Results 7,681-7,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The existence of actual or alleged sex abuse claims within a workplace is probably one of the most serious issues to be addressed by an employer. As an employer, I wish to state categorically that I do not condone in any way any such behaviour within the Defence Forces. I urge anyone who has any complaint which they think constitutes a criminal offence to report their concerns to an Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 76 together. The tables below set out the information requested by the Deputy on the number of discharges from 2017 to 2019 and to 30th September 2020.  Army Year Applications Inductions Discharges Total Discharges in Training 2017 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Defence Force Regulations prescribe that members of the Permanent Defence Force, except in very limited cases, are examined by a Defences Forces Medical Officer before leaving the service on discharge, retirement or otherwise. Medical examinations under the provisions of the relevant Defence Forces Regulations are carried out as soon as possible after notification has been received that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Ambulance Service (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary defence and security 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In July 2011, The Government approved arrangements, whereby Enterprise Ireland would support the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere. The 2015 White Paper on Defence confirms this arrangement, stating...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (17 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 White Paper also sets out a blueprint for the development of the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to support the PDF in crisis...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Cyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens. Consequently, the response to cyber threats is a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications taking the lead role and with inputs in the security domain from An...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and recognises the important role that they play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.  The Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment to establish an Independent Commission on the Defence Forces. This will encompass the role and contribution of the RDF, including its...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (17 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, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks. In relation to its sea-fishery...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Members of the PDF, when not deployed overseas, are engaged in a range of activites including operations and training, and are available for service at all times.  Personnel undergoing induction training are not routinely deployed on military service but can be if required.  The circumstances facing the State with the COVID 19 virus pandemic has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence formally recognises two veterans’ organisations that represent all former personnel, namely, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. The Department provides grants to both associations. ONE currently has 12 Veterans Support...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a process under which groups of Member States can come together to develop capabilities in support of Common CSDP Operations. On a voluntary basis, 25 EU Member States have joined PESCO and subscribed to more binding commitments to invest, plan, develop and operate defence capabilities together within this EU framework. The objective of PESCO...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: My immediate priorities in relation to air-based capability have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and for two Airbus CN 295 maritime patrol aircraft.  No decisions have made for the acquisition of additional aircraft in other roles.  Some €265 million, including VAT,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Maritime Jurisdiction (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The judgment referred to by the Deputy concerned fishing in the 0-6 nautical mile zone of the State’s 12-mile territorial sea, while the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the body of water that stretches from 12 miles out to a distance of 200 miles. Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a coastal State has exclusive rights within its EEZ over fishing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to addressing the needs and rights of people living with disabilities. This commitment is reflected in actions across our development cooperation programme as well as in our broader engagement with the EU, UN and other international bodies. Ireland formally ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the European Court of Auditors report to which the Deputy refers. The report makes a number of recommendations regarding the recruitment of staff to the EU’s Institutions. Recruitment to the EU institutions is carried out centrally by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). EPSO regularly runs open competitions to recruit generalist and specialist EU civil...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shared Island Unit (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together. The Programme for Government sets out the Government’s commitment to working with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. Research and dialogue will be at the centre of the Shared Island initiative.  The Government will seek a broad...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The situation in the region is complex and information is oftentimes far from clear, but I can assure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh very closely. Though the recent hostilities have now ended, they had a devastating impact on local civilian populations. The destruction of essential services during the conflict, including hospitals and utility...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains contingent liability under ongoing review as part of the Departmental budgetary process. To date, the Department has not identified a requirement for a contingent liability amount to be set.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that we are closely monitoring the situation in Ethiopia through the Embassy of Ireland in Addis Ababa. Our Embassy officials are working with the local authorities and EU partners on the ground, including the EU delegation, to communicate with EU citizens in the region, including any affected Irish citizens. Telecommunication in the region has been impacted and, as...