Results 6,521-6,540 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

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: 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...

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...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: If a member of the Defence Forces came to the Deputy complaining about the distance they had to travel, I would think the aim of the question would be about seeking a transfer. That is not prohibited by the Defence Forces regulations. Any member of the Defence Forces can go to a representative organisation such as PDFORRA and state their concerns. PDFORRA will then make a case with...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has raised this matter concerning overholders in the Curragh Camp with me before. Under Defence Forces regulations, personnel are obliged to vacate married quarters within a specified period of being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force. The term overholder is used to describe former members of the Defence Forces and their families who have refused to...

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: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I am not aware of the specific case which Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has outlined. If he furnishes me with the particular circumstances, I will bring it to the attention of the Department of Defence. He stated the family went to the HSE to report the conditions of the house. My understanding is the family would have assumed the accommodation was not fit for purpose so there must be other...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 14 together.

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: It is my understanding there was a misunderstanding and I apologise for it.

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: An Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, which in practice means assisting An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, which in practice means assisting An Garda Síochána where requested to do so. Security assessments are carried out by An Garda Síochána, which determines whether Defence Forces assistance is required. We only provide assistance. I am not sure what date the Deputy referred to with...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (18 Jun 2014)

Paul Kehoe: In 2013, some 324 Defence Forces security operations were completed at Shannon Airport compared to 381 in 2012 and 327 in 2011. I assure Deputy Daly these figures have not been massaged in any way. I am giving her the correct number of deployments from the Irish Defence Forces to aid An Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport.