Results 6,041-6,060 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Medals (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The might say that but I absolutely assure the Deputy the Government made a commitment that it would consider what the men of Jadotville went through at the time. The awarding of a Distinguished Service Medal is provided for in DFR A9, which also sets out the criteria for the award of such medals. It is important that to maintain the prestige of such medals, the criteria outlined are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The question I have from the Deputy is on pay.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As part of budget 2019, the Government has provided a funding envelope for Defence of €1.007 billion, an increase of €60 million, or 6.4%, over 2018. This emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the resources necessary to deliver on all roles assigned by Government, at home and overseas. The 2019 provision comprises...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: In accordance with the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission to conduct a comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams identified in the commission's report of May 2017. This includes the defence sector in module 2. In order to assist...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I did not contradict myself at all, I actually corrected the record. I know the Deputy is perfect and that is the way it is but I am not perfect and I corrected the record in parliamentary questions earlier this year when I said it went to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform advised the Deputy in a reply...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: It is a pity the Deputy was not around here 15 years ago when his party was absolutely running amok with the economy-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am not sure if the Deputy knows me well but there is one thing I will not do and that is shirk away from my responsibilities.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Maybe the Deputy will be able to learn that over a little bit of time. I did not in any way undermine the integrity of anybody. What I want from my side is to make sure that both military management and the Department make the best submission possible to the independent Public Service Pay Commission. As I have stated in my original reply, the Public Service Pay Commission has written to my...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Medals (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised by the military authorities that in general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas. Defence Forces Regulation, DFR, A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy is no doubt aware that section 16 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 sets out confidentiality requirements regarding the protection of the identify of a discloser. It is, therefore, not possible for me to go into detail regarding any actions being taken on foot of any individual disclosure to ensure that such individual's confidentiality is not breached. However,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy can be absolutely sure that I will not stand over any person being penalised for making a protected disclosure. That is stated clearly in the Act. As I stated in my original reply, if any person believes he or she is being penalised because he or she has made a protected disclosure, there are avenues he or she can take. If this person has not gone to the ombudsman, I would...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As I said, a range of mechanisms is available to members of the Defence Forces if they believe they have been penalised or wronged because they have made a protected disclosure. I will not stand over anybody being wronged. I encourage the person to whom the Deputy is referring to go to the Defence Forces ombudsman. He or she may have done so but I assure the Deputy that that case will be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (26 Feb 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. This engagement involves the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. As I have outlined previously, the UK's decision to leave...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Agency (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Ireland has been a participating member State in the European Defence Agency (EDA) since it was established in 2004. Since then, Ireland has participated in a range of EDA projects and programmes. These projects have included Maritime Surveillance, Force Protection, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protection, Cyber and Counter-Improvised Explosives Devices Manual...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The act of joining PESCO does not involve an additional cost to the Exchequer. Additional costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO projects similar to the case where the Defence Forces participate in European Defence Agency Projects. Ireland is currently participating in two PESCO projects - (1) The European Union Training Mission Competence Centre and (2) Upgrade of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Agency (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: In accordance with the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the Government and Dáil approval was received on 21st February 2019 for Ireland to participate in a European Defence Agency (EDA) project in relation to Military Search Capability Building. This Project will develop common processes, techniques and procedures for military search for participating Member States. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy may be aware, as the Minister for Defence, I am the custodian and guardian of the Curragh pursuant to the provisions of the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961. I mention this as it is important to bear in mind, as recognised in the aforementioned Act, that the Curragh Plains is a working environment as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. The Plains are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 40, 43 and 49 together. At the outset, I want to reassure the Deputies that there is no delay in referring Defence Forces personnel requiring immediate psychiatric care or assessment. Patients presenting to Defence Forces Primary Carers (Medical Officers or contracted civilian GPs), with a requirement for urgent psychiatric assessment are referred to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Veterans Associations Funding (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I recognise the valued public service given to the State by retired members of the Defence Forces. Officials from my Department and I hold regular meetings with three Veterans’ Associations, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO). The Veterans’...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (26 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised by the military authorities that a report regarding eyesight standards required for Naval Service Reserve recruits has been submitted by the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service (FOCNS) to the General Staff and the findings of this report will be considered in due course. The origins of the current report date from 2018 when the Naval Service undertook to examine the...