Results 10,441-10,460 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We keep our property portfolio under constant review. What we dispose of is regarded as surplus to requirements at a particular time. If the Deputy wishes, I will examine the barracks to determine whether any land is surplus to requirements and communicate with him.

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 258 together. Service in the reserve is rendered on a voluntary part-time basis. I am aware of the time and effort that its members give freely by participating in training and other activities in their own time. Their willingness to serve in a voluntary capacity and the dedication and enthusiasm they display consistently is appreciated in their local...

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Strictly speaking it is incorrect to say they are not remunerated for what they do. They are not remunerated for weekly training, which they do in their spare time, but when they attend their annual training camp, if they are there for a minimum of seven days, they will be paid for the seven days at the relevant regimental rate up to a maximum of 14 days.

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: They are also paid when they go on specific training courses and on specific security duties. According to the figures available to me, the Reserve Defence Force personnel may be paid for up to a maximum of 42 days in a year for attending under the headings I outlined. There are, however, exceptions to this on sanction by the Department. In 2006, 25 reservists completed an average of 50...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In his report Colonel Behan made five recommendations, each of which I will now address in turn. The first recommendation is that in the light of his research and study, the record of Dáil Éireann should be amended in regard to the location where Trooper Browne died. While no definitive conclusion can be reached regarding the precise location of Trooper Browne's death, the proposition that...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We examined how best to commemorate what happened in the contribution of both soldiers in a public way. The Chief of Staff suggested that the UNIFIL parade that will take place in Cathal Brugha Barracks at the end of April might be a suitable public occasion because it will attract a lot media attention. Not only will we publicly recognise them at that event but, as Minister for Defence, I...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I accept the Deputy's comments but the military authorities have concluded that these circumstances, however harrowing and difficult they may be for the individuals involved, are not sufficient to warrant the award of a medal for gallantry under the relevant criteria. However, I do not wish to pre-empt any discussion I have with Mr. Fitzpatrick or anybody else Deputy Costello wishes me to...

Departmental Bodies. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Some €400,000 was spent in 2005 to improve facilities within Cathal Brugha Barracks, where the Military Archives are housed. The intention was to secure the archive while the requirement for a more suitable home for it was identified. The military authorities advise that the Military Archives have three staff and that a total five staff would be sufficient to meet the current demands on...

Departmental Bodies. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with the Deputy that the issue is dragging a little and that is why I gave the appropriate instruction to recruit civilian staff without further delay because I suspect suitable staff are not available within the military. The location of the archives is a difficult issue. The relocation of the National Archives is a problem and the relevant authority is experiencing considerable...

Departmental Bodies. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Department spent €500,000 on the archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks last year to keep the show on the road. The facilities for such an exhibition are limited but I will make inquiries and communicate with the Deputy on the matter.

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical, NBC, threats identified from time to time. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements, which includes approximately 9,500 NBC suits. The NBC suits are not a personal issue and are retained in stores...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment. This equipment enables troops to carry out the mission assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. All military vehicles undergo regular maintenance and overhauls to ensure that they are roadworthy and provide value for money. Vehicles are...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The UN does not contribute directly to the cost of maintaining our equipment, which is purchased and maintained from our own budget. However, a standing arrangement is in place between the UN and its constituent members that compensation be paid for expenditure incurred in sending troops on missions. The compensation is paid in arrears according to a fixed formula. Traditionally, the...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The formula varies according to particular missions, although I do not know its exact details. The Defence Forces inform me as to how much is owed and my Department contacts the UN when the cheque is late, which is often the case.

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The sums vary because the UN pays in arrears.

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: At one stage, we were owed more than €13 million but I believe the figure has significantly decreased. I can revert to the Deputy with the exact figure.

Defence Forces Inquiries. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 57 together. On 2 February 2006, I received a report from Mr. Seán Hurley, whom I had appointed to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces and the parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th Infantry...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces has a radar capability used for national security and aid to the civil power operations. The main radar capability of the Defence Forces is the Flycatcher radar system. This equipment was procured in 2002 from the Dutch armed forces. It is used to carry out the target acquisition and fire control of the Bofors EL70 40 mm air defence guns. Each radar unit is capable of...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Like all small countries and many large ones, we have limited air defence capability. It has been the experience of large military powers, such as the United States which spends billions of dollars on air space protection systems, that these systems do not give an absolute guarantee of security. Israel is also incurring huge expenditure on air defence but, as was shown during the recent...

Defence Forces Equipment. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility in this matter is with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces merely act as a backup. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has not said such a system is needed to provide proper backup for its work. If such a suggestion were made I would examine it in my Department.