Results 5,121-5,140 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Preparations (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As I have said previously, the outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union, including in the area of defence. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement with the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force across all services, at 30th September 2019, was 8,654 personnel. Whilst I am very much aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment I remain committed to restoring the strength of the Defence Forces to 9,500. I am also fully aware of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Preparations (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK's decision to leave the European Union. The Brexit Omnibus Act 2019, and the publication of the Brexit Contingency Action Plan Update last July, reflects the extensive work which has taken place at EU level and on a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Partnership for Peace (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Ireland’s relations with NATO are set within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and Partnership for Peace. The primary aim of Ireland's Partnership for Peace participation is to enhance the Defence Forces’ interoperability with other professional military forces for the purpose of engaging in UN authorised peacekeeping and peace support operations led by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. In this context, I would highlight the security role of the Naval Service, a role which by its nature can go unrecognised or unacknowledged. I am advised that the fleet is managed to ensure maximum availability to meet operational requirements. In that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Preparations (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, comprehensively deals with all aspects of defence policy and was informed by a wide-ranging consultation process. Retention of the Army's two brigade structure is among the commitments outlined in the White Paper. The two-brigade Army structure along with certain barrack closures has seen the consolidation of understrength...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 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 priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (whole time equivalent), across all services, at 30th September 2019, was 8,654 personnel. Whilst I am very much aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment I remain committed to restoring the strength of the Defence Forces to 9,500. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 32 together. In light of particular recruitment and retention difficulties in Defence Sector, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission to undertake a comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force. The Commission’s Report, on recruitment and retention...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Preparations (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK's decision to leave the European Union. The Brexit Omnibus Act 2019, and the publication of the Brexit Contingency Action Plan Update last July, reflects the extensive work which has taken place at EU level and on a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Issues (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: On 10 September, the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the establishment of a new Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space. Space is being reassigned from DG GROW to the new Directorate. The responsibilities of the new Directorate in relation to space will be, first, to foster an innovative space industry in the EU and second, to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Schools Site Acquisitions (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together. The Department of Education and Skills has written to my Department enquiring as to the availability of a suitable site for the provision of a post-primary school from within the Department's property portfolio in South Kildare. As the Curragh contains an operational military installation, officials from the Department have requested...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Government ensures that Vote 36 (Defence) is fully funded to provide for the pay and allowances of the target strength of 9,500 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Over the past five years, less than 0.1% of Defence Sector funding has remained unspent. Savings arising on subheads, including pay subheads, have with the approval of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Budget 2020 (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The gross allocation provided to the Defence Sector in Budget 2020 is €1,039.5 million, comprising of €780.4 million for Defence (Vote 36) and €259.1 million for Army Pensions (Vote 35). This significant level of funding emphasises the importance attached by this Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fully resourced to deliver on all the roles assigned to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Bomb Disposals Data (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: For reasons of operational security, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the disposition and specifics of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal capabilities. As I have previously outlined, there are a wide range of recruitment and retention initiatives underway for Permanent Defence Force personnel.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 to 38, inclusive, together. The table below illustrates the extent to which the numbers in the Defence Forces have fluctuated in the past three years: Year Army Air Corps Naval Service Total PDF Strength (WTE) Army Reserve Naval Reserve Total AR and NSR Strength (Effective) ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (7 Nov 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. The allocation of over €1 billion for the Defence Sector for 2020, an increase of €32.3m on 2019, emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 42, inclusive, together. The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training and education under four broad categories namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Training (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets out a blueprint for the development Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and that their primary role is to support the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations. As such, the RDF undertakes training in preparation to assist the PDF when required. Training across the Defence Forces is constantly measured against best military and academic practice. Training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Strength (7 Nov 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. I am advised that the fleet is managed to ensure maximum availability to meet operational requirements. In that context, there is always a sub set of Naval Service vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time. The personnel...