Results 8,081-8,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The circular to which the Deputy refers specifically relates to employment in the Civil Service and is governed by the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956-2005. The arrangements for pay and allowances in the Permanent Defence Force are set by Defence Force Regulations S3, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954 -2015. The matter is currently the subject of a claim through the Conciliation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 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 (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the provisions for the granting of Leave to members of the Permanent Defence Force are set out in Defence Forces Regulation A11. This Regulation provides that Special leave with pay may be granted to a member of the Permanent Defence Force for the purpose of attending examinations held by the Public Appointments Service, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to ongoing positive engagement with local schools and club communities in allowing the use of military facilities, where possible. In light of COVID-19, all long term and routine users of such facilities were notified at the time that the use of facilities was suspended. My Department will be in touch with clubs and other such users shortly with a view to informing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Directives (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that no EU fines were paid by my Department relating to the non-transposition of EU directives into Irish law.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: A review of technical pay was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review in the context of the agreement was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and, to facilitate implementation, an extensive High Level Plan titled ""Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and published on the same date. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. The age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together. As the Deputy may be aware, the Curragh Forum was established to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to consider and progress a wide range of issues regarding the use and management of the Curragh Plains. On the last occasion when the Forum met in January 2018 it was attended by representatives of Kildare County Council, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In Summer 2017, Property Management Branch of my Department became aware that soil had been deposited at the former quarry site in the vicinity of Donnelly's Hollow. The Department subsequently engaged environmental consultants to carry out an environmental risk assessment of the site. The material deposited was identified as clay which matched the profile of indigenous Curragh soil with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not engage a third-party company to conduct online or social media monitoring. The social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are monitored by staff in my department’s Communication’s Unit who also have a number of other duties and responsibilities.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The pay arrangements that exist for staff in my Department on sick leave for an extended period of time are those that pertain across the Civil Service. The Sick Leave Scheme in the Civil Service are set out in Circular 05/2018 – Arrangements for Paid Sick Leave, and operate in conjunction with the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations (SI 124 of 2014) and Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s high level plan “Strengthening Our Defence Forces – Phase 1” sets out a range of actions to be undertaken in the short, medium and longer term. The plan is complemented by a range of other HR actions which were already underway. The immediate pay measures set out in the plan i.e. an increase in Military Service Allowance, the reversal of 10% cuts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (1 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns the recent violence along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has led to the loss of life, including civilian casualties. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities by all sides.  Ireland fully supports the statement of EU  High Representative Josep Borrell on Sunday 27 September and the statement of the OSCE Minsk Co-Chairs...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (1 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government provided for the award of a commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both Permanent and Reserve, who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (1 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have requested the military authorities to provide the information requested by the Deputy and will revert to him once the information is received.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (30 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: When the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December, the UK will no longer apply the rules of the Single Market and Customs Union. This means that any business, regardless of size, that moves goods from, to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities and other regulatory requirements. The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan, published on 9...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (30 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department and Ireland’s network of Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing Government policies internationally, in particular at EU and UN levels; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular services; engaging with Irish diaspora...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (30 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: Immediate access to up-to-date and reliable information is critically important to the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs, including across the global Missions network.  The value of high quality information has been used in dealing with international challenges facing Ireland, including Brexit and COVID-19. At Headquarters, a dedicated Library Service is responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (30 Sep 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department and Ireland’s network of Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing Government policies internationally, in particular at EU and UN levels; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular services; engaging with Irish diaspora...