Results 9,441-9,460 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I would be very careful about recommending that the plains be designated as an NHA because we need to avoid over-regulation of the Curragh Plains which is a recreational area where people can enjoy themselves. There is potential for a number of quick wins that do not cost any money by updating the by-laws where necessary for the protection of the Curragh, putting in place processes for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised that former Ministers for Defence have met representatives of the group previously. Mr. Alan Shatter met representatives of the group on 26 May 2011 and on 3 February 2012. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, met representatives of the group on 14 January, 2016. In late June 2016, I indicated to the group that I am open to meeting it. The group responded indicating that prior to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I have no issue with meeting representatives of the group. They had a protest during the summer at which they wanted to give me some correspondence. Unfortunately, it was on a Saturday and as I had other commitments, I was unable to meet them. I understand there was a briefing here in the Houses of the Oireachtas regarding the Lariam group. I sent a representative from my office to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: On 18 February 2013, at the request of the Malian authorities and in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 (2012), the European Union launched a training mission for Malian armed forces named EUTM Mali. The objective of the mission is to train and mentor the Malian armed forces to improve their military capacity and their effectiveness in guaranteeing the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: We will monitor on an ongoing basis whether there is to be any increase in personnel. If it is to be increased, I will, of course, inform the Deputy. The strategic review of the EUTM Mali mission was completed earlier this year. Following the review, the Council of the European Union approved EUTM Mali's third mandate in March 2016, which adopted the existing mandate and extended it by a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Our continued participation in this mission supports Ireland's ongoing obligations to international peace and security and the commitment to maintaining the Defence Forces' capabilities in international operations. I take the Deputy's views on board and I will keep him and the House informed if we are to increase membership.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy is aware, the Curragh Plains Representative 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 Síochána, the Curragh...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I join the Deputy in offering my condolences to the family of Colonel Frank Lawless on their recent bereavement. I had the opportunity to sympathise with his wife and two children recently. He is a huge loss to the Defence Forces, particularly the training college at the Curragh where he played a very important role as director. The independent monitoring group was established in May 2002...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Establishment of the focus groups is a matter for the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, with whom I have engaged in some consultation. I have asked him to revert to me with a plan and profile of the timelines for the focus groups. It is important to recognise that it was very courageous and forward looking of the Defence Forces to take the initiative of conducting a climate survey and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy is correct in pointing out that many initiatives taken by the Defence Forces are cost neutral. The Defence Forces have introduced a number of initiatives to improve family life for personnel, for example. Probably one of the biggest is the rotation of personnel abroad where they can do a three-month tour of duty instead of a six-month tour. That was one of the initiatives to help...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battle Groups (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Participation in EU Battlegroups demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to the development of EU capabilities in the area of crisis management and contributes to our overall credibility within the Union. Ireland’s continuing active engagement in EU Battlegroups enhances our capacity to influence the ongoing development and evolution of the rapid response capacity of the EU, in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Defence expenditure for 2015, in respect of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence), was €898m which is 0.35% of GDP. The expenditure for 2015 was comprised of some €671m in Defence expenditure and €227m in Army Pensions expenditure. On the Defence Vote, some €459m was expended on the pay and allowances of Defence Forces personnel, civilian employees and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Pensions (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: It is important to state at the outset that I hold the members of the Reserve Defence Force in very high regard, as do all my colleagues in Government. I have been hugely impressed by the work that volunteer members of the Reserve Defence Force undertake in their local communities in the context of Aid to the Civil Authorities during periods of flooding and other such events, and the pride...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Government’s 2015 review of foreign policy and the Defence White Paper reconfirmed that Ireland will continue to maintain its traditional policy of military neutrality which means non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements. Ireland's policy of military neutrality was formed in an era when inter-State conflict was the key...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The following tabular statement outlines the extent to which the whole-time equivalent strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps has fluctuated over the last ten years. As of the 30thSeptember, 2016, the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,044 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As Dáil and Government business precluded my attendance at the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Bratislava which was held on the 26th and 27th of September, I was represented by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence. This was an informal meeting and as such no decisions were made on any matter. There was an exchange of views on the implementation of the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. In this regard, the level of remuneration in the Defence sector has maintained relativity with the levels available in other related public sector employments. The Deputy will be aware that the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security 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 thFebruary 2003, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised that Department Officials are currently finalising Terms & Conditions in consultation with RACO (Representative Association of Commissioned Officers) in relation to the recruitment of external Medical Officers. In addition, a new scheme for training medical graduates in military medicine is currently being finalised. Terms & Conditions for suitably qualified...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (9 Nov 2016)

Paul Kehoe: At the outset, I want to assure the deputy that the military authorities and I place high priority on the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces. The provision of medicines is an integral part of the medical service provided to members of the Defence Forces. I am informed that the range of medications used by the Defence Forces, and the effects of those...