Results 9,261-9,280 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I wish to state that the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann put their lives on the line every day of every week, 24-7, when they go on peacekeeping duties, be it with UNDOF, UNIFIL or many of the other missions we have scattered across the world. I took a personal interest in this matter when I was appointed Minister of State because I saw the human side of it when I was...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Military Medals (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Can I conclude?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I do not agree with the Deputy's accusation. I repeat that we will maintain our traditional policy of military neutrality in whatever decision we make here. The Government will consider each of the proposals that have been put forward in a very serious manner. There is potential here for Ireland so we must consider each of the proposals seriously. Society is changing at a rapid pace and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It encompasses the Government’s policy on defence of the State from armed aggression, the defence contribution to domestic security, the defence contribution to international peace and security and a broad range of other “non-security” roles which the Government requires the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As I outlined in my reply, there is a civil and military side to the implementation of the White Paper. I get regular updates from that group, which meets regularly. I will be happy to attend a meeting of the committee at any stage regarding the action plans. However, developments on the White Paper and the actions that are taken and delivered on will be reported in the annual review of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): White Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I have no problem with updating the committee in the second quarter of next year on the implementation of the White Paper. As the Deputy understands, this is an important document for the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the future. A great deal of work went into the White Paper and I would be delighted to do what the Deputy asked. I, the Department and the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Question Nos. 34, 53, 54 and 60 together. As I outlined earlier, the College of Commissioners adopted the European defence action plan on 30 November last. The aim of the plan is to explore how EU policies and instruments can ensure the EU's industrial and skills base will be able to deliver required defence capabilities in view of current and future security challenges....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Let me assure the Deputy that at every opportunity I reaffirm Ireland's position and policy on neutrality. The proposals in the action plan fully respect the EU treaties and the Lisbon protocols and they pose no challenge to Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Therefore, there is no requirement for me to reconfirm Ireland's neutrality to my European counterparts at this...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I can assure the Deputy that we will consider every part of the Commission's proposal. There must be savings when one pools resources and it would be only right and proper that we consider all of the proposals. There are opportunities here for Ireland. We are living in a society in which circumstances change at a rapid pace and we must be able to keep up to date on all equipment and...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am not aware of a ship not being able to go to sea because of an issue associated with engineering personnel. There are vacancies at present for officers. I will revert to the Deputy with the exact number. We have the biggest cadet class, including members of the Air Corps, Naval Service and the Army. One hundred personnel in the junior cadet class started in September 2016. This will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns in this area. As she is aware, the Curragh forum was established to enable key stakeholders of the Curragh plains to meet and contribute to the ongoing management, protection and future development of the plains. Membership of the forum, which is chaired by the Department of Defence, includes representatives from the Defence Forces, An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I can chat to the Deputy privately about this. That are a number of schools, both primary and secondary, based in the Curragh Camp. I am very much aware that when they were originally set up, the number of personnel in the camp was much greater than it is now. Of course, numbers are dwindling in the schools. This is one of the first matters I inquired about after my appointment earlier...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Defence Forces Properties (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I have a number of plans for the Curragh Camp. As the Deputy is very much aware, now that there are additional cadets recruited since September, this is an area in which I personally want to invest. If one looks back ten, 15, 20 or 30 years ago, the number of personnel in the Curragh Camp was greater. The numbers have dwindled in the schools because of the fall in the number of personnel...

Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I have had bilateral meetings with my counterpart in the UK. There are two Departments involved here, namely, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. As I have outlined, we have a service level agreement with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. The agency has set out the number of days it requires...

Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: -----I assure the Deputy that we are very much on top of this.

Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I would be the first to say that we need to protect our fish stocks. The fishing industry plays a very important role in our economy, especially in coastal communities, including in my own county in places like Kilmore Quay. I assure the Deputy that whatever the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority requires from the Naval Service and the Air Corps post Brexit will be forthcoming. The...

Priority Questions: Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Regarding the Air Corps, the CASA 235 aircraft will be replaced in time. The Air Corps also plays a very important role in sea fisheries protection.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The re-organisation of the Defence Forces, finalised in October 2012, resulted in a fundamental restructuring of Army formations and units throughout the country, including the closure of a number of operational posts. This was undertaken to enhance operational readiness and deployability while reducing the number of personnel involved in administration. The reorganisation led to a...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: First, I commend the Defence Forces on conducting the aforementioned detailed survey of members. The findings of the survey are very interesting. In conjunction with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, my Department is making sure that issues raised in the climate survey affecting members of Óglaigh na hÉireann are addressed. I am not aware of personnel not being able to...

Priority Questions: European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I will repeat what I said in my original reply. I am satisfied that the proposals in the action plan fully respect the EU treaties and the Lisbon protocols and pose no challenge to Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. There is also a clear recognition and reaffirmation that defence remains a member state prerogative. Decisions about expenditure, military...