Results 8,501-8,520 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 to 461, inclusive, together. The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The number of staff to be relocated to...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together. The cost arising from the barracks closures over 15 months, including the initial renovation works, is estimated at €3.2 million, against annual recurring savings of approximately €2.7million. Most of the costs at the level of the individual soldier are once off or short-term costs arising from payment of Change of Station Allowance...

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: He would not want to tell the whole story about the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: That would be a first.

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My understanding is that the 4% relates to a reduction in the payroll. No submissions or representations have been made to me to the effect that our lack of fighter aircraft interferes with training. A function of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is to act as an aid to the civil power, namely, the Garda Síochána. I presume that the Revenue Commissioners are included in this....

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy may know, we stopped recruiting in late 2008. When people retire, they will not be replaced. Generally speaking, this is how we will proceed.

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: At the moment.

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I will get the exact figure for the Deputy, but the Air Corps is close to its authorised maximum figure.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The recent Government decision on savings measures on public service numbers is being implemented in the Defence Forces. The implications of the decision are under consideration by my officials in consultation with the military authorities and the Department of Finance. I am advised that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government at home and...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: There were a number of points. I understand the Deputy's comments on promotion. A question arises as to whether people who have gone through most of the promotional process, up to and including the medical stage, can be put through the system. This is a matter I will discuss with the Minister for Finance. No cadet intake is planned for this year-----

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: -----as matters stand. While Deputy Deenihan is aware there has been a cadet intake into the Army every year since the early 1980s, there is a recruitment embargo at present. Incidentally, a number of other issues arise in this regard, such as the question of fixed short-term contracts, when people have an expectation or commitment to go on to become full-time officers in the Army. I must...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I stated in my initial reply that I am quite satisfied and will ensure in my talks with the Department of Finance that the capacity of the Army to do its job, both as an aid to the civil power and in performance of its overseas duties, will not be materially affected by the recruitment embargo. As for cadet recruitment, I did not state there would not be a recruitment competition this year....

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: For the present.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Just a minute.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Recruitment is suspended for the present, pending my talks with the Minister for Finance. As for the technical questions raised by Deputy Deenihan, these all are matters which are being discussed at present. I am discussing them with the representative organisations and the military authorities and, ultimately, I will discuss them with the Department of Finance. I am not taking these...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I reiterate I am satisfied the Army will be capable of doing its job both at home and overseas. As for recruitment, it has been suspended across all branches of the Army for the present. However, this is a matter I will discuss with the Minister for Finance.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment to the public service with effect from 27 March 2009. In this context and given the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the Defence Forces, which includes both the Reserve Defence Force and the cadets, has been suspended for the present. The moratorium and the reduction in the pay budget were introduced as...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I do not accept that morale is low in the Defence Forces. The Department of Defence has been very responsible in expenditure since the White Paper. It is probably the best behaved Department in the State from the point of view of public expenditure.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Nevertheless, we are in difficult economic times and each Department must accept a certain amount of pain. Considering the figures, the Department is accepting less of the pain than others in recognition of what it has achieved in the past. I am acutely aware of those who went through the process and were then told they cannot join the reserve. I am discussing this matter with the...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The difficulty is we have only a certain amount to pay people who engage in training.