Results 141-160 of 4,824 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Paul Kehoe

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Paul Kehoe: I will not be able to reach them all.

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Paul Kehoe: In my tenure, I have been able to deliver a package of measures worth more than €20 million in increases in Defence Forces pay through the independent pay commission, public sector pay increases, increases in new entrants' pay and outstanding adjudications. There have been increases under various headings. I do not have time to go through the pay of all of the different ranks in the...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Paul Kehoe: I ask Deputy McAuliffe to write to me about Mr. Halpin and I will follow up on that case for him. I know Deputy Troy was in contact with my office about the rotations and we kept him up-to-date with any information we had on same. I was clear from the start that I did not want any misinformation going out. I said that when we had clarity on the dates of return of personnel from UNIFIL...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Chambers referred to the UNIFIL mission. As he knows, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, cancelled all rotations of all of our UN missions. This was always going to cause some distress to members of the Defence Forces and their families. My Department, the Defence Forces and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade got working to see if we...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Paul Kehoe: I welcome this opportunity to update Deputies on the response of the defence sector to Covid-19. At the outset, I express my deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones during this pandemic and I wish a full recovery to all those fighting the coronavirus. I will outline the contribution made by the defence sector as part of the overall response of the State to this terrible...

An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19), 2020: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Mar 2020)

Paul Kehoe: I thank Deputies Berry and Chambers for raising this very important issue. The Government very much appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, which comprises the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, and fully recognises the important role that the three elements of the Reserve Defence Force play in contributing to Ireland's...

An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19), 2020: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2020)

Paul Kehoe: I welcome the opportunity to speak on section 25 of the Bill. At the outset, I acknowledge the important contribution of the Defence Forces and the entire defence organisation in support of the HSE in its effort to combat this silent enemy. Most visible is the presence of the ships being used as testing centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway. A military task force has been also established to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Partnership for Peace (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Ireland's relations with NATO are set within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and Partnership for Peace. The primary aim of Ireland's Partnership for Peace participation is to enhance the Defence Forces' interoperability with other professional military forces for the purpose of engaging in UN-authorised peacekeeping and peace-support operations led by the UN, EU or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Partnership for Peace (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have stated on numerous occasions that I defend our traditional policy on military neutrality, even when it comes to Partnership for Peace, in which I am a very strong believer. I mean no disrespect to anyone in this House in saying that I have had the opportunity to go overseas to visit our troops, be they in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon or in the Golan Heights. I see...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: In recent months, I got an extra €20 million for the Defence Forces for pay and allowances, as recommended by the recent Public Service Pay Commission under the public service stability agreement. We are also looking at other retention matters. I agree with Deputy Moynihan that this is not all down to euro. We must provide a work-life balance for members of the Defence Forces and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The amount returned between 2014 and 2018 was €4.5 million out of a total budget of €4.5 billion. Any savings made on pay are not handed back to the Exchequer. In fact, they are reinvested in the organisation for the benefit of all members. Deputy Moynihan understands the public service stability agreement. When his party signed up to the confidence and supply arrangement,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: That is one of the reasons the Defence Forces were prioritised by the Government and the Public Service Pay Commission was asked to examine the key challenges we face in the Defence Forces. I am not saying we do not have challenges. I accept that we have significant challenges and these were addressed in the recommendations of the Public Service Pay Commission. I am delighted that both...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Following six months of training, a young person who joins the Defence Forces receives in excess of €28,000, plus whatever allowances he or she is entitled to. I accept that Defence Forces personnel work for their allowances. One of the issues I addressed in recent years was to give people more opportunities to go overseas. That was an important issue to address in the context of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The document addresses the threat of mines and improvised explosive devices which may close ports and sea lanes and demand the protection of privately-owned cables. A key thrust of the argument is the need for the protection zones around cables. These cables are the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. We have a responsibility in that area as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: We have to look at the challenges of the situation post Brexit. One issue is the possibility of a hard border. Thankfully, it appears that the latter will not come to pass. That is good news. We have to look at these situations and the challenges we are facing.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Jack Chambers always shifts the discussion. Different Departments have different responsibilities. The Deputy should be able to understand that. The security of the State is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. Cyber risks are the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. These cables are a major concern. This document in question...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 67 and 82 together. Similar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of PDF personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis. Improvements within the economy have provided an opportunity for the unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I do not accept any of the Deputy's comments. As part of the terms of reference of the review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme, I asked the chairman of the review, Mr. Barry, to look at ICTU affiliation for members of the Defence Forces. That arose from a decision in a EUROMIL case. It is incorrect of the Deputy to say I have been ignoring this issue. If she had read a little...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I acknowledge we have major challenges in the future. To return to the issue the Deputy raised about ICTU affiliation, I noted during a debate on a Private Members' motion tabled by Deputy Jack Chambers of Fianna Fáil that all Opposition Deputies supported membership of ICTU. The motion was supported by all Members of the House at the time. As the Minister of State with responsibility...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 62 together.