Results 7,441-7,460 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Other Questions: Naval Service Operations (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 48 together. LE James Joycewas deployed on 8 July 2016 to assist the Italian authorities in the continuing search and rescue humanitarian operation in the Mediterranean Sea. Since deployment, LE James Joycehas conducted a number of search and rescue operations which, to date, has led to the rescue of 2,678 migrants from unseaworthy craft. LE...

Other Questions: Naval Service Operations (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I, too, would like to congratulate all members of the Naval Service for their work since the first deployment. I had the privilege of visiting the crew members of the LE James Joycelast month to witness at first hand the work they carry out on an ongoing basis. The Deputy spoke about the very difficult situations faced by the Naval Service. The week before my visit to the LE James Joyce,...

Other Questions: European Defence Capabilities (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The statement by the Commission President is not something new. He has made similar statements in the past.  However, these are matters for the EU member states to decide together and do not fall within the competence of the European Commission. Proposals have been around for some time that the EU should establish a joint operational headquarters to support the planning and conduct of...

Other Questions: European Defence Capabilities (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Let me repeat to the Deputy what I said in my original reply: the Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army or conscription of any military formation. Any change to this position would require a treaty change. Let me state absolutely that no change is proposed in any manner or means. As I said in my original statement on the President of the European Commission,...

Other Questions: European Defence Capabilities (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: All member states of the European Union understand Ireland's position on neutrality. As is stated in the White Paper, "Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements". I know that the Deputy might have concerns about the comments made by Mr....

Other Questions: Military Neutrality (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Dáil and Government business has precluded my attendance at the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Bratislava which started yesterday, 26 September, and continued into this afternoon. Accordingly, the Minister for Defence is being represented by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence. This is an informal meeting and, as such, no decisions are being taken on any...

Other Questions: Military Neutrality (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I tried to change the date of parliamentary questions to the Minister for Defence from today in order to be able to attend the meeting in Bratislava. Unfortunately, I was told a motion would have to be tabled in the House to change the date of parliamentary questions. The Dáil was not sitting during the summer months when I realised I would to have to answer parliamentary questions on...

Other Questions: Military Neutrality (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy will be well aware that there has been a proposal for some time now that the European Union should establish a joint operational headquarters to support the planning and conduct of its civil and military operations. A permanent joint civil and military operational headquarters appropriately configured could potentially deliver more effective and responsive Common Security and...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The independent monitoring group, IMG, was established in May 2002 to oversee the implementation of recommendations arising from a report on the interpersonal relationships within the Defence Forces. The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, and the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Association, PDFORRA, are both represented on the IMG. The third and most...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The report has not been on my desk in June. I did not receive a copy until mid to late July. On my appointment, I met representatives of PDFORRA and RACO who asked me to provide them with a copy prior to publication. I indicated I would do so and I will give them a copy of the report tomorrow prior to the presentation on Thursday in the University of Limerick. I will publish the report in...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I tried to publish the report at the end of July but unfortunately the staff of the University of Limerick who carried out the review were not available at the time. I wanted those who were at the coalface and carried out the review to be present. I did not want other staff from the university to join me in giving the presentation to RACO and PDFORRA. I wanted those who produced the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: It does not matter.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The most important issue will be to address the detail of the document and make the changes it recommends. It will not make much of a difference if the document is provided 24 or 48 hours in advance. I will meet representatives of PDFORRA and RACO after the document is published and we will go through it in detail. I met both representative organisations in late June or early July and they...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Training (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Range No. 3 is a rifle range within the Curragh Camp and since March 2016 the Defence Forces have resumed training on this range. This has resulted in the occasional temporary closure by the Defence Forces of the Hollow Road. The temporary road closures are required as part of strict control and safety measures put in place by the Defence Forces to ensure public safety during the firing of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Training (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The occasional temporary road closures at the Hollow Road by the Defence Forces are in accordance with the provisions of section 274 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended. This provides the Defence Forces with the powers to temporarily stop all traffic in the vicinity of any place used for artillery or rifle practice. I take on board the point made by the Deputy and I will bring it to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Funding (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Such grandstanding has not been witnessed for some time.

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Regulation (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising this very important issue. I am glad he did not use that language because I would be very sensitive towards any language like that. Introducing measures to address the rising cost of motor insurance is a high priority for Government. The working group on the cost of insurance, chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Regulation (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I understand the Deputy's frustration. Many, if not all, Deputies across the House are frustrated with the rising cost of motor insurance. Not a day goes by without someone mentioning the rising cost of motor insurance to me and particularly people involved in the haulage business. County Wexford is heavily reliant on the haulage business, as I am sure is the case in County Tipperary and in...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Regulation (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: -----and is working with all of the relevant stakeholders, Departments and offices to identify immediate and long term measures that can address the rising cost of insurance. Consultation with the relevant stakeholders is ongoing. The working group looks forward to receiving the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the Taoiseach on this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission together with NATO’s Secretary General, made a joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation on 8 July 2016. The EU and NATO have a long track record of cooperation which has comprised political consultations and practical cooperation on crisis management operations. This includes operations undertaken by both NATO and the...