Results 10,481-10,500 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: It is important to remember the Department of Defence does not have any role in the provision of housing accommodation for the general public and cannot provide housing for people who have no entitlement to such from the public purse. People are under no illusion that when they retire from the Defence Forces that they must give up their accommodation as well. They understand they are given...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I will bring the question of how information is posted on the website to my Department's attention, particularly as regards the matter raised by the Deputy, and see whether anything can be done. Like him, I recognise the great sacrifices made by a significant number of people across our small country during wartime. I assure him that the Department of Defence will assist in any...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for her question. During the term of this Government, four barracks have been closed: Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, O'Neill Barracks in Cavan, Columb Barracks in Mullingar and Mitchell Barracks in Castlebar. The closures were effective from March 2012. Agreement in principle has been reached on the sale of Kickham Barracks to Tipperary County Council. The council is...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: Following the closure of the barracks, the Department invited Departments and other public bodies to express an interest in the property. None did. In the meantime, a one year lease was signed with the Westmeath GAA county board for the use of part of the former barracks as a centre of excellence for the development of Gaelic games in the county. Subsequently, agreement has been reached in...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: Like any other Department, the Department of Defence will not hide anything in this regard. I am surprised that Deputy Wallace called the GAA the "Grab All Association". I appreciate the work the GAA has done in my county, as I am sure is the case for every Deputy. I am involved in the GAA and have never referred to it as the "Grab All Association". I am surprised that Deputy Wallace...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: -----whisper "Grab All Association" to Deputy Clare Daly.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: As other Ministers have outlined to the House, the consolidation of the Defence Forces' formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective in the ongoing defence in moderation programme. It has been recommended in many reports in recent years and is the Government's main consideration when addressing the issue, as releasing personnel for security and support functions enables...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for his question. For the most part, there is no impediment to members of the Defence Forces making representations directly to their elected representatives. The only restriction in this regard relates to service matters, including postings, transfers, promotions, overseas service and other matters connected with service in the Defence Forces. Paragraph 27 of General...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I do not have an issue with whoever wishes to attend. My Department's officials can consider any requests from the family. This week, both the Lebanese authorities and the UNIFIL personnel were made aware of the Irish Government's desire for closure for the family of Private Joyce. During a visit last Monday with me to Lebanon, the Taoiseach asked for the assistance of the Lebanese...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: There has been a huge amount of consultation between the Lebanese authorities and the Department about this case because of the circumstances. To date, no information has been elicited to lead to the recovery of Private Joyce. However, I am advised by the military authorities that even though it is now 33 years since this tragic event happened, the case remains open and efforts are made...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: The development of the commemorative programme for the centenary period, to include the First World War, is being co-ordinated on behalf of the Government by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. I understand that arrangements to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War are at an advanced stage and officials from the Department of Defence...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Vessels (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the Naval Base is of primary concern. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority, HSA, guidelines while dealing with the current situation. Earlier this year while work was being carried out on both LE Orlaand LE Ciaramaterial which was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Vessels (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy asked about the fleet and the operational duties. The Naval Service is currently operating with six ships, which is 75% of allocated resources. It is inevitable that a lower level of operational output will continue over the coming months until the fleet is fully operational again. Where the Naval Service would on occasion visit harbours, specifically over the summer months,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Vessels (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: A consultant was brought in previously. Off the top of my head I cannot tell the Deputy the year but I am almost sure, and I can revert to him by way of correspondence, that consultancy is no longer in business.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Vessels (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: There is no way the Department can go back to that company but I will clarify that by way of correspondence with the Deputy. It could have been early 2000 or a little later, but I am not certain on the date. The Deputy asked me about the LE Aoife-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Vessels (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I am aware a report is being done on one of the ships. I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I would like to again sympathise with the families because it is a difficult experience for any family when relatives who are serving members of the Defence Forces go to Lebanon and do not return. The case to which the Deputy refers relates back to April 1981 in Lebanon when a UN observation post manned by Private Hugh Doherty and Private Kevin Joyce came under attack. Private Doherty was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Accident Investigations (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I can assure the Deputy that is progressing and that correspondence is on the way to the family. It was my understanding that, following that meeting, the family was content with some of the commitments given by both the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff. Those are being progressed.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I thank Deputy Daly for her question. As has been said previously, military personnel are obliged under Defence Forces regulations to vacate married quarters within 21 days of retiring or being discharged from military service. The term "overholder" is used to describe former members of the Defence Forces and their families who have refused to leave married quarters when obliged to do so....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: A number of people who are in residence in the married quarters are vulnerable and the Department will examine their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. It is fine to live in the married quarters when one is a soldier, but it has been always been the case that once one has retired from the Defence Forces, one vacates those premises. People have been under no illusions over the past...