Results 8,521-8,540 of 12,701 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Ministerial Air Transport Service is provided by the Air Corps to facilitate members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements at home and abroad. The Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Gulfstream IV was acquired in December 1991, and the Learjet 45 entered service in January...

Written Answers — Drug Testing Programme: Drug Testing Programme (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: On 11 March last I signed into effect new Regulations covering the operation of the Compulsory Random Drug Testing programme (CRDT) in the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish Defence Forces policy on drug and substance abuse or misuse is based on the premise that unlawful possession, supply or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. Any member who tests...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In exercising his statutory duty of care to his troops, the Irish Commander of the 99th Infantry Battalion deployed with the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) conducted a risk assessment of all activities, including sporting activities, carried out by personnel deployed in the theatre of operations. It was the Commander's assessment that the risk of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. The Naval Service operates eight general purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The primary...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: An amount of €100,000 has been provided in Subhead A7 of Vote 36 for expenditure on consultancy services in 2009. The outturn for this Subhead in 2008 was €60,000. The total gross provision in Vote 36 for 2009 is 6% less than the outturn for 2008. The increased provision in Subhead A7 for 2009 is required to support the Department's ongoing programme of value for money and business...

Written Answers — Air Corps Operations: Air Corps Operations (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper on Defence is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State. These services include the provision of a 24 hour general helicopter capability for a variety of tasks, including Garda Síochána support; the provision of a Ministerial Air Transport Service, the provision of fishery protection patrol...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is overseen by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee. Government Department's are required to submit review topics for inclusion in a rolling programme of Value for Money Reviews. The Department of Defence reviews approved by Government for inclusion in the 2009 – 2011 round of Value for Money and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Ministerial Air Transport Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 jet aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. Until recently, the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 turbo-prop aircraft was also used as a back up aircraft for short and medium haul Ministerial Air Transport missions, in addition to its primary pilot training role. The 2 x CASA...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force Review implementation Plan provides for the phased enhancement of the Reserve over the period from 2004 to end 2009. Significant progress has been made to date in implementing the plan. The Reserve has been re-organised along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force, there has been increased investment in the Reserve with new equipment and clothing and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The recent government Decision on savings measures on public service numbers is being implemented in the Defence Forces. In this context all promotion within the Reserve has been suspended for the present. The implications of the Government Decision are currently under consideration by my officials in consultation with the military authorities and the Department of Finance. While the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) are required to pass an annual Test of Elementary Training and fire their annual range practice in their assigned weapon. These typically include the Styre, Pistol and General Purpose Machine Gun. Members are also required to pass an annual Fitness Test, with the level of fitness required determined by age. In addition to these Tests, PDF members...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The number of members of the Permanent Defence Force by rank who have retired or resigned to date in 2009 and the number of personnel by rank who are currently on predischarge leave or have sought to retire early are outlined in the following tables: DISCHARGES 2009 TO DATE OFFICERS REASON BRIG GEN COL LT COL COMDT CAPT 2/LT TOTAL VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT 2 3 1 4 1 11 RETIREMENT ON AGE...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is overseen by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee. Government Department's are required to submit review topics for inclusion in a rolling programme of Value for Money Reviews. The Department of Defence reviews approved by Government for inclusion in the 2009 – 2011 round of Value for Money and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As a result of the re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in 2005 the establishment of the Cadre staff was reduced to figures of 298 in the Army Reserve and 22 in the Naval Service Reserve. The strength of the RDF comprises three elements: Personnel who retained their pre-2005 appointments following the re-organisation. Personnel who held appointments pre-2005, but whose...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The eligibility criteria for the payment of a gratuity annually to members of the Reserve Defence Forces have not changed for 2009. The Defence Organisation, as with the public service generally, is required to operate with reduced funding and in this context the current provision for training of members of the Reserve has been reduced by €1.64m for 2009. As there are finite resources...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The main requirement for legal services in my Department is in the context of administrative law litigation, usually in the form of judicial review and personal injury proceedings. The Chief State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in cases that it manages on behalf of my Department. External legal costs incurred by the State Claims Agency arising...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table: Grade Flexi time% Work sharing% Secretary General N/A 0% Assistant Secretary N/A 0% Principal N/A 31% Assistant Principal 57% 8% Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officer 100% 18% Executive Officers 100% 24% Staff Officer 100% 28% Clerical Officer 100% 20%

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

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The procurement of a new building for DFHQ in the Curragh is being handled by the Office of Public Works (OPW). A state owned site in the Curragh has been chosen for the building and planning approval has been obtained. The OPW have requested "Expressions of Interest"...

Written Answers — Ombudsman for the Defence Forces: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. On the 19th September 2005, Ms. Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn SC was appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Government, as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Her term of office was extended for a further three years from 19th September 2008. The Office of...