Results 9,821-9,840 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea
- Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I can only stand over the number written. My officials advise me that the present complement is 22. Members of the Army can apply to go to university and enter into their own arrangements to do so. The Deputy's suggestion of attracting individuals who want to study medicine might be a good one and we will put it into the mix. In response to Deputy Deenihan, I think the figures are 14...
- Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I will find out what is happening about the crèche at the Curragh. The increase in the Defence Forces Vote this year was 7%, probably its highest increase in the past 25 years. We are getting a lot of money and spending it to best effect.
- Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: GDP was very small in the Deputy's time.
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: The gross total allocation for my Department in 2008 is â¬1,078 million, comprising â¬888 million in the defence Vote and â¬190 million in the Army pensions Vote. This represents an increase of 7% on the 2007 allocation. Almost 70% of the defence Estimate is expended on the pay and allowances for an average of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force personnel, some 880 civilian employees and...
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: These are estimated figures. On compensation, it is a demand-led scheme. Experience of the past few years has shown us that a provision of â¬6.2 million will be sufficient but if we have to compensate individuals above that level, a Supplementary Estimate will be required. Last year â¬12.5 million was provided for the Reserve Defence Force but only â¬9.5 million was spent. This year we...
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: Yes, â¬10.5 million represents an increase on â¬9.5 million; therefore, we will be spending 10% more. The increase in the contribution to the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy arises because we are tied into a fixed percentage of the cost of running the agency concerned, which has increased slightly. The main element of appropriations-in-aid is rebates from the United...
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I do not have the precise figure but will get it for the Deputy. I refer not only to the Vote but also to the other measures in which the Department of Finance has allowed us to engage such as selling off property assets surplus to requirements, the proceeds of which we have reinvested in the defence Vote. We have a slimmed down, highly trained, well equipped Army in comfortable barracks,...
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: The Opposition cannot have it both ways.
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: The Estimates fully provide for it. We were able to provide â¬20 million from our own resources. The extra allocation was â¬37 million.
- Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: We will find a way.
- Defence Forces Personnel. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations section 6 provide for representative structures for members of the Defence Forces. In accordance with the regulations, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, represents officers of the Permanent Defence Force in respect of the matters specified in the third schedule to the regulations. The ranks involved...
- Defence Forces Personnel. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I do not doubt what the Deputy says and if the people involved approach me I will give this matter consideration. The second last report of the higher review body caused distress amongst the general staff and they made their views known forcibly to the body. The review body responded by saying it did not want to be perceived as undervaluing the contribution made by senior Army officers. The...
- Defence Forces Personnel. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: If the association wishes to have its representation changed it can approach me and I will make the appropriate inquiries. Regarding Deputy Deenihan's comments on pay rates, it is certain that, like all bodies covered by the higher review group, brigadier generals will be paid immediately and will not see their pay increases deferred. I find the attitude of some Members of this House to...
- Defence Forces Personnel. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I do not deny it.
- Emergency Planning. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: As chairman of the Government task force on emergency planning, I have emphasised the importance of raising public awareness of this issue and the work that is being undertaken by Government Departments and public authorities. In October last year the Government approved my proposals to implement a public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning and I am pleased to say that...
- Emergency Planning. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: He is not seeking a barracking.
- Emergency Planning. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I brought this proposal to Government last October and we did some research that came to some startling conclusions. The vast majority of people think we are unprepared for emergencies and an even greater percentage of people would not know what to do in the event of an emergency. A booklet will be accompanied by an extensive advertising campaign on radio and in newspapers. There will not...
- Emergency Planning. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: Tallaght has been mentioned twice in 30 seconds and that must be a record. I have taken account of the possible panic the Deputy mentioned. This operation has been done in other countries, such as the UK and Australia, and one must be careful with the terminology used and how information to be given is drafted. The objective is to reassure the public rather than cause panic and I hope we...
- Overseas Missions. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 63, 71, 74, 76, 85, 88, 90, 92, 93, 102 and 168 together. Currently, a total of 414 Defence Forces personnel are serving overseas, full details of which are listed in the accompanying statement which will be available to the House. Ireland has offered, through the United Nations standby arrangements system, to provide up to 850 military personnel,...
- Overseas Missions. (12 Dec 2007)
Willie O'Dea: I am pleased to assure Deputy Durkan on those points. I agree that adequate equipment is necessary. As the Deputy observed, the vastness of the area makes air transport necessary, as well as effective communications. Troops can be easily and quickly isolated in a place of this magnitude. It is a hostile environment. I assure the House that the force commander will not deploy unless he is...