Results 7,701-7,720 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Question Nos. 34, 53, 54 and 60 together. As I outlined earlier, the College of Commissioners adopted the European defence action plan on 30 November last. The aim of the plan is to explore how EU policies and instruments can ensure the EU's industrial and skills base will be able to deliver required defence capabilities in view of current and future security challenges....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Let me assure the Deputy that at every opportunity I reaffirm Ireland's position and policy on neutrality. The proposals in the action plan fully respect the EU treaties and the Lisbon protocols and they pose no challenge to Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Therefore, there is no requirement for me to reconfirm Ireland's neutrality to my European counterparts at this...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I can assure the Deputy that we will consider every part of the Commission's proposal. There must be savings when one pools resources and it would be only right and proper that we consider all of the proposals. There are opportunities here for Ireland. We are living in a society in which circumstances change at a rapid pace and we must be able to keep up to date on all equipment and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I do not agree with the Deputy's accusation. I repeat that we will maintain our traditional policy of military neutrality in whatever decision we make here. The Government will consider each of the proposals that have been put forward in a very serious manner. There is potential here for Ireland so we must consider each of the proposals seriously. Society is changing at a rapid pace and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It encompasses the Government’s policy on defence of the State from armed aggression, the defence contribution to domestic security, the defence contribution to international peace and security and a broad range of other “non-security” roles which the Government requires the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As I outlined in my reply, there is a civil and military side to the implementation of the White Paper. I get regular updates from that group, which meets regularly. I will be happy to attend a meeting of the committee at any stage regarding the action plans. However, developments on the White Paper and the actions that are taken and delivered on will be reported in the annual review of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I have no problem with updating the committee in the second quarter of next year on the implementation of the White Paper. As the Deputy understands, this is an important document for the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the future. A great deal of work went into the White Paper and I would be delighted to do what the Deputy asked. I, the Department and the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 40 and 44 in the names of Deputy Clare Daly, Deputy Lawless and Deputy Clare Daly, respectively.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 40 and 44 together. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the siege of Jadotville, I decided to issue a unit citation to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion. My Department organised and hosted a ceremony in Custume Barracks, Athlone, on Saturday, 17 September 2016, at which a unit citation...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I wish to state that the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann put their lives on the line every day of every week, 24-7, when they go on peacekeeping duties, be it with UNDOF, UNIFIL or many of the other missions we have scattered across the world. I took a personal interest in this matter when I was appointed Minister of State because I saw the human side of it when I was...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Can I conclude?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: After my appointment, this was one of the first issues which I wanted to recognise. I have looked at this case upside down, inside out and every way possible. I recognise this is a complex situation, as Deputy James Lawless pointed out. There are rules and regulations around the presentation of medals and who receives them. There have to be regulations. When one sees the movie, "The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Following a Government decision on 12 May 2015, three Naval Service vessels,LE Eithne, LE Niamhand LE Samuel Beckett, were deployed to the Mediterranean between May and November 2015 to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. During that period, 8,592 people were rescued in the Mediterranean by Irish Naval Service vessels. On 6 April 2016, the Government approved the return...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: There are several policy issues around Ireland being part of the full Operation Sophia. Ireland’s response to the humanitarian effort in the Mediterranean in 2015 and 2016 was effective, however. I am not sure if the Deputy saw the programme "The Crossing" last night on television. It was excellent coverage of the work of the Naval Service in the Mediterranean. There were some...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: If we were to participate in the full mission, a number of caveats would be involved. The naval operation against human smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia, is one element of the comprehensive EU response to the crisis. The EU operation was launched at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 June 2015. Its mission is to identify, capture and dispose of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I congratulate the Irish Defence Forces, which include the Air Corps, the Army and the Naval Service. on receiving the European Movement award yesterday in Dublin. The award was presented by the Taoiseach to the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Aircraft (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence 2015 provides for the establishment of a new fixed cycle of defence reviews. These reviews will take the form of a White Paper update every three years and a strategic defence review every six years. The first White Paper update will commence in the third quarter of 2018, with the first strategic defence review commencing in early 2021. Our policy on neutrality...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Aircraft (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of aid to the civil power. In practice, this means that the Defence Forces assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Since 2003, the Garda has requested support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport on occasion. The issues of overflights by foreign military aircraft and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Aircraft (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 the carriage of weapons through Shannon Airport on commercial aircraft is prohibited unless an exemption has been obtained in advance from my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The carriage of personal weapons by foreign military personnel travelling on chartered aircraft...

Topical Issue Debate: Civil Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in this specific area. He has had much interaction with me on it. Civil Defence is a volunteer-based organisation which supports the front-line emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and local authorities throughout Ireland. As Minister of State with responsibility for defence, one of my functions is to provide...