reserve,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish Horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Army Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is anticipated that cadetship competitions for the 3 branches of the Permanent Defence Force will commence shortly. The Government is committed to maximising recruitment and so retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Irish Sign Language (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 recognises Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native language of the State and provides that the “community of persons using ISL shall have the right to use, develop and preserve Irish Sign Language”. My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to ensure free ISL translation services for ISL users when that person is seeking to...