Results 7,761-7,780 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together. The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act 1938 and is an independent, self-governing charitable institution. By resolution passed by its council of delegates in November 2007, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,...

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I concur with the Deputy that the bad press is extremely regrettable. I am in a difficult position as Minister because, under the terms of the Geneva Convention, the Government is obliged by law to ensure the independence of the Red Cross. Although the Government provides the Irish Red Cross Society with a grant-in-aid of almost €1 million per annum and supplies a building owned by the...

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Regarding the final question, it is not my responsibility. The Red Cross is statutorily independent but I will find out for Deputy Deenihan how much it collected and when it will be distributed. I wish to correct the record of the House. Deputy Deenihan quoted me as saying I can do absolutely nothing. Anyone who has been in the House for the past two or three minutes knows that is not...

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I said I cannot get involved in the internal running of the Red Cross. It is not Irish law that prohibits me but a commitment-----

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: That does not mean I cannot do anything. That does not mean I cannot introduce legislation to allow necessary changes in governance. That is different to doing nothing.

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has a member on the executive council who regularly reports to the Department. I have a fair idea of the situation without commissioning separate investigations. The board appointed a committee to carry out an investigation and has made recommendations. My job is to make legislative changes to enable the board to make those changes. It is not rocket science. Surely Deputy...

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: As regards getting involved in investigations and making changes, under the Geneva Convention Ireland is committed to maintaining an independent Red Cross. An independent Red Cross means an autonomous organisation that runs its own show, whose executive council deals with governance matters and matters that have come out in the media in recent times. That is the law and that is what we...

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Radical proposals have been made to change the governance structures of the Red Cross, which are the subject of much controversy as referred to by Deputy O'Shea. My role is to examine the recommendations, see which ones require legislative change and provide and pass the appropriate legislation in the House.

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I do not agree with any responsibility being taken from the President.

Irish Red Cross Society. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I do not want to get into specific recommendations. Much has been made of the chairman's resignation. Some time ago, the chairman told me he wanted to wait until the report recommending reform of the Red Cross had gone through the system and that he would then offer up his position. That is precisely what happened. The Secretary General wanted to return to the Department of Justice,...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 109 and 261 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN stand-by arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army excluding reserves and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The factors taken into account when considering participation in a mission include whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response, how the mission relates the priorities of Irish foreign policy, the degree of risk involved, the extent to which the required skills and characteristics relate to Irish capabilities, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate,...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: When these wind-downs have taken place, the number of personnel working overseas will fall from 758 to 480. There will continue to be a substantial number of people based overseas. I have been informed that if the proposal I have submitted to the Minister for Finance is accepted - even partially - we will continue to be in a position to send troops overseas. Our capacity to send troops...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The 50 figure will be broken down in a 37:13 ratio. I take it the Deputy welcomes that.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The effects of the moratorium will be further alleviated by additional concessions which I am hoping to secure from the Minister for Finance. We will come to a separate question on the medical corps in due course. I emphasise that we take every precaution to secure the safety of Irish troops when they go abroad. We ensure that they have access to level 1 medical facilities, at least. They...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Today.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I thought I would volunteer some information that is not in the newspaper to the Deputy. I refer to my announcement that the 50 promotions will be split in a 37:13 ratio.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The figure is 35 or 36 below 10,000.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the specific information sought by the Deputy. I am operating on the basis of the normal annual fall-out, which is between 530 and 540. It may have been slightly over 540 last year.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.