Results 11,561-11,580 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am thankful for the opportunity to appear before the House this evening to discuss matters of the Defence Forces with Members. I had requested some time to discuss the Public Service Pay Commission report of recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force following its publication last week. I will comment on the main aspects of the report and outline the ongoing efforts to...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I will have that circulated. It might not be this evening but I will have it emailed to all Members tomorrow.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I thank Senators for their contributions to this very important debate. I welcome the publication of the report of the Public Service Pay Commission, which provides an independent assessment of recruitment and retention issues. The report was accepted by all members of the Government last week. It recommends a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I did not interrupt the Senator. I ask him to have some manners and to listen to me as I listened to him.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The mathematics of what the Senator would give a total of €3 million but the package of measures amounts to €10 million. There is €7 million left over, which goes to increases in allowances such as 10% in the MSA, which equates to between €602 and €675 for members up to the rank of colonel. There will be a restoration of allowances which were cut under the...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: If I was in the Senator's position I would have done the very same thing.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Senator should call himself "Senator Negative Craughwell". He also spoke about the Naval Service and I have stated on numerous occasions that we have challenges in that area but there have been increases there as well. The Naval Service has huge technical expertise that we will look at in the context of the report. During a speech at the Naval Service the other day, I said that tech...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Senator also failed to mention the restoration of the pilot service commitment.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I will give him a full briefing on what is in it.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: A review of pay structures within the Defence Forces is also a matter of priority. Senator Craughwell also jumped up and down for years about adjudications. Separate from the recommendations of the pay commission, I am pleased to announce that, following discussions I and my officials held with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, we have decided to pay increases under certain...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Cooks with the relevant qualifications will go to the tech 2 and tech 3 pay levels with an increase of €26.90, taking it up to €40.42 per week. An account holder will receive €65.80 per week, which they are not receiving at the moment. Recruits and apprentices will no longer be charged for rations and accommodation, giving a saving to them, individually, of...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Another example is the most interesting one. Senator Craughwell asked if the assistant secretary in the Department, Mr. Mooney, had ever been on an installation. I understand that the Senator met him last week.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am delighted that the Senator acknowledges that he met him and that he knows him.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Senator spoke to him. I would have been delighted if he had mentioned that in his opening remarks. However, he almost said this was a black stranger who appears only at night.

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I will be fair to the man. He has visited installations and he does interact, but his most important job is dealing with the representative associations, PDFORRA and RACO, which he has done on numerous occasions. Last Thursday, he was at a full briefing by the Public Service Pay Commission to both representative associations. The Senator should acknowledge these things and he should make...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am aware that Senator McFadden spoke to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, about the working family payment today. People are on the working family payment for specific reasons, related to their own and their family's circumstances. It is for a person recruited aged 22 or 23 who has two or three children.It is for all members of the private...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I constantly restate Ireland's policy position on neutrality and ensure that it is reflected in European policy, which respects every country's position. I will continue to do this. The Senator spoke about the new President-elect of the European Commission, Ms von der Leyen, who has recently been appointed. I know her well. She is a former defence Minister. If there is to be a European...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The high-level implementation plan sets clear timelines and objectives aimed at implementing the recommendations in the report by the Public Service Pay Commission. I have acknowledged that it will take time for the Defence Forces to reach full strength. We have a huge amount of challenges ahead. The implementation of the recommendations contained in the report by the Public Service Pay...

Seanad: Defence Matters: Statements (9 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have answered the question asked by the Senator.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Shareholdings (10 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: There are no shares held in any entity in the name of the Minister for Defence or the Department of Defence.