Results 9,101-9,120 of 12,597 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: To deal with the Deputy's first two points, I accept there is a problem. Let me emphasise that there is no question about the safety of these helicopters. It is a question of the air operation certificate, which covers what these helicopters are supposed to do — there is a question as to whether they could carry personnel. The better view is that they cannot, and they are not allowed to...

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: They can be used for that. Their licence covers them for medical evacuation in emergencies.

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: That was in the second part of my answer which I did not have time to deliver. A request came in from operational headquarters to supply a platoon sized contingent of approximately 30 troops to provide protection for force headquarters in Abéché. I am not aware that request was actually refused. It was considered. The people considering the request have to take many things into account...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy will be aware, on 11 September 2008, the national sail training vessel, Asgard II, sank in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France. The Asgard II was on a cruise from Falmouth in the UK to La Rochelle. On board were five crew and 20 trainees. All crew and trainees were evacuated successfully and are safe and well. The decision to abandon the vessel and take to the life...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As Deputy O'Shea rightly recognises, we will not know the precise cause of the accident until the Marine Casualty Investigation Board concludes its investigation. I assure the House that when it does, I will have no difficulty publishing its report. In regard to Deputy O'Shea's second question, Coiste an Asgard is considering a number of possibilities for replacement. It has not yet...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The investigating body is the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. Naturally, it must talk to the French authorities and the French life board service, in particular. I understand that nobody other than the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is directly involved in the investigation. It has primary responsibility for the investigation.

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I cannot answer that question exactly but I understand the underwater survey was commissioned by Coiste an Asgard. I do not know who it got to do it but I can get that information for the Deputy.

Toxic Waste. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Following concerns arising in regard to work undertaken on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, at the ISPAT site, as a purely precautionary measure, I directed that an independent investigation of any potential health issues arising at the naval base in Haulbowline be undertaken. An independent environmental health and safety assessment...

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: He is a legend in his own mind.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an on-going capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. Given the extensive effort...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reports: Defence Forces Reports (21 Oct 2008)

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 function of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Regulations: Defence Forces Regulations (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 457 to 459, inclusive, together. Defence Force Regulations govern any work activities of serving personnel in their off duty time. There are no specific provisions governing such activities of former members, who are in effect private citizens. I am advised the Defence Forces does not retain data on any civilian employment that might be undertaken by...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together. The Deputy will be aware that 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 posts to be...

Written Answers — National Airspace: National Airspace (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel is primarily used by military aircraft, but occasionally civil aircraft are permitted to use the Aerodrome for, inter alia, the purpose of pilot training, familiarisation visits and landings of charter aircraft for Irish troop rotations. I am advised by military authorities that KC-135 aircraft have never used Casement Aerodrome. However, I understand that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 464 together. I have set out in the following table the amount that was granted in pensions to staff who retired early from my Department in each of the past five years. Year Amount granted in Pensions € 2004 Nil 2005 463,142.50 2006 252,651.74 2007 51,789.20 2008 Nil Total 767,583.44 The above pensions were paid to staff at the grades of...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The use of all portable electronic devices in my Department and the Defence Forces is covered by comprehensive ICT security policies, which have been in force for some years. The policies have undergone recent review and are supplemented by additional instructions from time to time to reflect changing requirements and best industry practice. They are published and distributed to all staff and...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The estimated cost of securing Mitchell Barracks for 2008 is approximately €25,500, based on the current rates of security allowance. The Barracks is secured on a twenty-four hour basis throughout the year by members of the Defence Forces based in the barracks.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together. I have set out in the following table the average number of days absence on sick leave per employee for each of the past 5 years for my Department and its agencies, which are Coiste an Asgard and the Civil Defence Board. Year Average number of sick days per employee 2008 8 days 2007 10 days 2006 10 days 2005 16 days 2004 19 days My...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together. I have set out in the following table information in relation to staff within my Department who availed of the early retirement scheme in each of the past three years. I wish to state also that no member of staff within the agencies under the remit of my Department availed of early retirement schemes in this period. Year Number Grade...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (21 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Decisions regarding the participation of Member States in the European Union in Battlegroups are made on the basis of a number of criteria. It is a matter for each country to decide whether it will participate in a particular Battlegroup or not. Regarding Ireland's participation in future Battlegroups, there has been some confusion arising from misinformed reporting in the media on the issue...