Results 7,361-7,380 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Defence Policy (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I welcome the possibility of the joint committee being given the opportunity to hear submissions. It is very busy dealing with justice issues, but this is one way in which defence issues could be raised before it. It would certainly be a good process.

Naval Service Operations (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Before I ask a supplementary question, I wish to echo the sentiments expressed by Deputy Calleary about the role of the Naval Service in Glandore which has brought home to the public the importance of the Naval Service and the credit due to the personnel for what they have undertaken in Glandore. The Minister referred to the locations being chosen with regard to the optimum yield to be...

Departmental Staff (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Will the Minister confirm that the Department is operating at full capacity in terms of personnel and that there is no shortfall in personnel?

Departmental Staff (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is probably the case.

Defence Forces Ombudsman (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: One section in the report referred to the possibility of extending freedom of information provisions to the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. What is the situation? The Ombudsman's report included an expectation that there would be an extension, given the number of freedom of information requests. The report also discussed the additional resources that would be required to...

Consultancy Contracts (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence the details of any consultancy services, and value for money policy reviews, paid for by him for each of the past five years; the names of any reports they delivered; the names of those who drafted or conducted the reviews; the moneys paid to those persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6830/12]

Consultancy Contracts (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Was any consultant asked to look into the possible closure of barracks and the impacts thereof, for example, Kickham Barracks?

Departmental Expenditure (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence the details of the Departmental funding allocated to office equipment and external IT services; the money paid to external companies; the names of these companies and the services they provided for both 2010 and 2011. [6829/12]

Departmental Expenditure (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: The amount is significant, but it covers a wide range of equipment and services. When the Minister referred to licence supports, did he mean licence fees? What percentage would be paid towards licences rather than the purchase of new equipment?

Departmental Expenditure (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Are they on a contract basis and are we tied into contracts?

Defence Forces Strength (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of retirements this year in the Defence Forces; and the total number of Defence Force retirements he aims to achieve. [7201/12]

Defence Forces Strength (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Minister mentioned the limited promotion competitions. With regard to the 362 personnel expected to retire this year, including those who have already retired and those who have indicated their intention to do so, does the Minister have a breakdown of that number by rank? If he does not have this information, maybe he can send it on to me.

Defence Forces Strength (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Fine.

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Defence the army barracks he intends to close over the next three years; and the number of buildings currently in the ownership of the Defence Forces that he intends to sell over the next three years. [7202/12]

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: I was surprised to be told by my colleague from Cavan this morning that there was an advertisement in the newspapers there seeking a premises to lease by the Department of Defence for Reserve Defence Force training, even though we are closing a barracks in Cavan town. Why was a decision taken to close a barracks when the Department was seeking to lease a property in the same town for Defence...

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Does the Department have proposals to seek properties to rent in the other three locations where barracks are being closed?

Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Do the seven Permanent Defence Force personnel serve six monthly or 12 monthly rotations? If a decision were made to withdraw those troops, would a period have to pass before they could be physically withdrawn?

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 74: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent Law Reform Commission Report on Mandatory Sentencing; his plans to amend the policy of mandatory sentencing for certain offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6524/12]

Written Answers — White Papers: White Papers (7 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 88: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the increases in supports, both in staffing and resources, he will give to the Probation Service to enable it to work with more offenders in the context of his initiatives which attempt to reduce prison numbers coupled with the public sector recruitment embargo. [6523/12]

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2012)

Jonathan O'Brien: Question 365: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the statutory basis which allows Garda escorts for transporting commercial explosives on a non-public duty basis; the body that bears the cost of Garda involvement in such activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6505/12]