Results 8,401-8,420 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I am engaged in continuous negotiations with PDFORRA specifically on that issue. On facilitating a return of ex-service members and particularly officers to the Defence Forces, I have directed both the Secretary General of my Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to carry out a scoping exercise and return to me with some proposal that has been negotiated with the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: My understanding is there are two such applications, one of which is in the Air Corps. My understanding is that it is from a pilot. The other is in the Army where there is a specific need in the context of EODS. As I mentioned, there are various elements to be considered in devising arrangements for re-engagement. I have instructed both the Secretary General of my Department and the Chief...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluating the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh. Also, the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to developing this Institute. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There are currently three schools located within the Curragh Camp - the Curragh Post Primary School, the Curragh Boys National School and the Curragh Girls National School. The Department of Education and Skills has a range of responsibilities including the provision of primary and secondary education to children throughout the State. The schools located in the Curragh Camp are non-fee...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: An additional payment in respect of personnel who deployed to the humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean on Operation Pontus was agreed through the Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force by PDFORRA, the Representative Association for enlisted personnel. This payment was subsequently authorised by the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: On 26 April 2017, while representing Ireland at an informal meeting of Defence Ministers in Malta, I was delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with the UN Under Secretary General (UN/USG), Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix. While this was an introductory meeting, a comprehensive range of issues in relation to peacekeeping operations were discussed. I also took the opportunity to brief him on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: My Government colleagues and I recognise the important role that the Reserve Defence Force has played in contributing to Ireland’s defence capability, and we recognise the voluntary service which has been the hallmark of the Reserve. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve and the White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It also considers the defence capabilities required so that the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by Government. In this context, the White Paper on Defence also highlights a number of medium and long term strategies in the area of manpower planning. The White Paper addresses...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Regulations (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The procurement of goods and services by the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with public procurement policy and national and European Union law. Procurement procedures in the Defence Forces are kept under constant review to ensure they are in line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework. A wide range of non-capital goods and services are procured directly by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Question No 49 and 64 together. On 11 April 2017, the Government approved the return of a Naval vessel to the Mediterranean to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks.  The Government decision provided that the deployment is subject to finalisation of a bilateral arrangement with the Italian authorities in relation to the operation of the mission and the landing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence (2015) outlines the fact that Defence Forces’ capabilities are primarily developed for security purposes and this remains the key capability driver. In this context, the White Paper sets out the investment priorities for the Air Corps. A unique feature of Ireland’s defence policy is the extent to which these capabilities are used towards other ends....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 60, 62 and 71 together. The primary focus for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces to fulfil the roles as assigned by Government. This includes undertaking overseas Peace Support Operations, and in this regard to afford the greatest possible force protection to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The current strength of Defence Force personnel at Custume barracks, Athlone on 15 May, 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, was 886 personnel across all ranks. The re-organisation in 2013 did not significantly alter the actual number of PDF personnel serving in Custume Barracks, Athlone. In accordance with the revised organisational structures, as of 30 November 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I will be attending the formal Council of Foreign Affairs with Defence Ministers (FAC Defence) scheduled to take place on the 18th May, 2017, in Brussels. The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board in Defence Ministers format. This session will primarily focus on the long term review of the EDA, implementation of key taskings and next...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement, or indeed any other scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection. I am, therefore, not aware of the eligibility of individual members of the Permanent Defence Force to receive such allowances, or the total numbers of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I attended the recent informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Valetta, Malta, which took place on 26th and 27th April 2017. This was an informal meeting and as such no decisions are taken on any matter. On 26 April, Ministers received a briefing from Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino on 'Operation Sophia', which is the EU naval operation against human smugglers and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: In 2012, a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces took place which resulted in the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units. As a result of the re-organisation, the operational capacity of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation EUNAVFOR MED (Operation Sophia), against human smugglers and traffickers, is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean. The mission is also providing capacity building and training to the Libyan Coastguard and Navy and contributing to the implementation of UN Security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: In December 2016 I met with representatives of the Irish United Nations Veterans (IUNVA) and discussed the future use of Columb Barracks with them. As the Deputy may be aware in 2014, IUNVA were provided with accommodation within the Barracks specifically for the purpose of holding meetings of the local Mullingar Branch. This premises occupied by IUNVA is not suitable for residential...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There are a number of elements to the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. I am arranging for the elements of the correspondence which relate to previous protected disclosures concerning health and safety issues in the Air Corps to be sent to the independent third party I appointed last year to review those allegations. Legal advice has recently been received in respect of the...