Results 5,641-5,660 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, mission is the main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed with a total of 356 personnel. Brigadier General Patrick Phelan was appointed deputy force commander UNIFIL in April 2012. The 106th infantry battalion, comprising some 332 personnel, deployed to UNIFIL in May 2012. The Irish battalion has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I am not aware of the last statement made by the Deputy. I will not comment on it without seeing it for myself. I commend the troops out there. I visited Lebanon on St. Patrick's Day and I assure the Deputy of the strong relationship with the local community. It has always been there and remains strong. When I was there, I was told the good relationship with the local community goes back...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: No one is a second class citizen and everyone is treated in a fair manner. It is not right or just to see what is happening at this point. The close relationship with the local community exists because of peacekeeping measures carried out by the Irish Defence Forces. The job of the Irish Defence Forces is to undertake peacekeeping in the area. The personnel have a connection with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: The steering committee, established to oversee the value for money review of the reserve, met most recently on the 19 September and is working towards completing the review by the end of this month. The steering committee commenced its work in February 2010, and in the intervening period other priorities, such as undertaking the comprehensive review of expenditure, diverted analytical...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: It is very important to read out the last paragraph.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: The Minister is looking forward to receiving the value for money report and considering its recommendations. Any further comments at this point, including possible options for the future development of the Reserve Defence Force, would be pre-empting the final report, and the Minister is anxious to allow the steering committee to complete its work.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I will repeat the second last paragraph of my reply. As I stated, there was speculation recently that the Defence Force Reserve is to be disbanded. This is unhelpful and unwarranted. There have been repeated assurances that no decision was made regarding the future development of the Defence Force Reserve pending the completion of the value for money report. I very much look forward to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: It was actually a Fianna Fáil Government that instigated the value for money review very early in 2010.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: We came into office in 2011. I explained in my reply the position on reorganisation and the comprehensive review of expenditure, and on the role of the people working on the review. We are anxious for progress but I will not pre-empt the content of any report to be published. I assure the Deputy that as soon as the value for money report is published, there will be questions on defence in...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 30 together. I addressed most of the issues in regard to the role of our contingent in UNIFIL in answering a priority parliamentary question on the matter earlier. In the area in which the Irish-Finnish battalion operates, the security situation remains calm but tense. The battalion implements force protection measures appropriate to the prevailing...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I assured the Deputy that this is kept under review daily by military personnel in Lebanon. As I stated, most of the Syrian strikes are in the north of Lebanon. The Irish 106th battalion is in south Lebanon on the blue line. The violence in Syria has not yet had an impact on the Irish peacekeeping mission. The Irish-Finnish battalion's mandate is specific to South Lebanon. The battalion...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I fully understand where Deputy Wallace is coming from and I take his views on board. However, the Irish troops are engaged in peacekeeping measures and are neutral in any such work. The conflict at the blue line is not as great as in north Lebanon along the Syrian border. I will pass on the Deputy's views to the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter.

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: Ireland's position as outlined by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is that we remain unpersuaded that military intervention or the arming of opposition factions would be likely to bring an end to the fighting or create the conditions for harmony. It is undeniable that there is little appetite, if any, among the international partners for external interventions,...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I acknowledge the Deputies' opinions, but I will not get caught in their crossfire. The deepening crisis in Syria could destabilise Lebanon, given the former's long history with and deep involvement in Lebanese politics. The situation should not be underestimated. The Lebanese Government and society are fearful that should the violence in Syria devolve into open sectarian warfare, it could...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: Investment in new equipment and the upgrading of existing equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, transport, aircraft, Naval Service ships and stores, and information and communications technology. I am advised that the 2012 provision for the purchase of defensive equipment and ammunition is €27.5...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I presume that the proceeds will go into the Defence Forces envelope of annual expenditure but I will revert to the Deputy with a more specific answer. I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and training resources, enables them to carry out their roles at home and overseas in a professional manner. Particular focus has been maintained...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 26 together. Malaria is a serious disease which can cause serious complications and death. It is estimated by the World Health Organization that approximately 1 million people die every year from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It has long been recognised as being a serious threat to any military force operating in a malarious area. Lariam is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I have explained that, to date, legal proceedings have been served against the Minister for Defence in five cases concerning prescription of Lariam. These claims are being managed by the State Claims Agency in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitor. Given the legal proceedings served, I will not comment further on any individual cases. I am personally unaware of any other potential...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: My understanding is that the US forces have stopped using the medication due to concerns about inadvertent prescription of the drug to soldiers who should not take it. In this regard, I am advised that the US authorities undertook mass administration of Lariam to soldiers serving in areas subject to malaria without individual screening of personnel. The Defence Forces do not mass prescribe...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (20 Sep 2012)

Paul Kehoe: There are five plaintiffs.