Results 10,261-10,280 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I do not want to be flippant with the Deputy, but I will take his points back to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney. I know the Deputy is very passionate about this, and I understand that he has his concerns. I will pass them on. The involvement of members of the Defence Forces here is confined to ATCP. We are not involved in policy or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As outlined in the Government's White Paper on Defence 2015, the issue of cybersecurity has very significant implications for governmental administration, industry, economic well-being and the security and safety of citizens. Cybersecurity is a standing item on the agenda of the Government task force on emergency planning which I chair. The response to cyber threats remains a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I must admit I have not seen the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General so I cannot comment on its contents. In budget 2018 additional funding was secured for additional personnel and technology in the national cybersecurity centre. A significant programme of recruitment will commence shortly. I take on board the Deputy's points but this is a whole-of-Government approach led by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: There is proper accountability at present in the Department of the Minister, Deputy Naughten. The question raised by the Deputy about the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General would be more appropriately addressed to the Minister, Deputy Naughten. Within the Defence Forces on the security side, we have people dedicated to working on cybersecurity. It would be a matter for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is, understandably, a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Defence Forces have always had a level of turnover that exceeds other areas of the public service. To balance personnel turnover, there is ongoing recruitment at enlisted and officer level. This includes general...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I am not sure if the Deputy heard but I have recognised the challenges facing the Defence Forces on various occasions recently. We are going through a process. As I stated in my original reply, under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, PSSA, anybody with a salary of under €70,000 will have his or her salary restored to pre-FEMPI levels by 2020. The work of the Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I announced this morning that the contingents will return home on Tuesday, 16 October. I took the decision this morning that personnel delayed in returning home will receive a €1,000ex gratia payment in recognition of the disruption caused. I announced that in recognition of what the families are going through. This was done before the Deputy raised the issue. I have spoken to some...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 55, 62, 64 and 65 together. The current whole-time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force for the end of September is estimated at just over 9,000 personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence 2015. In order to achieve...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: On Deputy Smith's point about pay and conditions, I accept we have challenges in the Defence Forces, which I have highlighted at every given opportunity. I look forward to the outcome of the Public Service Pay Commission's deliberations. A number of processes are continuing under the PSSA, including pay restoration. The Defence Forces and civil and military management have also made a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 58 and 74 together. I am aware of the views expressed and the issues raised in relation to the Parade which took place on 19 September 2018. I note in particular the call for the restoration of pay. As you are aware, similar to other areas of the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are fully aware of the importance of providing he robust supports required by personnel for whatever reason. A range of medical and non-medical services are available to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Since its establishment in 1974, UNDOF has been a successful mission in supporting the efforts of the international community both in the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region. A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) since 2013. Following significant events in August 2014 in the area of separation,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 01 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 353 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 128 personnel and the Naval Service EU Naval Mission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 68 and 70 together. As I have already stated, my priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Appropriate investment in Defence capabilities is an essential component of a coherent defence policy. It is necessary to invest in equipment and infrastructure as well as personnel. In this context, approximately 72% of the Defence Vote 36 budget relates to pay and pensions and the balance relates to current expenditure for running costs and capital expenditure. An increase in the pay...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 73 together. My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As I have previously informed the House, a Government Decision dated 18 November 2016 approved the drafting of the Heads of Bill to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. This will remove the blanket exclusion of An Garda Síochána and members of the Defence Forces from its range and will be subject to the application of the appropriate exclusions and/or derogations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The 2015 White Paper on Defence commits to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. The whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force for the end of September is estimated at 9,000 personnel which includes the 95th Cadet Class of 85 recruits which was inducted on the 24th...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel). The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 1 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria and EU Naval Mission EUNAVFORMED (Operation Sophia). An additional deployment of...