Results 6,241-6,260 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy spoke about the representative associations. It is important for me, as Minister of State, to listen to the representative associations. When we are formulating policy, it is important that we listen to them and everyone else, including members of the Opposition and spokespersons from other parties. The White Paper on Defence had a wide range of contributors, which is the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: -----and it is important that we do that. The advice of the Attorney General expressly indicated the SOFA agreements could not legally apply in Ireland as foreign militaries could not be based in Ireland due to the provisions of Article 15.6.2o of the Constitution. The advice allowed for Article 15.6.2o to be interpreted in such a way that SOFAs could apply in Ireland in certain cases such...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: He may not have used the word "simple" but he asked why it cannot continue. We will not be able to participate in the German battle group in 2020 unless we have the SOFAs in place.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As a matter of policy, Germany does not want any countries to participate in the battle group unless SOFAs are in place. That is one of its national policies. We have a national policy of not giving SOFAs to any transient or visiting member states. We can have that policy if we want. That is a policy we put in place, while Germany's policy is one it put in place.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: We do not dictate German policy; Germany dictates its own policy. I am not in a position to tell it or dictate to it otherwise. If we want to participate in the German battle group in 2020, we must have the SOFAs in place. It is important that I am open and transparent in bringing it through the Dáil. I am hiding nothing-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: -----and we will do it in an open and transparent manner.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (23 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: There are currently two full-time clinical psychologists employed by the Defence Forces. This number was increased following the review of mental health services for the Defence Forces in 2017, which recommended the appointment of a civilian psychologist in addition to the existing Defence Forces psychologist. There are no plans currently in place to recruit a third...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Jan 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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: My Department made an annual grant payment of €900,000 to the organisation referred to in 2018. This was an increase from €869,000 per year in the years from 2012 to 2017 and was agreed as part of a phased increase following receipt and examination of a detailed business case submitted by the organisation. The annual grant had been reduced from €951,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Staff (23 Jan 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 decision to exit from the European Union.  I am satisfied that the necessary arrangements are in place in my Department to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit, with...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme (23 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 237. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the anomaly for those making contributory pension applications that have no credited contributions while on farm assist in view of the fact they were paying S contributions previously and at that time were not entitled to make voluntary contributions and are now being penalised with reduced pensions; the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirements (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, extending the retirement age for certain civil and public servants to 70 years of age, was signed by the President on 26th December, 2018, and came into effect from that date. The Act allows for an increase in the compulsory retirement age from age 65 to age 70. Civilian Employees serving on 26th December, 2018, are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The Government recognises the important role that the three elements of the RDF play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The White Paper on Defence (2015) is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: In 2018, an amount of €76,340.27 was expended by my Department on costs associated with ministerial and Department officials' air travel.  These costs are incurred in the discharge of the functions of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The cost of newspapers to my Department in 2018 amounted to €8,446.72.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The number of females recruited into the Permanent Defence Force in 2017 and 2018, as advised by the military authorities, is outlined in the table below. Total Inductions Total Female Inductions % of Female Inductions 2017 730 68 9.3% 2018 611 50 8.2%

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. Information in relation to MATS is publicly available on my Department's website, . In relation to costs, my Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pensions Reform (22 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 634. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be included in the upcoming pensions review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2635/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I take the concerns the Deputy raised but the EU and UK have recognised that the open border on the island of Ireland has been essential to peace and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. There is no planning for infrastructure at the Border. In the normal course of events, the Defence Forces carry out analysis and background research into contingencies and this is no...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: My priority is to ensure we get back up to 9,500. The Government has provided a full budget to reach this figure. I take the Deputy's views on board. I reiterate the Taoiseach's words earlier last week. All agencies and organisations of the State are engaged in prudent planning for Brexit. I am repeating exactly what the Taoiseach and all Ministers have stated previously. It is my...