Results 7,521-7,540 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency: Motion (3 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: In commending the motion to the select committee, I will briefly outline the function of the European Defence Agency, EDA, and the background to the programmes in which Ireland wishes to participate. The EDA was established by a joint action of the Council of the European Union in 2004, "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency: Motion (3 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I will deal with the last questions first. Denmark is constitutionally debarred from participating. I assure Deputy O'Sullivan that Ireland's traditional policy on military neutrality is completely unaffected by the Treaty on European Union as amended by the Lisbon treaty. We are not and will not become, as a result of the treaty, part of any alliance or military formation. Legally...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency: Motion (3 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I wish to confirm that the EU and NATO declaration confirms that future co-operation will fully respect the decision-making autonomy of both organisations. It will not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of any member state. We partake in the maritime security strategy, but we are protected by our own treaty and the triple lock arrangement. It is not often...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency: Motion (3 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I absolutely respect the concerns and viewpoints of the Chairman and members although mine might differ from theirs but that is the best thing about a parliament, we all have different viewpoints. If we do compromise or if there is any impact on our neutrality, there is the opt-out clause. The Deputy says we should work with like-minded countries that are not aligned with NATO but our...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: 222. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason time on a VTOS course is not counted towards the qualifying period for the fuel allowance and the Christmas bonus; his plans to alter the requirements where some persons on the same course are receiving the benefits and others are not, depending on their days claiming before commencing the course; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Lottery Funding Applications (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: My Department is not in receipt of funding from the National Lottery from which support can be provided for the work of community groups.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Promotions (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: A proposal for the up-ranking of a particular appointment in the Naval Service and the case for and the implications thereof is currently being considered by the Department. No decision has yet been made in this regard. The CS4 represents the Employment Control Framework for the Defence Forces, and any amendment thereto will also require engagement with the Department of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: A Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Members of the Permanent Defence Force exists within my Department. The purpose of the scheme is to provide means for discussion and negotiation with members of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Association (PDFORRA). CCR (Conciliation Council Report) 295 and CCR...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel which will be enabled for helicopter operations and will also have a freight carrying capacity. It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Events (8 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: To mark the occasion of the 55thanniversary of the Siege of Jadotville, I had my Department organise and host a ceremony in Custume Barracks, Athlone on Saturday 17 thSeptember 2016 to mark the collective actions of the men of “A” Company, 35 thInfantry battalion and its attachments. A Unit Citation was presented to the Company in recognition of their collective heroism and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I join the Deputy in offering my condolences to the family of Colonel Frank Lawless on their recent bereavement. I had the opportunity to sympathise with his wife and two children recently. He is a huge loss to the Defence Forces, particularly the training college at the Curragh where he played a very important role as director. The independent monitoring group was established in May 2002...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Establishment of the focus groups is a matter for the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, with whom I have engaged in some consultation. I have asked him to revert to me with a plan and profile of the timelines for the focus groups. It is important to recognise that it was very courageous and forward looking of the Defence Forces to take the initiative of conducting a climate survey and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy is correct in pointing out that many initiatives taken by the Defence Forces are cost neutral. The Defence Forces have introduced a number of initiatives to improve family life for personnel, for example. Probably one of the biggest is the rotation of personnel abroad where they can do a three-month tour of duty instead of a six-month tour. That was one of the initiatives to help...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: On 18 February 2013, at the request of the Malian authorities and in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 (2012), the European Union launched a training mission for Malian armed forces named EUTM Mali. The objective of the mission is to train and mentor the Malian armed forces to improve their military capacity and their effectiveness in guaranteeing the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: We will monitor on an ongoing basis whether there is to be any increase in personnel. If it is to be increased, I will, of course, inform the Deputy. The strategic review of the EUTM Mali mission was completed earlier this year. Following the review, the Council of the European Union approved EUTM Mali's third mandate in March 2016, which adopted the existing mandate and extended it by a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Our continued participation in this mission supports Ireland's ongoing obligations to international peace and security and the commitment to maintaining the Defence Forces' capabilities in international operations. I take the Deputy's views on board and I will keep him and the House informed if we are to increase membership.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy is aware, the Curragh Plains Representative Forum was established to enable key stakeholders of the Curragh Plains to meet and contribute to the ongoing management, protection and future development of the plains. Membership of the forum, which is chaired by the Department of Defence, includes representatives from the Defence Forces, an Garda Síochána, the Curragh...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Illegal camping and dumping were very high on the agenda. The Deputy has raised the issues with me previously as has Deputy Heydon. I have asked that the forum would specifically look into these ongoing problems on the Curragh plains. The Deputy spoke about the horseracing sector and horses being ridden out on the Curragh Plains. I am not sure if that was discussed at the last meeting,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I would be very careful about recommending that the plains be designated as an NHA because we need to avoid over-regulation of the Curragh Plains which is a recreational area where people can enjoy themselves. There is potential for a number of quick wins that do not cost any money by updating the by-laws where necessary for the protection of the Curragh, putting in place processes for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised that former Ministers for Defence have met representatives of the group previously. Mr. Alan Shatter met representatives of the group on 26 May 2011 and on 3 February 2012. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, met representatives of the group on 14 January, 2016. In late June 2016, I indicated to the group that I am open to meeting it. The group responded indicating that prior to...