Results 6,821-6,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no Acts, or parts of Acts, coming under the responsibility of the Department of Defence awaiting commencement.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project and Defence Forces Service in the UN: Motions (30 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: We are all still trying to get used to these new surroundings. Even a year after Covid-19 struck, it is not easy to have proper conversations on complex issues when one is not in the same room as others. I will, obviously, try to answer people's questions as they arise and, hopefully, give the committee a detailed outline of the subjects on which I am asking for the committee members'...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project and Defence Forces Service in the UN: Motions (30 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I will deal with Deputy Gannon's questions first. I am not sure this will make a huge impact with respect to underwater fibre cables but I can come back to the Deputy on the technicalities of that. My understanding is that MARSUR III is more about surveillance on the surface of the water, primarily, and the sharing of information in a way that is confidential and secure. That is important...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project and Defence Forces Service in the UN: Motions (30 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I will answer Deputy Berry's questions first. I agree with his comment on the importance of the Naval Service. I live next door to a Naval Service base; Deputy Stanton lives pretty close to it. In normal times, I cycle down to the Naval Service base most weekends and sometimes run along there as well. I know it very well and I know many people working there. As Minister, I am more than...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project and Defence Forces Service in the UN: Motions (30 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I will try to do that. This is less of an ask per se and more of an outlining of the facts but it also applies to 2019. In truth, this is a little out of date. It is a procedure that we have to go through to explain. The reality is we are still involved in all of these missions and the 2019 picture is very similar to the picture today, although the numbers vary slightly. The following...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project and Defence Forces Service in the UN: Motions (30 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: On vaccines first, we have been insistent on ensuring that the Defence Forces before heading off on rotation whether it is to UNIFIL or the United National Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, are vaccinated beforehand. That was an understandable ask from representative bodies and we also wanted to do it, particularly given the role of the Defence Forces in the roll-out of vaccines, testing...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am pleased to be back in the Seanad this evening. The ongoing engagement of Senators is very welcome on what remains an issue of vital importance for businesses and citizens on the island of Ireland. Since my last appearance before the Senators, we have seen the successful conclusion of EU-UK negotiations on a future relationship and the end of the transition...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: This has been a really good series of statements from Senators from all parties. The tone has been very considered and generous in terms of trying to link the challenges we face with the relationships we need to rebuild and manage. At times this is difficult, especially when people approach the same challenge from a very different perspective. Trying to reach a common understanding is...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The answer in that regard is to alter supply chains, which is what has already happened. Let us take the example of a box of corn flakes. Corn flakes sold in Ireland are produced in Spain, by and large. They go to a redistribution centre in the UK and are redistributed into the UK and Ireland supply chain from there. However, because they are repackaged and re-boxed there, a tariff...

Seanad: Matters Arising from the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I will happily come back on the issue of the UN Security Council. We can talk about China.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs can be contacted by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas  at the following email address: minister@dfa.ie. There is no State Body under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. As such, the Department does not provide an email address to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas under circular 25/2016.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs has neither received nor accepted any protected disclosures since the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into force.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs has not received any protected disclosures since the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into effect.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (25 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 Policy (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The decision, announced on the 17th March, of the Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation in Turkey to formally request the dissolution of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) is extremely concerning. The HDP is the third largest party in Turkey and this step could potentially deny representation to millions of Turkish voters. This is the latest move by the Turkish authorities against...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024. The Department of Foreign Affairs continually engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The circular to which the Deputy refers, sets out the Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments.  The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together. The table below details the numbers of disclosures received by my Department between the 1stJanuary 2017 and the 19thMarch 2021. Year Number of Disclosures 2017 11 2018 4 2019 4 2020 12 2021 2 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Progressing Disability Services (PDS) is a national programme to reorganise children’s disability services. It will change the way children and their families’ access and receive clinical disability services and aims to provide a fairer pathway to clinical supports.  This programme is led by the HSE in partnership with the non-statutory disability organisations, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (25 Mar 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 Military Authorities have advised that as of 28 February 2021, the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) combined, is 1,574 and is set out in the table below: LT COL ...