Results 9,401-9,420 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Permanent Defence Forces receive many requests each year to participate in St. Patrick's Day parades throughout the country. Every effort is made to accede to each request as participation in the various parades highlights the community profile of the Permanent Defence Forces. Regrettably, not all requests can be met in full and occasionally some have to be refused due to prior...

Written Answers — Civilianisation of Military Posts: Civilianisation of Military Posts (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Civilianisation was addressed in the "Review of Implementation of the White Paper on Defence", published in April 2007. The Review noted some areas where civilianisation of military posts had been successfully implemented in the past and recommended that further work be done in this area. Subsequent to the publication of the Review, civilianisation was incorporated into the "Pay Agreement...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Lisbon Treaty will have no effect on Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. As I have said on many occasions, Ireland's neutrality is in our hands and that is where it will be staying at all times. The Lisbon Treaty does not change or alter this position. The triple lock, requirement of Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation for any overseas deployment of...

Written Answers — Interdepartmental Meetings: Interdepartmental Meetings (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have not had any discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on this matter.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been assisted by pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of the White Paper of 2000,...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: An All-Party Consultation Group on the commemoration of the 1916 Rising was established in 2006. Following on from the General Election in 2007, the Group had to be re-constituted from the current Oireachtas membership. I wrote to all party leaders on the 17th January 2008, inviting them to nominate a representative to the Group. The nominations have been received and arrangements for the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (22 May 2008)

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. In the 2000 White Paper on Defence, the Government decided that the Naval Service would be based on an 8-ship flotilla and committed to a modernisation and replacement strategy to maximise the operational capacity of those 8...

Written Answers — White Paper on Defence: White Paper on Defence (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The current White Paper on Defence, which was published in February 2000, was the first-ever White Paper on Defence and set out the policy framework and development strategy for the period 2000 — 2010. The overall Government objective was to achieve affordable and sustainable Defence Forces capable of fulfilling the roles laid down by Government. A detailed review of White Paper...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: All Army Officers, on commissioning after completion of Cadet Training, who meet the academic entry requirements for third level education, and who do not already hold a Level 7 Qualification, are eligible to participate in the USAC Scheme. The USAC Scheme permits such newly commissioned Officers to attend university on a full time basis as undergraduates for 3-4 years and to complete a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Seven (7) females have been enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force to-date during 2008 out of a total intake of 169. It is not possible to project the number of females who might apply to enter the Defence Forces and who might succeed in that application. However, based on previous years, this figure might be expected to rise to fifty-five (55) by year end. A detailed breakdown of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009. Revised organisation structures came into effect in October 2005. The Reserve has been re-organised along similar lines to the PDF with three brigades, a...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: On 24 April 2008, I met with Mr. Norbert Darabos, the Austrian Minister of Defence in Vienna. I was accompanied in the talks by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Michael Howard; the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt Gen Dermot Earley; Assistant Secretary General, Ciaran Murphy; and Mr Frank Cogan, Irish Ambassador to Vienna. A number of issues were discussed at our...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: During my visit to Kosovo on 23rd April 2008, I visited the Irish Troops based there. I was given a comprehensive briefing by Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, Commander Multinational Task Force (Centre). I also had meetings with: Mr. Colm Ó Conaill, Political Adviser; Mr. Joachim Rücker, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (UNSRSG), and Head of the UN...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces is being prepared and will be carried out later in the year. The campaign is likely to include advertising in print, broadcast media and via the Internet. A Request for Tender issued in March 2008 and seven tenders have been received. The...

Written Answers — Air Corps Equipment: Air Corps Equipment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As Minister for Defence I am delighted with the level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included: The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, inclusive of VAT. Two light utility EC 135 helicopters acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8m, inclusive of VAT. Six utility AW 139...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that the day to day administration of recruitment in the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. I am informed by the military authorities that the Army Equitation School has an establishment of thirty-four (34) other ranks and vacancies presently exist for two (2) Non-Commissioned Officers and ten (10) Privates (Grooms). The 2008 recruitment process is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The ongoing investment in modern equipment and facilities for the Defence Forces will continue in 2008, as will the major programme to provide modern accommodation for the Defence Forces, which has been ongoing over recent years. From the Army's perspective the major investment has been in the contracts for Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers. In the period from 2001 to 2007 the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Monitoring Group's report, "Response to the Challenge of a Workplace", a review group was established in February this year to review progress within the Defence Forces on the implementation of the recommendations of the original Doyle Report. The group is working under the chairmanship of Dr. Doyle and includes representatives of...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have had no specific discussions with the Department of Education and Science regarding the Defence Forces visiting schools. Defence Forces recruitment teams, on occasion, visit schools and third level institutions to provide briefings. These briefings include an explanation of the peacekeeping role of the Defence Forces throughout the world. The briefings also outline the Defence...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, or Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONET) has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. ONET is dedicated to looking after the welfare of all ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. A main objective of ONET is to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and women by...