Results 9,781-9,800 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Military Medals: Military Medals (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Of some 670 enquiries made to date, my Department has received 512 completed application forms for Medal certificates in respect of Veterans of the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. Following examination, entitlement to certificates has been established in 374 cases, resulting in the issue of a total of 1,156 certificates in both official languages. Certificates are being issued on...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces is proactive in the development and promotion of the Irish language. The following measures have been taken in this regard: An Chomhairle Gaeilge ( Irish Language Council) was established in 2003; The Defence Forces Official Languages Policy in the form of an Administrative Instruction was launched in 2004; Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann (Defence Forces Scheme) under the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Promotions: Defence Forces Promotions (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Discussions between my Department and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) commenced in April 2006, on revised promotion arrangements for Non-commissioned Officers have been ongoing for some time. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: On 27 November 2007, I addressed the Biennial Delegate Conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO). I sought to make my address relevant, positive and informative and I discussed topics of interest to the military delegates, their colleagues and to the wider community. The topics included amongst other things the Government's commitment to the continued...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces and the Department have taken a wide variety of initiatives and have devoted extensive resources to this issue, since Dr Eileen Doyle and the External Advisory Committee presented their original report "The Challenge of a Workplace" in March 2002. This independent report addressed the entire range of interpersonal issues within the Defence Forces. Its contents and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the military authorities that the ratio of commissioned officers to non-officers in the Defence Forces over the past ten years is as shown in the table. Year Ratio 1996 1 : 7.33 1997 1 : 7.45 1998 1 : 7.64 1999 1 : 7.74 2000 1 : 7.49 2001 1 : 7.47 2002 1 : 7.31 2003 1 : 7.06 2004 1 : 6.90 2005 1 : 6.75 2006 1 : 6.43 Nov 2007 1 : 6.64 My Department does not...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Details on the average ages, by rank, have been maintained on an annualised basis since 2001. The table provides the details for Officers and Enlisted Personnel. Average Age by Rank in the PDF as at 31 December 2001 and 6 December 2007 Officers Rank 2001 2007 Increase/ Decrease (years) Lieutenant General 60.88 60.62 -0.24 Major General 58.66 60.11 1.45 Brigadier General 58.20 57.49...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: A request to provide crèche facilities for members of the Defence Forces has been made by the Defence Forces Representative Associations. The Defence Forces Partnership Steering Group, which was established following on from Partnership 2000, has tasked a Partnership Sub-Committee with examining the issue of the provision of childcare facilities under a number of headings, including demand...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Estimate for 2008 provides for an average of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force personnel. In practice this means that the actual strength at any particular time may vary above or below that figure, depending on the rate of wastage and the timing of recruit intakes. The Estimate for 2008 provide for an increase of around 7%, one of the largest year on year increases for a number of...

Written Answers — National Memorials: National Memorials (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Memorial designed by Mr. Brian King is a pyramid shape made primarily of granite slabs resting on a steel frame interspaced with toughened glass panels. I understand that Mr. King chose the pyramid shape because of its historical references to burial and because he sees the shape as reflecting that of an "army tent". While its external symmetry is simple in form, on closer inspection...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Force Policy on Drug/Substance Abuse or Misuse is centred on the premise that the unlawful possession, supply or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. In October 2002 the Defence Forces introduced a Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme. Since 2002 6,455 tests have been conducted with 0.4% of tests yielding a positive result. In 2006...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The planning for the commemoration of Ireland's first peacekeeping mission is well under way. A Board was convened in September this year by order of the Chief of Staff to make recommendations on the best means to mark the anniversary. The Board is due to report to the Chief of Staff before the end of December with firm proposals. It is anticipated these will include a commemorative ceremony...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Alouette helicopters, originally delivered over forty years ago, were taken out of service in the Air Corps in September of this year. I am advised that six of these helicopters, with a stock of spare parts, will be disposed of by my Department in the New Year. The sale will be by open tender competition. At least one helicopter will be retained for display in the Air Corps Museum at...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: As part of their participation in peace support operations, the Defence Forces have traditionally adopted a number of small-scale humanitarian operations in support of the local communities where they are deployed. Recent examples of this are in Liberia and Kosovo. The main source of funding towards this humanitarian work comes in the form of a financial subvention from the Irish Aid...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the military authorities that the current establishment for fitters, known in military terms as technicians, is 255. At present, there are 165 trained technicians in the Defence Forces and 86 technicians undergoing training. Currently, there are 7 technicians deployed on overseas missions. There is no shortage of technicians at present for overseas units.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan is being implemented over the period to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The current strength of officers in the Permanent Defence Force is 1,359. Of these, 1,155 were commissioned through the Cadet School, 67 were commissioned from the Ranks (Potential Officer Course), and 137 were commissioned by Direct Entry Competition. Significant progress has been made recently in implementing schemes to enable more commissioning from the ranks. The revised cadetship...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: It is proposed to re-inaugurate the Oireachtas Consultation Group shortly. I will be writing to Party Leaders inviting them to nominate representatives to the Group. I hope to arrange a meeting of the new group towards the end of January 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have a Ministerial Office in Leinster House, as well as an office at the Department of Defence Headquarters at Parkgate, Infirmary Road. As Minister for Defence, I also attend at the various Defence locations around the country on a regular basis. Whilst I do not keep a log of attendance at my various Offices, I meet with my officials and military personnel on a regular basis in all of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, General Service Enlistment, Apprenticeship Competition or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. The number of applications received for the Cadetship Competition in 2006 and 2007 was 1,085 and 1,231 respectively. 55 Cadets were enlisted in 2006 and 48 were...