Results 11,721-11,740 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Army Barracks (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy can be assured that the Minister met PDFORRA as recently as yesterday. He stated that if there are personnel in Clonmel barracks who, for personal reasons or otherwise, want to move to Kilkenny or elsewhere, there are negotiations which can be availed of. The Minister, the Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces are very open to ensuring, in so far as possible,...

Army Barracks (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I said they would not go to the wall because of the barracks closing. The Deputy was part of the Government when other barracks closed. I do not believe any business in any of those towns went to the wall because a particular barracks closed.

Army Barracks (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The Deputy referred to the reserve forces, which is an issue we are taking into account. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, is very much aware of this matter and of the importance of the work the reserve forces carry out. They will be accommodated when planning is being carried out on the future of the barracks. The Deputy said it is a huge psychological blow to Clonmel, and there is no doubt...

Army Barracks (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: While I do not have the figure to hand on income supplement, I can have my officials come back to Deputy Calleary on that. I believe the timeline will be the first half of next year, although I do not have a specific date. In response to Deputy O'Brien, cases will be dealt with on an individual basis because everyone's needs will be different. Deputy McGrath asked why Clonmel barracks was...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. The Government's comprehensive review of expenditure formed the basis for the budgetary decisions necessary to achieve the targets for fiscal consolidation over the period to the end of 2014. A detailed submission by the Department of Defence formed part of the review process. The submission highlighted the significant reform that has been...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I am aware that the Minister met representatives of both PDFORRA and RACO yesterday on this issue. In response to the previous question, I stated the number of personnel in the Defence Forces is 9,500. In recent years, the number was as high as 12,000 to 14,000. Unfortunately, we do not have enough personnel in the Defence Forces at present to maintain and sustain three brigades. The...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: This is a ministerial decision for the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter. He asks the Department to come up with a proposal. Both the defence and departmental sides would work together and return to the Minister with a proposal for him to make a decision. There was very little consultation on the decentralisation of the Department of Defence. This is a decision the Minister must make...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: This is a ministerial decision. The Minister has asked the Department and Chief of Staff to make proposals in this regard. They were consulted on this by the Minister.

Overseas Missions (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The only UN-led mission in which the Defence Forces are currently participating is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. The total amount owing to the Department of Defence by the United Nations as of 30 November 2011 in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Forces personnel in UN missions is approximately €11.66...

Overseas Missions (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: In any case where money is owed, there will always be negotiations. That is what is happening at present in respect of the mission to Chad. I assure the Deputy that all debts will be collected and the Department is working vigorously to this end.

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: A value for money review, VFM, of the Reserve Defence Force commenced in February 2010. In the interim period the EU-IMF deal was signed. The requisite fiscal consolidation which was a part of this deal has a direct bearing on the level of resourcing available for the Defence Forces. This in turn is linked to the framing of future plans for the organisation of the Defence Forces, including...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I will find out when the Green Paper will be available and pass the information on to the Deputy. As the Deputy understands, when the funding envelope of the Permanent Defence Force is reduced, this must be mirrored in the Reserve Defence Force. The Deputy asked about the funding available. The envelope available to the Defence Forces for 2012 was reported in last week's budget. There...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I can assure the Deputy there are no plans to abolish the Reserve Defence Force. The proposals regarding the future development of the Reserve Defence Force arising from the value for money review and the wider reorganisation proposals for the Defence Forces as a whole will be introduced in due course. I assure the Deputy there will be consultation with everybody involved, but there are no...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: To reply to Deputy O'Brien first, when there are changes in the Permanent Defence Force, there are generally changes within the Reserve Defence Force. No proposals have been brought forward and the Minister has not made a formal proposal on that. Realistically, however, if there are changes to the Permanent Defence Force, there will be other changes. I am not saying what the changes will...

Defence Forces Review (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I presume the Minister will take that into consideration when he is making a decision. On Deputy Bannon's point about the value for money review, I can assure him that the Minister is very aware of the important role the buildings and structures play in the community. Every alternative use will be examined and the Minister will take account of any proposal when considering the future of the...

Industrial Disputes (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: Last month, in the context of an ongoing dispute between the local authority fire service and a number of its retained fire fighters, a request was received by my Department, in accordance with procedures in place, from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for the Defence Forces to provide assistance to Roscommon County Council in the maintenance of essential fire...

Industrial Disputes (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I can assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces undermined nobody's authority. They were called upon on an emergency basis, which I very much welcome. That is their role. I have no doubt that if firefighters in the Deputy's constituency were on strike and her house went on fire she would very much welcome, in the event of the county council not being available to put out the fire, the...

Industrial Disputes (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: That is the Deputy's stance on the issue. It is about saving lives if they are requested to do so, as well as safety and emergencies. The Deputy is entitled to her opinion but it would not be the opinion of many outside the House. They want emergency services available to them, whether it is the Defence Forces or others. I can assure the Deputy that nobody's authority was undermined. The...

Industrial Disputes (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: No, the health services can also call on them.

Naval Service (13 Dec 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The contract price for the provision of two new offshore patrol vessels for the Naval Service is €99 million, exclusive of VAT, and subject to contract terms and final agreed costs. In addition, the cost of providing a weapons system for the ships, similar to the systems on LE Roisin and LE Niamh, will be €7.8 million, exclusive of VAT. The contract for the two ships was placed with...