Results 9,361-9,380 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The expenditure in 2007 on public relations in my Department was €214,000. This was in respect of preparatory work for the Public Information and Awareness Campaign on Emergency Planning. The contract for this campaign was awarded following an EU-wide tender competition. The contract provided for the development of the emergency planning website, the drafting, publication and...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together. The relevant bodies within the remit of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard, the Central Council of the Irish Red Cross and the Army Pensions Board. I wish to state that there have been no advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by those bodies or by my Department in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested is set out in the following table: Year Total Interest Paid Top Three Beneficiaries Interest Amount (€) (€) 2003 3,935.96 Coillte Teoranta 649.76 Kilrush Creek Marina Ltd 280.11 Mater Private Hospital 245.34 2004 2,924.01 Compass Catering Services 394.35 Irish Shell Ltd 267.82 Esso Irl Ltd 191.92 2005 2,353.74 Tedcastles Oil Products 880.35 ...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) as a percentage of it's establishment is in the region of 90% and has been so for the period in question. The strength is sufficient to meet anticipated operational requirements. For security and operational reasons it has not been military practice to publicise exact details of the establishment or actual strength of the ARW. There is an existing...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. This blueprint outlined a new Reserve with a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better equipment and training and opportunities for reservists to serve on overseas peace support missions. An Implementation Plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan provides for the development of an Integrated Army Reserve. A pilot scheme for the Integrated Reserve was commenced in 2007 and this scheme has been extended into 2008. The military authorities have advised me that members of the RDF are trained in all military equipment appropriate to their corps and rank in accordance with the Annual...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised that the name of the contractor engaged by the Defence Forces to transport Defence Forces equipment from Cameroon to Chad is SDV Bollore, a French company. The contract was awarded in early April following a tender competition and the transportation of the equipment commenced in mid April 2008 and is due to be completed by the end of this week.

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan provides for the re-organisation and development of the Reserve Defence Forces on a phased basis up to the end of 2009. The development of an Integrated Army Reserve is included in the Plan. A pilot scheme for the Integrated Reserve was run in 2007 and while numbers participating were small (180 completed training), very valuable...

Written Answers — Common Defence and Security Policy: Common Defence and Security Policy (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The provision on common defence in the Lisbon Treaty largely carries forward the existing Treaty provision on the possibility of the development of an EU common defence. The term is not further defined in the Treaties. However, any decision to move to a common defence would have to be taken by unanimity, providing Ireland with the right to veto any such proposal. There is currently no...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was set up in 2004 during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. Its mission is "to support the Member States in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". Ireland participates in the framework of the Agency and is...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004 "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". The EDA is an Agency of the European Union....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is a comprehensive range of national and EU legislation dealing with employment rights and protection of employees. Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) are not "employees" or "workers" in the generally accepted meaning of those terms. The Defence Acts 1954 to 2007 prescribe that the Defence Forces shall consist of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and a Reserve Defence Force....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Members of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) who are injured in the course of their duties may apply for compensation under a non-statutory compensation scheme administered by my Department. Typically, this would cover injuries sustained on official duty while participating in annual camp, field days, overnights, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Compensation is payable under...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of civil servants in my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal or higher is set out in the following table: Grade No. of Full-Time Staff No. of Part Time Staff Secretary General 1 0 Assistant Secretary 2 0 Head of Corporate Services 1 0 Principal Officers 9 4 Professional Accountant 1 0 Assistant Principal 38 0 The Professional Accountant and 1 Assistant Principal...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 11, 16, 23, 40, 44, 50, 232 and 235 together. Preparations for the deployment of the 97th Infantry Battalion to the UN mandated European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic are being implemented in a series of carefully planned phases. To date preparations are on schedule. A total of 394 members of the Permanent Defence...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Of the 394 personnel who are there at present, a total of 28 have been mandatorily selected. The military authorities have their own procedure for mandatory selection. While I am not immediately familiar with it, I can get details of it for the Deputy. I am told the system has been in place literally since the foundation of the State. However, I understand that someone who is mandatorily...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Deenihan has asked three questions. As for parcels, the primary purpose of the resupply flights will be to supply appropriate provisions and equipment and other necessities for the troops. The military authorities have advised me that they may be able to make some provision for parcels at Christmas. I will certainly communicate Deputy Deenihan's sentiments to the military. I share...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I note Deputy Wall's remarks on the huge amount of organisation and effort that has gone into putting this mission together and I thank him for them. I will convey his sentiments to the Chief of Staff. Regarding family concerns, access to families, parcels and so on, I have already undertaken, in reply to a number of questions from Deputy Deenihan, to do what I can to provide assistance....

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have already told Deputy Deenihan that the military is considering whether a helicopter should be placed permanently at Goz Beida. I will not try to second-guess the military as I am not a military expert, but I have been assured that if it is decided that it is necessary for the safety of Irish troops that a helicopter be located at Goz Beida, a helicopter will be located there. With...

National Emergency Plan. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 13 and 28 together. On Monday 14 April 2008, the public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning was launched at the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre. The main focus of the campaign was the publication and country-wide distribution of a handbook entitled Preparing for Major Emergencies. To coincide with the launch of the campaign, a...