Results 7,141-7,160 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: There are more Defence Forces personnel on the west coast than there were previously. Like every other defence organisation, the Defence Forces had to go through change. Any of our European neighbours’ defence forces went through reorganisation over the years. The reason is because the roles of our Defence Forces and armies in the European Union have evolved and changed over the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The EU Common Security and Defence Policy operation EUNAVFOR MED, Operation Sophia, was launched in June 2015. It is part of the EU’s broader action to provide a comprehensive response to the global migration and refugee crisis, as well as encouraging a democratic, stable and prosperous Libya. It specifically seeks to counter human trafficking and smuggling in the southern...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I am not aware of any vessels being shot at by the Libyan Coast Guard. Any migrants picked up by any of the participating countries in Operation Sophia are brought to Italian ports. What could happen on occasion is that a vessel might pick up 300 migrants while an Irish Naval Service vessel could pick up 50 migrants. Instead of the two vessels going to the Italian port, we would...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I thank Deputy Jack Chambers for his question. As part of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 2012, a decision was taken to consolidate the three under-strength Army brigades into two full strength brigades. The decision was taken because it was clear that the previous three-brigade structure was no longer viable, particularly when compared to international norms. Key aspects of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I do not agree with what Deputy Jack Chambers said. The reorganisation in 2012 was not just done by the political leaders but it was done in full consultation with and on the basis of the recommendations of the then Chief of Staff and senior military management. As I stated in my reply, what we were dealing with at the time was a large number of under-strength units in barracks and we felt...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The achievement of an effective balance between the demands of the workplace and the home is important for the long-term welfare and development of the Defence Forces. Family-friendly working conditions and operational effectiveness are both possible. The Defence Forces will continue to develop appropriate work-life balance initiatives to assist personnel whilst ensuring that defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Issues (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: 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. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Events (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: This year marks significant anniversaries in relation to Ireland's United Nations peacekeeping role. It will be the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s first participation in a United Nations peacekeeping mission and it is the 40th anniversary of our first deployment to Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission. Commemorative events are being planned to mark this year's important milestones...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I am aware of recent media reports that Psychometric Tests may be scrapped for Defence Forces recruitment and that the Department of Defence is “looking at dropping or lowering the bar on psychometric testing”. This is factually incorrect and misleading. The Defence Forces utilise Psychometric Tests, as distinct from intelligence tests, during the recruitment process. They have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Events (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: This year marks significant anniversaries in relation to Ireland's UN peacekeeping role. It will be the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s first participation in a UN peacekeeping mission and it is the 40th anniversary of the first deployment of Defence Force personnel to Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission. Ireland has made a huge commitment to supporting peace and security in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to a severe weather event rests with the three designated Principal Response Agencies, namely the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Siochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 29 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Curragh Forum was established to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to consider and progress a wide range of issues regarding the use and management of the Curragh Plains. The most recent meeting of the Forum took place in January 2018. It was attended by representatives of the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 42 together. The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) are the Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces. Defence Forces personnel, including ARW personnel, are deployed to United Nations peacekeeping missions in accordance with the provisions of the Defence Acts. The statutory authority for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by reference to, inter alia, relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces pay is increasing in line with recent public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. Members of the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The White Paper on Defence provides for the replacement of the current Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft which will be equipped...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 32 and 34 together. Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces have traditionally been set by reference to, inter alia, relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces pay is increasing in line with recent public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As part of a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 2012, a decision was taken to consolidate the three understrength Army brigades into two full strength brigades. The decision was taken because it was clear that the previous three-brigade structure was no longer viable, particularly when compared to international norms. Key aspects of the reorganisation included the consolidation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and given the rigors of military life, there is understandably a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Permanent Defence Force has always had a level of turnover that far exceeds other areas of the public service. Exit questionnaires are given to personnel as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet. The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. This programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels in recent years. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (10 May 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Currently the only Apprenticeships within the Defence Forces are Apprentice Aircraft Technicians in the Air Corps. Aircraft Technicians provide the maintenance and servicing of Air Corps aircraft, their engines, systems, equipment and weapons. Aircraft Trainee Technicians hold the rank of Apprentice during their training. Competitions for the Aircraft Trainee Technician Programme are...