Results 7,961-7,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As a strong supporter of the United Nations (UN), Ireland is committed to making forces available for UN mandated missions, pursuant to its commitments under the UN Charter. Given the unprecedented nature and unique circumstances of Covid 19 and in order to mitigate its transmission, the United Nations Secretary General, on 5th April 2020, directed a number of measures to protect UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under attack....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 342 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (8 Oct 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 those former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff. The scheme allows for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years and the duration of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The leave that may be granted to Defence Forces personnel when on service outside the State with an International United Nations Force, is subject to the UN regulation governing that Force and is therefore at the discretion and direction of the UN. As such, different annual leave arrangements can apply to different mission areas, depending on specific mission Standard Operating...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence operates as a partnership between the Department of Defence and Local Authorities. As Minister, my Department is responsible for setting down national Civil Defence policy, for funding up to 70% of the cost of Civil Defence services within Local Authorities and for the provision of training for Civil Defence Volunteers. Local Authorities have overall responsibility for day to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The UK Government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged. Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations. From time to time, consultants or companies with a public relations and communications background are commissioned to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management. In 2019, following a competitive tender process, my Department signed a contract with Zero G for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The establishment of the new Government and the decision to transfer the Trade Promotion function from my Department to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation necessitates a revision of the Department's organisation structure. In addition, there are changes to the Department's organisational Senior Management team following the annual summer rotations to and from our overseas...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As part of its response to the global Covid pandemic, the United Nations Secretary General in April of this year, directed the suspension of all rotations and leave for military personnel serving in United Nations missions until 30 June. The UN direction impacted over 100,000 UN uniformed personnel from over 120 countries serving world-wide, including Ireland and Defence Forces personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Operation IRINI, the UN mandated EU Naval mission in the eastern Mediterranean was launched on the 31st of March 2020. Its core task is the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya (through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets). As secondary tasks, the operation will contribute to the implementation of UN measures to prevent illicit export of petroleum from Libya,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day to day tasking 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 is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has no contracts currently with public relations agencies or consultants.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Tests (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that all Defence Force deployments, within means and capabilities, are undertaken in line with the national policy in response to COVID-19. PDF personnel been conducting operations in support of the Health Service Executive to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic since March 2020. These operations cover a wide range of activities including contact...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As with all Departments, the organisational details for my Department of all grades to Principal, inclusive, are publicly available on the Government website; whodoeswhat.gov.ie. This includes the role of each individual. During current COVID restrictions, all officers can be reached by contacting the telephone number for the Department's headquarters; 045 492000.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Similar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis. Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases have been weighted in favour of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 342 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by Government, a Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme was developed and 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 and is designed to modernise and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 173 and 175 together. As of the 30th August 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the current strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,374 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel, comprised of 6,763 Army personnel, 716 Air Corps personnel and 895 Naval Service personnel. The following table shows the equivalent data for years...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Agencies....