Results 4,821-4,840 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for the question. I am fully committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military installations throughout the country. This year some €28 million was allocated towards the maintenance and development of new building projects for the Defence Forces. This represents an increase of over €10 million...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for his question. The military authorities have advised me that, as at 30 November 2019, 605 personnel had been inducted into the Defence Forces and ten serving soldiers were awarded a cadetship. At that date, 793 personnel had exited the organisation. They further advised that, as at 30 November 2019, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force whole-time equivalent...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The most important issue from me as Minister of State is the safety of all of our personnel, no matter what service they carry out. I have never disputed that we have retention issues. Contrary to the remarks of the Deputy we do have retention policies. I have stated here with regard to the independent pay commission report that PDFORRA and RACO recently accepted its recommendations. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy mentioned the air ambulance. I stated this was an issue with regard to safety and we were cutting the service for a number of days for November, December and January-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: -----but it will be back up and running from 1 March.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I met Naval Service personnel last week to look at the ongoing challenges we have in the Naval Service. I have stated the number one priority for me as Minister of State is the safety of our personnel. I do not want a situation where there is an incident because of the lack of personnel in a specific area. I hope the Deputy will agree with me on this. I will not back away or shy away and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Naval Service tax credit will be worth €1,270 per annum to individuals who spend more than 80 days at sea.

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

Paul Kehoe: I am informed that extensive consideration is ongoing in the area of telemedicine and telementalhealth in the Defence Forces. Telemedicine is currently being trialled on a Defence Forces overseas deployment in the emergency medicine field under the auspices of MEDICO Cork, which is the HSE's national 24 Hour telemedical support unit. Telemental health is widely used within other...

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

Paul Kehoe: Arising from the first report of the Commission in 2017 and the subsequent Public Service Stability Agreement, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination and analysis of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was accepted by...

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

Paul Kehoe: The Government appreciates the service of the members of the RDF and recognises the important role that the three elements of the RDF play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and it is currently on a development path arising from the recommendations of the White Paper. The...

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

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 73 together. The provision of schools and associated issues is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. The lands in the area of the Defence Forces Training Centre form part of the Curragh Plains, a site unique in terms of its archaeological, environmental, historical and cultural heritage. As custodian...

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...