Results 7,821-7,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 686 together. The circumstances facing the State with the COVID 19 virus pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on the principal response agencies and the health service in particular. The Defence Forces are providing supports, across a wide range of areas, to the civil authorities as part of the State's response to the COVID 19 virus. Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 683 together. The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500 personnel. Personnel in training are counted as part of the 9,500 strength level. As at 30th September 2020, the strength of the PDF was 8,529 personnel (whole time equivalents). Of that strength, 435 personnel were in full time induction training of varying durations, comprised...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 684 together. As of 2nd October, 2020, Ireland is contributing 571 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The number of personnel serving overseas by rank is outlined in the following table. Rank - Officers Number Rank -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines. In 2019, the Department complied with the guidelines with the exception of five contracts (in excess of €25,000) totalling €161,297 (excluding VAT) relating to various services contracts, which...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of transport arrangements for paediatric organ transplant transfers to the UK. Air transport for these patients is currently provided in three ways: Air Corps fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft; Irish Coast Guard rotor-wing aircraft; and private air ambulance providers. As...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The United Nations reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owed Equipment costs in respect of contributions to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The timing of the receipt of reimbursements is dependent on the financial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 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. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware my Department is in ongoing legal correspondence with Kildare County Council on the matter and as such I am not in a position to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The building in the Defence Forces Training Centre, which housed a Post Office, was in use until 2019. The future use of this building will be informed by the Defence Forces plans for the long term configuration of this military installation. When such proposals are developed, any building works, if required, will be incorporated into the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: A total of nine confirmed data protection breaches were identified in the Department of Defence in 2019. Given the assessed level of risk involved to the data subjects, it was decided, in eight of the cases, that there was no requirement to report them to the Data Protection Commission (DPC). These eight breaches did not involve the disclosure or loss of multiple documents or amounts of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh. The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines the Defence Capital Expenditure Projects in excess of €20 million that have been completed since 1 January 2016. Name of Project Commenced Completed Actual Cost (VAT incl.) Naval Service Vessel Replacement Programme & Armament Project 2010 2019 €288 million ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case concerning the arrest of a human rights defender in India on 8 October who is currently detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Our Embassy in New Delhi has engaged on the matter through the EU Delegation,  including with the National Human Rights Commission of India, particularly in view of the advanced years...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (22 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Investigations (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: While it was not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy at the time within the given timeframe, I am now in a position to do so.   I am advised by the Military Authorities that as of 20 October, there are currently 22 Redress of Wrongs (ROW) cases active within the Defence Forces as the table below illustrates: Location of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I refer to the previous reply to the Deputy and the website referenced whodoeswhat.gov.ie.  If one clicks on my Department listing on that site, it provides an initial organisation chart of the Management Board.  However, by clicking on each individual Board member, the Principals and those directly reporting to that member are shown. Therefore, the details as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2017, the European Committee of Social Rights, in a non- binding ruling, found that Ireland was in violation of the European Social Charter in respect of the right to organise, that is to affiliate to certain organisations, and the right to negotiate collective agreements. It found that Ireland was not in violation of the Charter in respect of the prohibition of the right of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: It is a pleasure to be here. I can come back if people want to spend a bit more time on policy issues because I know that we are tight for time today and that it is really important to get these Revised Estimates passed today. If members want me to come back in to speak about different elements of policy or policy development, I would be more than happy to come back in respect of either...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: That would be great. Literally the only change in the Revised Estimate reflects the fact that, under the programme for Government, a decision was made to transfer responsibility for trade from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A small number of staff and an associated budget will also shift from one Department to the other. We are...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: During and following the talks on the programme for Government, the party leaders decided that, when the Ministries were shaped, they would revert to their previous model. I am open to correction if I am wrong on this, but I understand that trade was moved to the Department of Foreign Affairs when Eamon Gilmore became Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Tánaiste. This was done...