Results 8,841-8,860 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

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

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 36, 44 and 50 together. The White Paper on Defence confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the Permanent Defence Force in times of crisis. In non-crisis situations, the main focus will be on training to prepare for this role. The White Paper on Defence also noted that members of the RDF continue to play an important role in...

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

Paul Kehoe: I should say at the outset that, as Minister with Responsibility for Defence, I remain open at all times to considering more efficient and effective approaches to provision of Defence services and, whilst I would never rule out the possibility of seeking an independent review of particular aspects of how the Defence Forces is managed and operates, I have no plans, for reasons that I will...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: You will be aware that the Public Service Pay Commission, announced by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has been tasked with providing analysis and advice on remuneration for the public service, including the Defence Forces, in the context of the FEMPI Acts 2009 - 2015. The Public Service Pay Commission is expected to report in the coming months. Once this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Where full-time officials of representative associations are serving personnel, there are informal arrangements in place for their advancement in rank in the normal course. These arrangements are predicated on the principle that such personnel should not suffer any adverse or beneficial impacts on their promotion prospects relative to their peer group as a result of their representing the...

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

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 29 together. The Air Corps continues to provide a broad range of services on a daily basis for a diverse range of tasks such as Army and Naval Service support, the Emergency Aeromedical Service, maritime patrols and fishery protection, the Ministerial Air Transport Service, inter-hospital transfers and Aid to the Civil Power duties including the...

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

Paul Kehoe: As part of the preparation of the White Paper on Defence, the Department of Defence and Defence Forces carried out an extensive review of defence requirements including capabilities required for the period extending to 2025. The Air Corps operates two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which are primarily used for sea fisheries protection and maritime patrolling. They are also on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Funding (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 28 together. In June 2016 the European Council adopted Conclusions welcoming the presentation by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Frederica Mogherini, of the European Union Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) and invited the High Representative, the Commission and the Council to take the work...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Range No. 3 is a rifle range within the Curragh Camp and since March 2016 the Defence Forces have resumed training on this range. This has resulted in the occasional temporary closure by the Defence Forces of the Hollow Road. The temporary road closures are required as part of strict control and safety measures put in place by the Defence Forces to ensure public safety during the firing of...

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

Paul Kehoe: As I indicated in my responses to other recent Parliamentary Questions on this issue, a number of former and serving Air Corps personnel are suing the Minister for Defence alleging personal injuries arising from exposure to workplace chemicals. It is not appropriate for me to comment on this matter at this time as these cases are the subject of ongoing civil litigation before the High Court....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in each part of the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to levels of pay available in related public sector employments. I fully appreciate that many of our citizens continue to face some difficulties in the current economic and fiscal environment, including members of the Defence Forces. The Government is making...

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

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 41 together. 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 Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out all roles assigned by Government. In this context, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (29 Mar 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 the...

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

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy will appreciate that the o perational details in relation to any aspect of cash movement missions cannot be disclosed for security reasons. However, in general terms, specific requests for Air Corps involvement in operations results in differing responses depending on the type of operation, the availability of aircraft, the availability of aircrew, weather conditions etc. On...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Brexit Issues (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The status of persons in Northern Ireland with Irish passports who wish to join the Defence Forces remains unchanged. It is not envisaged that the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU will have a bearing on their status.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The UK is expected to trigger Article 50 today. A meeting of the EU 27 Heads of State and Government is scheduled to take place on 29 April to discuss the UK withdrawal. It is expected that formal negotiations will commence in May or June, once the remaining 27 member States reach consensus on the EU's negotiating position. The negotiations themselves can then be expected to take at least...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: In accordance with Defence Forces regulations the award of medals for bravery is time bound. These may not be awarded in any case unless a recommendation is made through the usual channels to the Chief of Staff, not later than two years in the case of the Military Medal for Gallantry, and not later than four years in the case of the Distinguished Service Medal, after the performance of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Action Plan (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There are no plans at EU level to establish a common EU military operational headquarters. As I previously advised the House, there have been proposals around for some time, that the EU should establish a joint operational headquarter capacity to support the planning and conduct of its civil and military operations. A permanent joint civil-military operational headquarters, appropriately...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The current strength of Defence Force personnel at Custume barracks, Athlone on 28 Feb 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, was 833 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (29 Mar 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (29 Mar 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internalsecurity of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Since 5 February 2003, the Gardaí...