Results 8,601-8,620 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Air Corps Strength (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I wish to reassure the Deputy that the manpower requirements of the Permanent Defence Force are monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational need across the organisation at home and abroad. As there is a significant turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces, targeted recruitment takes...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy will be aware the Pay Commission report was only published last week and contains a comprehensive and detailed analysis of pay and pensions issues in the public sector and notably addresses issues surrounding recruitment and retention. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is acutely aware of the commission's findings. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Having read the document on the report of the Public Service Pay Commission published last week I have no doubt that it addresses the needs and concerns of the Defence Forces. Anyone who has read the report will recognise that they are covered comprehensively. I agree with the Deputy this is not just about pay but there are several issues concerning retention in this document. As I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy can rest assured that I will be making the strongest case possible as I have done to date. I spoke at length yesterday at Cabinet on this and personally to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This is part two of the replacement of the Lansdowne Road agreement. It is up for the public pay talks. PDFORRA and RACO will be invited to those talks where they can put their...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Ministerial Transport (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Let me be clear that no decision was ever taken to prioritise the ministerial air transport service over the provision of top cover for search and rescue missions. When I was informed of the situation in the Air Corps regarding its plan to suspend the standby roster for out-of-hours and weekend contingencies, I directed that a meeting be held immediately between Department officials and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluating the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh. Also, the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to developing this Institute. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There are currently three schools located within the Curragh Camp - the Curragh Post Primary School, the Curragh Boys National School and the Curragh Girls National School. The Department of Education and Skills has a range of responsibilities including the provision of primary and secondary education to children throughout the State. The schools located in the Curragh Camp are non-fee...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: An additional payment in respect of personnel who deployed to the humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean on Operation Pontus was agreed through the Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force by PDFORRA, the Representative Association for enlisted personnel. This payment was subsequently authorised by the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: On 26 April 2017, while representing Ireland at an informal meeting of Defence Ministers in Malta, I was delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with the UN Under Secretary General (UN/USG), Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix. While this was an introductory meeting, a comprehensive range of issues in relation to peacekeeping operations were discussed. I also took the opportunity to brief him on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: My Government colleagues and I recognise the important role that the Reserve Defence Force has played in contributing to Ireland’s defence capability, and we recognise the voluntary service which has been the hallmark of the Reserve. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve and the White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It also considers the defence capabilities required so that the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by Government. In this context, the White Paper on Defence also highlights a number of medium and long term strategies in the area of manpower planning. The White Paper addresses...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Regulations (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The procurement of goods and services by the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with public procurement policy and national and European Union law. Procurement procedures in the Defence Forces are kept under constant review to ensure they are in line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework. A wide range of non-capital goods and services are procured directly by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Question No 49 and 64 together. On 11 April 2017, the Government approved the return of a Naval vessel to the Mediterranean to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks.  The Government decision provided that the deployment is subject to finalisation of a bilateral arrangement with the Italian authorities in relation to the operation of the mission and the landing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence (2015) outlines the fact that Defence Forces’ capabilities are primarily developed for security purposes and this remains the key capability driver. In this context, the White Paper sets out the investment priorities for the Air Corps. A unique feature of Ireland’s defence policy is the extent to which these capabilities are used towards other ends....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 60, 62 and 71 together. The primary focus for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces to fulfil the roles as assigned by Government. This includes undertaking overseas Peace Support Operations, and in this regard to afford the greatest possible force protection to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The current strength of Defence Force personnel at Custume barracks, Athlone on 15 May, 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, was 886 personnel across all ranks. The re-organisation in 2013 did not significantly alter the actual number of PDF personnel serving in Custume Barracks, Athlone. In accordance with the revised organisational structures, as of 30 November 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I will be attending the formal Council of Foreign Affairs with Defence Ministers (FAC Defence) scheduled to take place on the 18th May, 2017, in Brussels. The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board in Defence Ministers format. This session will primarily focus on the long term review of the EDA, implementation of key taskings and next...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement, or indeed any other scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection. I am, therefore, not aware of the eligibility of individual members of the Permanent Defence Force to receive such allowances, or the total numbers of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I attended the recent informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Valetta, Malta, which took place on 26th and 27th April 2017. This was an informal meeting and as such no decisions are taken on any matter. On 26 April, Ministers received a briefing from Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino on 'Operation Sophia', which is the EU naval operation against human smugglers and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (17 May 2017)

Paul Kehoe: In 2012, a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces took place which resulted in the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units. As a result of the re-organisation, the operational capacity of...