Results 7,961-7,980 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's Participation in European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There is no cost to the Exchequer for SatCom unless we use it. It is a standing service for all members of the European Defence Agency. If there is a problem with the service provided to us by our existing provider and we have to go to the back up service of the EDA, it is only then that the charges kick in.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's Participation in European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Let us say the Government decides tomorrow morning that we are to participate in a mission somewhere in Africa or wherever. I am not sure whether the existing contract we have is negotiated every 12 months, but it is a fixed contract for the overseas missions we have, be it Operation Sophia for the Naval Service or an operation for the Air Corps. If we were to undertake a new mission we...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's Participation in European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Yes.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's Participation in European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I will respond to Deputy Barrett before responding to Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. The peacekeeping school is very important for the Irish Defence Forces. It is part of the education of both enlisted personnel and cadets, as peacekeeping is one of the topics enshrined in their training. I am not sure if members are aware of the peace and leadership institute proposed in the programme for...

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I dispute the Deputy's questioning of the Government's commitment to the national orchestras. As I said in my initial reply, the statutory remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment includes broadcasting and RTÉ. I set out the position on the RTÉ orchestras. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is very committed to culture. I agree...

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: It is important to note that the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, does not have overall responsibility for RTÉ.

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Absolutely. Of course, we want to see them being retained. As a Minister of State on this side of the House, I want to see them being retained. This matter falls under the stewardship of the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, whose statutory remit includes broadcasting and RTÉ.

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy is pulling at straws when she tries to accuse the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, of having no interest in this matter. Of course, she has huge interest in it. Perhaps the Deputy should speak to the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, in the first instance to see how we can proceed on the issue.

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputies for their comments. I am surprised at Deputy Lisa Chambers, given her professional capacity and legal background, that she does not understand that I cannot discuss confidential information on a whistblower or someone who has made a protected disclosure. As a legal professional, she should know that I cannot discuss it. As a layperson, I understand it, but-----

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: No, but the Deputy should understand, given her professional and legal background, that I cannot discuss confidential information. I am surprised that she is not aware of that fact.

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I have listened carefully to the contributions of both Deputies and will conclude by once again giving a commitment to ensure compliance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. I have set out that I have been in contact with the Chief of Staff in that regard. Some of the issues raised are personal to an individual, while some are linked with other issues that are the subject of litigation....

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, who, at short notice, has been unable to make it into the Chamber. I remind the Deputy that she was once Tánaiste and a Minister when she would have got other Ministers to take Adjournment Debate matters on her behalf.

Topical Issue Debate: National Cultural Institutions (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I understand that, but the Minister was unable, at short notice, to come to the Chamber to take this matter and I apologise on her behalf. I have been asked by her Minister to take it on her behalf. Our colleague, the Minster for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, has statutory responsibility for broadcasting and his remit includes RTÉ. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Protected Disclosures (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputies for raising this very important issue. I am fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and to the protections contained in that Act. I have directed that processes are put in place to manage protected disclosures across the defence organisation, on both civil and military sides. The health and welfare of the men and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The 2015 White Paper on Defence reaffirms that my Department will “identify opportunities for cooperative-collaborative engagement between the Defence Forces and Irish based enterprise and research institutes, including third level colleges.” The sea trials referred to by the Deputy were conducted as part of routine Naval Service patrols and I am advised that no additional...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: A service commitment scheme was introduced in 1997 to incentivise pilots to remain within the Air Corps. This scheme ran in various formats until 2010 when it was discontinued. Payment under this scheme between 2002 and 2010 amounted to just over €5 million. No provision has been made within budgetary arrangements since 2010 for a similar type scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out Government policy on Defence for the next decade. It commits to retaining flexible and adaptable defence capabilities for a broad range of scenarios and sets out capability requirements including personnel and equipment in this regard. In this context, it is important that an appropriate balance is maintained between personnel costs and equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). It provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) will be 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300. The current total strength for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I announced previously my intention to review the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. In advance of the commencement of the review, I arranged for draft terms of reference to be circulated to PDFORRA and RACO. During the course of recent meetings I had with the Permanent Defence Force representative associations, I requested that they revert to me...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (29 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets out that the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500 personnel. As at end October 2017 the strength is 9,219 personnel, which is 97% of the establishment. A range of measures are in train to reach the intended strength level and there is sufficient funding in the Defence Vote for a full strength PDF. I am aware that the...