Results 7,361-7,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 309, inclusive, and 314 together. In accordance withn a commitment made in the Programme for Government, I wish to confirm that Government approval was granted today to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission, which is due to commence its work before the end of this year, has been given a mandate to report within 12...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: A total of forty six Irish personnel have died while on service in UNIFIL since the initial deployment to Lebanon in 1978. There were a number of causes of death. Some were killed while on duty, others died as a result of being involved in traffic accidents or other accidents, some died due to natural causes and one person is missing presumed dead. Information in relation to the military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The total deaths in service for the Army and Naval Service for the past 20 years as of 31 October is 204 and 16 respectively. The military authorities have advised that the definitive reasons for cause of death were not recorded in every case. I have asked the military authorities to further examine your request and I will revert to the Deputy with a reply as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (15 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a programme of ongoing review through its business planning process and its engagement with me on the priorities for the Defence Organisation. The Department has been engaged in a wide range of review and reform both internally and as part of the wider public sector reform process. My Department was to the forefront of adoption of the provision of shared transactional HR...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: As I have stated previously in this House, most recently on 8 December, I have engaged with my counterpart in China on this matter on a number of occasions, including recently via a phone call to discuss the case. I can further advise that the case has been raised regularly at senior political and diplomatic level with the relevant authorities in China, and with the Embassy of China in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are a number of bilateral agreements between Ireland and Israel, including in the fields of visas, taxation and scientific research. Ireland's position on settlement expansion and related infrastructure development is very clear. Settlements are illegal under international law. Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements informs our engagement with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs paid professional fees on behalf of 13 employees, at a total cost of €4,192 (see table below). It is the practice of the Department of Foreign Affairs to pay or reimburse officers of the Department for professional annual subscriptions where they are deemed to be relevant to the officer’s current role. These professional fees cover...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 the revocation of citizenship. Respect for human rights is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The table below sets out the number of professional fees paid by my Department on behalf of civil service staff, and the amount of each fee. The information refers to fees paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2020. Professional Body No. of Staff Total Cost Certified Public Accountants in Ireland 1 €615.00 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (10 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The following table details the number of Permanent Defence Force personnel medically discharged in each of the years 2000 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by service branch, as advised by the Military Authorities: Army Air Corps Naval Service 2000 18 2 2 2001 24  0 2 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Project ROXANNE is an EU-funded collaborative research and innovation project under the European Union Horizon 2020 programme. The involvement of An Garda Síochána is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. The participation of Israel in the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme is governed by a 2014 agreement between the EU and Israel that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government has always sought to acknowledge and address the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks in this jurisdiction. We are deeply conscious of the enduring suffering and hardship that survivors of Troubles-related violence bear, both North and South, and indeed in Britain and Europe. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, which was collectively agreed by the two Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland after extensive talks.  The framework of the Stormont House Agreement provided for a set of institutions to deal comprehensively and fairly with the legacy of the Troubles, and this framework...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies Data (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are no bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The total deaths in service for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service for the past 20 years as of 31 October is 204, 21 and 16 respectively. The Deputy will be aware that there is ongoing litigation in relation to allegations regarding the use of certain chemicals in the Air Corps. As the matter is subject to litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on any speculation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The total deaths in service for the Air Corps since 2000 as of 30 November 2020 is 21.   The Military Authorities have advised that six of those deaths relate to accidents, four of which occurred while the personnel in question were on duty. Fifteen deaths were non-accident related.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines the number of vacancies that exist in the PDF as at 31st October 2020. Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions. It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies Data (9 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The only State body currently under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board.  The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, and is based in St. Bricin's Military Hospital in Dublin. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members.  The two ordinary members...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (8 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2012, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a 'Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy', setting out principles, objectives and priorities designed to improve the effectiveness and consistency of EU policy. This was the first time that the EU developed a unified Strategic Framework for this vital policy area. The EU Council of Ministers has adopted three Action Plans implementing...