Results 7,261-7,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Tests (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, there are now new pre-departure testing requirements for all passengers travelling to Ireland.Effective from 16 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland are required to have a negative/‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. This does not apply to travel from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland assumed its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. We are committed to being an active and constructive Council member and are engaging across the full Council agenda, which includes some 30 country and regional files and 20 thematic files. Three core principles will frame our approach: building peace, strengthening conflict prevention and ensuring accountability. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Fishing Industry (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government is fully aware of contact between a Scottish marine patrol vessel and an Irish fishing vessel, the Northern Celt, near Rockall earlier this month. I met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 7 January to discuss developments in relation to Rockall. The Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: No employee of my Department, civil servant or civilian employee, has received a Covid-19 vaccine due to their role in the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: As regards the specific information sought by the Deputy, at end-December 2020, the numbers of retired officers and retired enlisted ranks of the Permanent Defence Force in receipt of pensions from my Department are as follows: Type of Pension No. of recipients – Retired Officers No. of recipients –Retired Enlisted Ranks Retirement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Appointments (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Under section 11 of the Defence Act 1954, there is a requirement that a Council of Defence shall stand established. The section also provides that the Minister of State at the Department of Defence shall be a member of the Council. As such, there is a legislative requirement that there is a Minister of State at the Department of Defence to discharge that function. To address this issue,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The age requirement is applicable to all candidates and exceptions cannot be made in individual cases. An independently chaired review is underway at present which is examining recruitment practices and procedures in the Defence Forces. I await...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: For operational and security reasons, personnel numbers located at specified military installations are not divulged. It is important to note that the number of personnel stationed at any particular barracks will vary on an on-going basis, as it is a normal operational feature for there to be a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of such installations.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the upgrade of the former USAC building is included in the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 at an estimated cost of €8m. The Deputy may wish to note that the project is now at an advanced stage of the procurement process and subject to the conclusion of same it is planned to commence works on the site in 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security and defence role. It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (20 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan 2020-2025provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a five year timeframe and is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces. There are currently over €68m worth of projects underway at different stages of development. This level of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2020 the ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’ public information campaign continued to run over TV, radio, print and social media. This campaign followed on from similar campaigns that ran in 2018 and 2019. With the UK’s departure from the EU at the beginning of 2020 it was important to highlight the substantial and lasting changes for businesses that were to come into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105, 108 and 110 together. The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of serious concern. Although Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, we are concerned by ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The trafficking of women, men, girls, and boys, is a grave violation of the human rights of the individuals concerned under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ireland supports all action to prevent trafficking. Countering trafficking is a priority for the EU, and the key elements of the EU’s multifaceted approach are set...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rockall Island Ownership (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of contact between a Scottish marine patrol vessel and an Irish fishing vessel, the Northern Celt, near Rockall on 4 January. The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 7 January to discuss developments in relation to Rockall. The skipper of the Northern Celt also contacted my Department and a response has now issued...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, Bolivia conducted a repeat round of general elections on 18 October 2020 after the previous elections of 20 October 2019 were annulled due to irregularities detected during the preliminary results transmission and the subsequent tabulation of results. These irregularities raised suspicions and led to an audit conducted by the Organisation of American States...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Overcoming the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents to the health and well-being of our citizens is a critical and immediate priority for this Government. During the initial period of the crisis my Department supported the repatriation of more than 8,000 Irish citizens and secured essential PPE for our health workers. We are also supporting the Diaspora who have been effected by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland took up its seat as an elected member of the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term on 1 January 2021. We intend to make a constructive contribution across the agenda of the Council, which has nearly tripled since Ireland last held a seat 20 years ago.  In recognition of the areas of focus by the Security Council, both geographically and sectorally, additional posts have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Croatia enjoy very warm relations. There is a significant Croatian diaspora living in Ireland and many Irish people visit Croatia each year. In relation to our diplomatic presence in Croatia,  there are no plans to open a Consulate General office in Dubrovnik. Our Embassy in Zagreb is well-equipped to deal with all consular issues affecting the Irish community likely to arise...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.  One of the main policy initiatives undertaken by my Department since the 27th June 2020 follows a commitment made in the Programme for Government to establish a Commission on the...