Results 8,101-8,120 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I would point out to the Deputy that the barracks he refers to are in no way derelict but are in a state of good order and repair, which I intend to maintain pending their disposal so as to maximise the value of the proceeds for reinvestment in the Defence Forces. The Government decision of 14 October 2008 approved a programme for consolidation of Defence Forces formations that included the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The sum of €3.8 million has been received as insurance compensation for Asgard II. Subject to approval for the funding of the project, I propose to proceed with plans for the procurement of a new vessel that will be similar in design to Asgard II but with a steel hull. A decision on this funding will be made in the context of settling the Estimates for 2010. If approval is given to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information that the Deputy has requested is provided in the tables attached as follows. Table 1: shows the number of Reserve Defence Force (RDF) personnel who undertook paid training, the number recruited and the number paid a gratuity in each year from 2003 to 2 October 2009. Table 2: shows the cost of the RDF, as charged to Subhead D of the Defence Vote for each year from 2003 to 30...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: To date 94 houses in the estate have been sold and it is hoped to dispose of the remaining six (6) houses as soon as possible. It is hoped to meet with Kildare County Council shortly, to discuss what remedial works are required to facilitate the takeover of the estate by the Council.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision of December 2003 in relation to decentralisation, provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin-based Civil Service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, County Kildare and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The number of posts to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (13 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The former military detention centre in the Curragh was used as a civilian prison by the Irish Prison Service from 1996 to 2008. At the end of that period responsibility for the facility reverted to my Department. I have no immediate plans for any refurbishment of the prison. The provision of civilian prison accommodation is, in the first instance, a matter for the Irish Prison Service and...

Written Answers — Sail Training Vessel: Sail Training Vessel (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 24 together. The report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that plans to build a replacement vessel for Asgard II should be deferred indefinitely, and that the national sail training scheme should be discontinued. Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the budgetary...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 44 together. The recommendation in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was that the Naval Service Vessel Replacement Programme be extended over a longer timeframe than initially envisaged. In effect, we are in compliance with this recommendation, when you consider that the ships are supposed to have a...

Written Answers — Army Equitation School: Army Equitation School (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 36 and 56 together. The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 33 together. In the past, personnel of the Army Ranger Wing have been successfully deployed as part of Defence Forces contingents to overseas peace support operations, for example in Liberia, East Timor and Chad. In all cases, the conditions, known as the "triple lock" were satisfied, i.e. the operation was authorized/mandated by the United Nations and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 46, 55, 163 and 167 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby 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...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Following an accident involving a troop carrying vehicle in Granard, Co. Longford in June 2007, a study group was formed to advise on the introduction of a Roll Over Protection System for troop carrying vehicles incorporating roll bars and safety belts. Arising from the report of the study group a number of different options were fitted to different vehicles for testing and evaluation to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 65 together. The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that the number of personnel in the PDF be reduced by 500 over a 2 to 3 year period as "operational requirements allow". The reality is that based on current trends numbers are already reducing within the PDF. The PDF strength as of 30/09/09 is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 53 and 63 together. The current Cadetship competition was advertised on 9th August 2009 with the closing date for receipt of applications being 21st August 2009. It is intended to award thirty (30) Army and twelve (12) Naval Service Cadetships as a result of this competition, which is currently underway. I am advised by the Military Authorities that for...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The recommendations in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in relation to staffing levels in my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. Decisions on these recommendations will be a matter for the Government. However, I can state that the current staffing level of my Department is 361 compared...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Comórfar céad bliain Éirí Amach na Cásca agus imeachtaí eile i dtréimhse na Saoirse, trí chlár cuimsitheach a chuirfear i bhfeidhm i gcaitheamh an iliomad blianta. D'fhonn clár cuimhneachain cuí a chur le chéile tá iarrtha ar Ranna Rialtais tionscnaimh ina réimsí cúraimí ar leith a mheas a d'fhéadfaí a úsáid chun imeachtaí céid a chomóradh. Tá súil agam, ach...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Question Nos. 27 and 164 together. At the request of PDFORRA I met with the Association's General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and President on 30th September last. I was accompanied by the Secretary General and Assistant Secretary of my Department, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff (Support). During the course of the meeting a broad range of issues were...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Question Nos. 28 and 42 together. The assistance provided by the Defence Forces to both the civil power and civil authorities is wide and varied. The actual costs of all services provided have not been recorded separately to date. The compilation of such material on a retrospective basis would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. Costs are recovered for...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Permanent Defence Force by virtue of the nature of their duties and the likelihood that they could be posted away from their home base or overseas for lengthy periods, have a particular need for postal voting. While members of the Reserve Defence Force play a valuable role in the military organisation, the same considerations do not apply to them. I have been advised by the Military...

Written Answers — PDFORRA Conference: PDFORRA Conference (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Yesterday 7 October 2009, I addressed the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). I sought to make my address relevant, positive and informative. I addressed such diverse issues as the current budgetary situation, Defence expenditure and our overseas commitments. I emphasised that the Defence Forces, like all areas of the...