Results 8,481-8,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves. The Travel Advice is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Functions (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Act and will be determined by a Government Decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order under Section 6 of that Act. Detailed provisions on managing the transfer of functions are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Transfer of Functions – Guidelines and Best Practice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 350, inclusive, together. I am concerned at the persistent high levels of violence in some areas of Colombia, including in the Chocó and Urabá regions, and the effect that this is having on local populations and the environment. The signing of a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP in 2016 led to a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be arranging for the publication of briefing material, in accordance with the usual procedures, provided to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, upon my appointment to the Cabinet.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The recently agreed Programme for Government contains a range of actions concerning the defence sector that will be implemented over the lifetime of the Programme. The potential cost implications arising from implementation of the actions will be determined in the context of the normal planning, estimates and budgetary cycles governed by any relevant separate Government decisions where these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Consultancy Contracts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department utilises a range of learning and development resources delivered by Department staff and through the Civil Service training body, One Learning. This is occasionally supplemented by external providers. In terms of external costs incurred for diversity and inclusion training, unconscious bias training was provided in 2019 by Shannon Consulting at a cost of €1,700.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Legal Costs (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external legal fees in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the following table Year Amount 2016 €9,213.67 2017 €40.00 2018 €645.75 2019 Nil 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Records (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has examined the matter and I can confirm that the required information was posted to the person in question on 2 July 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together. I am advised by the military authorities that there is no provision in the Naval Service establishment for aircraft handlers. The requirement for specific appointments in the Naval Service will be kept under review.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Jul 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, as well as, in due course, the replacement of LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the next...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: A copy of the Ministerial Brief, provided following my appointment as Minister for Defence, will be published shortly on my Department's website. Where there are any redactions, these will be in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, will provide a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. The Deputy will appreciate that for commercially sensitive reasons I am not in a position to disclose estimated costs at this point in time. As...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (30 Jun 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: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my  Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the  Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  This has meant employees working from home where it is possible for them to do so, unless they need to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that we are providing consular assistance to this citizen, through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, and through our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai. Our focus has been on supporting the citizen’s consular needs, particularly his health and welfare, while he and his legal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together. Venezuela is currently experiencing the worst political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis in its history. I am particularly concerned regarding the humanitarian needs of the population, which are acute. Due to the severe lack of access to basic goods, services, medicines and medical equipment, the impact of the COVID-19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned regarding developments relating to LGBTI+ rights in Poland. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union. Advancing human rights is central to Ireland’s foreign policy, The Global Island.  Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) is developing guidelines for civil service organisations (Working from Home during COVID-19 – Guidance for Civil Service Organisations), which is intended to assist Departments for as long as necessary to address the health and safety risks of COVID-19.  These guidelines are due to issue shortly.  D/PER has also...