Results 7,121-7,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including in relation to reports of arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in the province of Xinjiang.  We have been active in raising our concerns in relation to this matter....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Government is closely following the situation in Hong Kong, particularly in relation to a series of arrests that have been made since the introduction of a National Security Law in the region. The EU has been active in raising its concerns in relation to the situation in Hong Kong, both via statements and by raising our concerns directly with Chinese authorities, particularly at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland supports all efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria. Building on the 2012 Geneva Communiqué, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) established a framework for a political solution. Under that framework, a UN facilitated but Syrian owned and led Constitutional Committee comprised of representatives of the Syrian Government, opposition...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on Rockall. We, along with our respective officials, are considering all options for further engagement on the issues involved. The Government has been in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on Rockall over recent years, and intensively since the beginning of the year. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas. The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that these issues are for consideration by the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, in the context of Government policy regarding transport in the State and COVID-19 public health guidelines.  

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 343 together. As of 5 January 2021, Ireland is contributing 586 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 350 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 341 together. The linked table outlines the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as at 31 December 2020, broken down by service and gender. A total of 538 personnel were inducted to PDF in 2020 comprised of 385 General Service recruits, 69 cadets, 20 Air Corps apprentices, 7 Direct Entry personnel, 42 re-enlisted personnel and 15...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (3 Feb 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).  As of 31 December 2020, the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) combined, is 1,588, and is set out in the table below: LT COL COMDT CAPT LT TOTAL OFFR...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The ability to conduct inductions into the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve during 2020 was severely impacted by the Covid 19 public health pandemic. Notwithstanding the difficulties associated with Covid 19 restrictions, 69 additional new members were inducted during the year, as set out in the table below: Service Male Female Total ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: While the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.  In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response. A wide range of supports have since been provided to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies. In this regard, a total of 1,457 days were served by members of the Reserve involved in authorised...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 351 together. New organisational structures were introduced for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in 2013 which involved the establishment of a ‘Single Force’ structure. Under the Single Force Structure, Formations play a central role in RDF and Permanent Defence Force (PDF) recruitment, with oversight provided by Recruitment and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The information sought could not be collated within the timeframe for the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is made available to me by the Military Authorities.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defence Forces, in line with other civil and public service organisations, have adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  In accordance with the Government Direction on essential services, Defence Forces operations are continuing, at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that there are currently no plans, nor are there any Defence Forces' properties for sale, on the open market.  I have previously  indicated that my  Department has had proactive engagements with the Land Development Agency (LDA), following confirmation of its interest in acquiring the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar for the development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Military Authorities have advised that as of 28 Jan 2021 the total number of recorded positive COVID-19 cases within the Defence Forces is 440 of which 59 remain active. Covid-19 is impacting across all sectors, including the Defence Forces.  I would like to acknowledge and commend the work of the whole organisation and indeed all other front- line service providers in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Defence Force Regulation R5 (DFR R5) is the governing Regulation for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. DFR R.5 facilitates the payment of travel allowances to Reservists.   These are remunerated in line with the provisions for pay and allowances for both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, which are set out in Defence Force Regulation S.3.  

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Covid-19 is impacting across all sectors, including the Defence Forces.  I would like to acknowledge and commend the work of the whole organisation, including both the Naval Service and the Air Corps, in maintaining key operations, including the ability to respond to emergencies, in the face of unprecedented disruptions across many areas of Irish life at this time. To date, Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (3 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps is responsible for the provision and maintenance of communications and information systems for the Defence Forces. Where specific needs arise in any area of the Defence Forces that cannot be filled by military personnel, civilian employee roles may be advertised openly through a number of channels, including military.ie, The...