Results 6,141-6,160 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces corps of engineers does not have specialist search teams at advanced search capability level. Advanced search personnel are capable of conducting hazardous environmental searches, working in confined spaces and operating in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environments. Participation by the Defence Forces in the project addresses the capability gap....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I note Deputy Ó Snodaigh's concerns about a European army but I have addressed that question in reply to other Deputies. Before members of the Defence Forces participate in any training overseas, we must ensure that we have the capability and capacity to respond to civil power requests. I have been advised by military management that our participation in the course will not prohibit us...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy McLoughlin reiterated the points I made to other Deputies about giving members of the Defence Forces enhanced capability, whether at home or abroad. The Deputy referred to the Defence Forces' domestic role. If we invite foreign dignitaries or Heads of State, such as British royalty, the Pope or the President or Vice President of the United States, they should come here aware that...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Barrett has strong views on this subject, which I absolutely respect. However, members of the Irish Defence Forces have been participating in EDA projects since 2005. I named a number of the projects they have participated in. They include: a force protection programme; a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection programme; counter-improvised explosives devices...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy has asked some technical questions on equipment. I will come back to him on those.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am not sure it will change the Deputy's mind on the vote. Will it?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: It is very important to have continuous training. On my recent visit to Mali, I saw a presentation on improvised explosives and the way the technical nature of those has changed over the years. It is very important for our personnel to be able to identify what type of explosive is being used, where it might be buried or laid and how to spot an anomaly in an area. I do not have the proper...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: A lot of these courses are run indoors. There might be a little bit outdoors but I am not sure of the extent. However, soldiers are not out in battle or anything. I assure the Deputy of that. There are 60 places on the course over the duration of the project. Perhaps a number of people could be on the first part of the course and there might be a more advanced part of the course in two...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I do not.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Is the question whether we will train gardaí?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: No, I do not expect that to happen. We are called in under the aid to the civil power protocol. That is what we were called in under for searches at Knock Airport. We were called in to search the Phoenix Park as an aid to the civil power to assist An Garda Síochána.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I do not want to open up another argument, but we are an observer in a PESCO project involving cyber affairs, with other countries that have the same military policy as us, but I will come back to the Chairman on the matter.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: It is another threat.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I know that the committee has been talking about visiting one of our missions. I go back to what Deputy Barrett said about peacekeeping. I can arrange for members to visit the Curragh Camp for a full briefing on our peacekeeping duties and the missions we carry out. The Minister can answer some of the technical questions concerning how peacekeeping has changed over many years and discuss...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Members of the Defence Forces are seconded to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in respect of cyber security which is a standing item on the agenda for meetings of the Government task force on emergency planning. Dr. Richard Brown from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment gives us regular updates. I do not believe the Defence Forces...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Some would agree with Deputy Jack Chambers, but others might not. We will agree to differ as it is all interlinked. Courses are continuing and there are desktop exercises in matters such as cyber security and cyber threats.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (7 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under attack....

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

Paul Kehoe: A total of €106 million has been allocated for 2019 for capital expenditure in Vote 36 Defence. This is in accordance with the National Development Plan, which provides for an overall capital allocation of €541m for Defence for the period 2018 to 2022. This capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (7 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength (Whole Time Equivalent) of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as on 31st December 2017 and 31st December 2018, were as set out below: - Army Air Corps Naval Service Total 31/12/2017 7,386 734 1,053 9,173 31/12/2018 7,243 725 989 8,957 The Government is committed to retaining a Permanent Defence Force with a strength of 9,500...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (7 Feb 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 248. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a jobseeker's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6069/19]