Results 9,561-9,580 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy mentioned family-friendly policies and we have been very active in bringing family-friendly policies to the fore. The fact that male or female participants may spend three months on missions abroad and have an exchange with somebody for the following three months is a welcome addition. I have asked the general officer commanding in each of the brigades if enlisted personnel...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: Under the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1990, the Defence Forces representative associations are prohibited from being associated with or affiliated to any trade unions or any other body without the consent of the Minister. Accordingly, the representative association PDFORRA cannot be affiliated to ICTU at present. The basis for the prohibition is that it would be inappropriate to...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I will not provide the medical advice because that would almost mean providing advice on every member of the Defence Forces.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: It relates to their personal health and well-being and the next information the Deputy will look for is the personal details of members of the Defence Forces.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: When Roche informed the Defence Forces that it was pulling out of the country, it stated it was a commercial decision. If the Deputy has evidence that it pulled out for any other medical reason, I would appreciate it if she gave it to me.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am satisfied that the evidence I have received from the medical corps of the Defence Forces is that Lariam is the most suitable drug for members going abroad.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am aware that Lariam has now been discontinued in the Irish market. Roche Products (Ireland) Limited informed the Defence Forces director of the medical branch on 7 August 2015 that it was planning a discontinuation of Lariam from the market with effect from 31 July 2016. My colleague and former Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, brought the matter to the attention of the House...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I have to believe Roche when it informed the former Minister for Defence that it was pulling out of Ireland for a commercial reason. I have been given no information or evidence to state otherwise. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by medical officers in the Defence Forces. The best advice given to me is that Lariam is...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am not a medical practitioner, but I accept the advice of the Defence Forces medical corps. The choice of medication for a mission is a medical decision based on best advice. I reiterate that the most comprehensive screening is carried out on every member of Defence Forces.

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I am not hiding behind any evidence. I believe absolutely that the medical corps of the Defence Forces gave me the best evidence when I questioned it on this issue. It is not giving me false information. I refute one of the Deputy's comments. I have been informed by the Defence Forces that its members are individually screened prior to the administration of Lariam before they go on an...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputy for her question. I note that she is referring to the discontinuation of the sale of Lariam in the Irish market and the recent remarks reported to have been made by a former senior UK military officer. On the first matter, Roche Products (Ireland) Limited informed the director of the Defence Forces medical branch on 7 August 2015 that it was planning a discontinuation of...

Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The medical advice I have been given by the medical corps of the Defence Forces is that Lariam is the most suitable drug for members of the Defence Forces who are going overseas. I hope the Deputy understands it is a fight against malaria, one of the ravaging diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The Defence Forces have a very good history in malaria prevention. I have spoken to the medical...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission together with NATO’s Secretary General, made a joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation on 8 July 2016. The EU and NATO have a long track record of cooperation which has comprised political consultations and practical cooperation on crisis management operations. This includes operations undertaken by both NATO and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Resources (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is to provide Aid to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence 2015 contains a commitment to on-going investment in the replacement of Naval Service vessels. The current Naval Service ship replacement programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels in the past three years. Following a tender competition, a contract was placed in October 2010 with Babcock Marine, UK, for the provision of two new Offshore...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As I stated in my response to your PQ no.16864 which I answered on the 21st June 2016, the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. This commitment was also reflected in the White Paper on Defence, published in August 2015, which sets out the policy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: In the White Paper on Defence 2015, the Government recognised the important role that the Reserve Defence Force have played in contributing to Ireland’s defence capability, and in particular to, the spirit of 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft Landings (27 Sep 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 which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces were called upon to ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 994 together. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army Personnel, 886 Air Corps Personnel and 1,094 Naval Service Personnel as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Planning Issues (27 Sep 2016)

Paul Kehoe: As the planning application on the building of the waste to energy facility in Ringaskiddy is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanála it is not appropriate to anticipate the outcome nor would it be appropriate for me to comment further on the application at this time. The operational requirements of the Defence Forces will be reviewed in the context of the planning decision in...