Results 12,201-12,220 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Operations (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Irish Aviation Authority has statutory responsibility under the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 for the regulation of Civilian Aviation in Ireland. This includes remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or, as they are more commonly known, Drones. In Ireland, no drones are permitted to fly within 5km of an airport. The Air Corps monitors developments in drones and Remotely Piloted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I understand that your question relates to the NATO Summit of July 2018 which took place in Brussels, Belgium at which it was proposed that the NATO members who are also EU Member States should give consideration to increasing their defence spending to the NATO target of 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It should be noted that the commitment sought applies to NATO Allies only. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The day-to-day tasking of personnel in the Defence Forces is a matter for the military authorities. I can assure the Deputy that the health and safety of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a priority for myself and the Chief of Staff. The Working Time Directive has been transposed into national legislation by way of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 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, including overseas deployments. As I outlined to the House in response to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 7 November...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Capabilities (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The European Defence Fund is a new financial mechanism designed to enable and accelerate cooperation among Member States to better coordinate, supplement and amplify national investments in defence. Through the co-funded European Defence Fund, Member States will be able to achieve greater output and develop defence technology and equipment that may not be feasible on their own, by pooling...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Ireland's Policy for international development 'A Better World' is a whole of government policy which was launched by the Tánaiste in February, 2019. It provides the framework for Ireland’s expanding development cooperation programme, outlining Ireland’s vision of a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world. Ireland's policy on international security and defence operates...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Transport (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Ministerial Air Transport Service provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. Requests for the use of the service are made to the Taoiseach’s office where they are examined with regard to the need and purpose of travel. Once approved all operational matters are settled...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: In relation to Operation Sophia, the Irish Naval Service has not deployed Naval Service vessels to this mission since November 2018. Defence Forces personnel continue to occupy three posts in the Operational Headquarters of the Operation Sophia mission in Rome. The EU Naval Mission, Operation Sophia, is primarily a security operation, designed to disrupt the traffickers business model...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As I have outlined on a number of occasions, there are no plans to make any changes to the barracks infrastructure of the Defence Forces. The White Paper on Defence, published in 2015, comprehensively deals with all aspects of defence policy and was informed by a wide ranging consultation process, and it makes no provision for any changes to the current barracks infrastructure. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (whole time equivalent) at 30th November 2019, was 8,751 personnel, comprised of: Army - 7,071 Air Corps - 733 Naval Service - 947 I am very much aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment and I remain committed to restoring the strength...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Government policy over the last eight years has led to strong economic growth and a buoyant labour market. This is to be welcomed. The Government has acknowledged that there are recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence Forces. This is a feature of the highly competitive jobs market and is particularly impacting on specialist such as pilots. This is also being experienced by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 86 together. In order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by Government, I am committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military installations throughout the country. The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme is compiled on a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force was accepted in full by Government. A comprehensive implementation plan entitled "Strengthening our Defence Forces Phase One " was also published by Government. The PSPC report recommended a range of measures that would result in immediate and future benefits for members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Three written disclosures were made, in November and December 2015 and January 2016, under the provisions of section 8 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, relating to alleged failings in the Defence Organisation in the area of Health and Safety. Legal advice was sought on how best to progress certain disclosures as elements related to matters which are the subject of the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures Data (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: There have been a total of 22 Protected Disclosures made between 2014 and 2018 with an additional 4 received to date in 2019. This figure relates to all Protected Disclosures which have made been made both to the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. These Protected Disclosures were submitted by serving individuals and also by individuals who were retired from the organisation at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As a committed EU Member State, Ireland supports fully the efforts of EU Member States to improve the Union's capacity to respond to the prevailing challenging security environment, including in the area of defence. The establishment of PESCO in December 2017 represented a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under the EU’s Common...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The information requested by the Deputy, namely the number of persons by gender in both the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, in each of the years 2010 to date in 2019, is currently being compiled by the Military Authorities and I hope to provide a response in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of the 26 November 2019. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the request in question has been released to the individual's solicitors by registered post on 9 December 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I would refer the Deputy in this regard to Defence Forces Regulation (DFR) A7 paragraphs 16-23. Of particular note in this instance is Para 20D which states: "Where it comes to the notice of Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) that a member of the Permanent Defence Forces is engaged in off-duty employment which is likely to prove detrimental or prejudicial to the best interests of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am informed by the military authorities that, in general, when communicating with civilian general practitioners and/or hospitals in respect of serving officers' medical files and or medical history, a letter is drafted to the appropriate medical practitioner.  This letter is then posted to that medical practitioner. On occasion, where no reply has been received, the Air Corps Medical...