Results 11,221-11,240 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Civil Defence Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (29 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present this important legislation to the House. The Civil Defence Bill 2012 provides for the repeal of the Civil Defence Act 2002, the dissolution of the Civil Defence board and the transfer of its functions and other responsibilities back to the Department of Defence. The purpose of the Bill is to bring the management,...

Membership of Committee: Motion (28 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I move:That Deputy Michael McCarthy be discharged from the Committee of Public Accounts and that Deputy Colm Keaveney be appointed in substitution for him. That Deputy John Paul Phelan be discharged from the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions and that Deputy Noel Harrington be appointed in substitution for him. That Deputy Simon Harris be...

Topical Issue Debate: Commission of Inquiry (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: On foot of concerns raised, the Garda Commissioner arranged for a detective superintendent to meet with Ms O'Doherty and family members. Following his appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister inquired into the actions being taken by the Garda Síochána in this matter and he was advised of the position. The Minister took a personal interest in this case. I do...

Topical Issue Debate: Commission of Inquiry (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who is unable to be present as a result of business in which he is involved elsewhere in the Houses. The Minister is fully aware of the concerns that have been expressed concerning the death of Fr. Niall Molloy and he sympathises greatly with the Molloy family. I am sure Deputies...

Topical Issue Debate: Reserve Defence Force (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: That is happening. The Deputy can snigger but it is unbelievable that he can come down here and be a totally different representative from his colleagues in the North who have to take some tough decisions.

Topical Issue Debate: Reserve Defence Force (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I outlined the savings made. I assure the Deputy that the Government very much appreciates the work of the Reserve and will continue to do so. We will accommodate all members of the cadre who have to change location and I have no doubt the Defence Forces will do so, to the best of their abilities.

Topical Issue Debate: Reserve Defence Force (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force. That is a key element of the response to the findings and recommendations of a value for money, VFM, review of the Reserve Defence Force, which was recently completed and published. The value for money review was undertaken by a steering committee with an independent chair. The steering...

Topical Issue Debate: Reserve Defence Force (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I do not believe that disrespect was shown to the members of the Reserve Defence Force. They are very much aware of the value for money review that was being carried out, as the Deputy stated, for some time. They patiently awaited the publication of the review. This was brought to Cabinet last Tuesday and was passed. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, brought the memo forward and...

Approval of Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces: Referral to Committee (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2011, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 5th March, 2012, in accordance with Section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, in...

Approval for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council: Referral to Committee (27 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the Members of the Seanad who contributed to the debate. The most important point we must remember at the conclusion of the debate on the Bill is that Civil Defence is not solely about governance and regulations but about the volunteers who give of their time to this great organisation. I have no doubt that this work will continue into the future. We all know that the role of Civil...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: Section 221 provides that, no later than 30 June each year, every local authority and city council shall prepare and adopt a report which shall include particulars of policies, programmes, services and other activities undertaken by the council. The local authority will report directly to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on this issue. I very much recognise...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: Obviously, none of us can predict the weather or the chance of flooding. I assure the Senator that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will give additional funding to the local authority in question if required; it does not come from the overall central budget of the Department of Defence. As the Senator knows, given the nature of the beast, each county can be...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I reassure the Senator that the premises of the Civil Defence board in Roscrea, County Tipperary, and the Phoenix Park training centre in Dublin are both provided for the board by the OPW. The board does not own any property directly; it is in the ownership of the OPW. The existing arrangement will continue. Motor vehicles have always been registered in the name of the Minister or the...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: It is not my intention or that of the Department to reduce the staffing level. However, every year the Minister must converse with the Minister for Finance and we must operate within budget. In so far as it is possible, the staffing level will remain as it is.

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: The Department and I believe the local authorities play an integral role regarding Civil Defence and will continue to do so. Each Civil Defence organisation in each county will have a very close relationship with the local authority. My local authority in Wexford has a dedicated director of services who has responsibility for Civil Defence matters. Most local authorities have a dedicated...

Seanad: Civil Defence Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: I thank both Senators for their comments. I recognise the great work and contribution the board has made over the years. I assure the Senators, as I did on Second Stage, that there will be no change to the organisation other than the dissolution of the board and moving the organisation under the remit of the Department of Defence. The Minister for Defence, departmental officials and I...

Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy McGrath is not a national monument.

Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: They are next.

Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2012)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy would not qualify so.