Results 7,601-7,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Norway enjoy excellent bilateral political and economic relations. Norway is a key partner across a wide range of key issues, including on energy, climate change and the environment. We also enjoy strong co-operation with Norway through our joint membership of the European Economic Area. The two countries share a strong commitment to multilateralism and in contributing to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Iceland enjoy strong bilateral political and economic relations. The two countries have much in common though shared and intertwined histories, with geographic proximity and strong maritime traditions. Many aspects of common cultural heritage have facilitated the development of a close relationship, with a bond developed over many centuries. Bilateral trade for 2018 was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Switzerland enjoy close bilateral relations. As Ireland's fifth largest merchandise trade partner, Switzerland is a significant trading partner for Ireland: total merchandise trade amounted to €7.2bn in 2018 of which €6.4bn were exports and €700m imports. Switzerland is Ireland’s ninth largest services trading partner: Irish services exports amounted to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a regular dialogue with the UAE on a broad range of bilateral issues, including policing and justice co-operation. Ireland does not currently have an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates. Any decision on whether to begin negotiations on a treaty would be taken based on a recommendation by the Department of Justice, which oversees Ireland’s policy on extradition.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh (CG Edinburgh) is one of two Consulates General of Ireland in Great Britain that complement the work of the Embassy of Ireland in London. CG Edinburgh is staffed by a Consul General, a Vice Consul General, and an additional supporting official from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Consulate also employs one local staff member to assist with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy.  Details, if any, on the number of times, the events and the amount of funding availed of from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to facilitate Defence Forces personnel competing in international events over the last 3 years will be compiled and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Search and Rescue Service Provision (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. The Irish Coast Guard fall under the remit of the Minister for Transport. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Search and Rescue Service Provision (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Whilst 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.  As part of the Defence Organisation, the Air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government recognises the importance of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.  The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF.   The Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020, made provisions for the enlistment of formerly enlisted personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available.  I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is not currently available. I have requested that the data be compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available.  I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The rates of pay for members of the RDF is calculated in line with the rates of pay for members of the PDF. As per Defence Force Regulations, the rate of pay for the RDF is linked with first point of the scale of the rate of pay for the PDF.  Prior to the Financial Emergency, the pay scales applying to the PDF also applied to the RDF. Under FEMPI measures, the pay cuts that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Last April, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence, launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme was those former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff where shortages exist  The scheme allows for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that a recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) was opened in spring of this year. However, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities, leading to difficulties in conducting inductions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 1 April last, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme is on former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff, where shortages exist.  Following recommendations by the Chief of Staff, and with my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: When Permanent Defence Force personnel are deployed overseas their families have access to a range of supports throughout the period of the deployment.   I am advised by military authorities that the Personnel Support Service (PSS) within the Defence Forces, which has at its disposal, trained military support staff and occupational social workers, remains available to all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Veterans (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I recognise the valued public service that was given to the State by retired members of the Permanent Defence Force. As with other members of society, former members of the Permanent Defence Force can experience difficulties. In such circumstances they have access to the wide range of supports available to all citizens. Retired personnel also have access to the strong...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Defence Sector funding is provided through the annual Budgetary process, through allocations in respect of Vote 36 Defence and Vote 35 Army Pensions. The total gross allocation provided to the Defence Sector in Budget 2021 is €1,072.3 million, comprising of €809.7 million for Vote 36 and €262.6 million for Vote 35. The Defence Vote receives reimbursements from...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.  While the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, the Naval Service also carries out a number of non-fishery related tasks including...