Results 10,461-10,480 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together. UNIFIL was originally established on 19 March 1978 under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, following the invasion of Lebanon by Israel. Its mandate was "to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, to restore international peace and security and to assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In respect of the numbers, I cannot recall any specific statement to the effect we planned to send 200 troops. I believe the phrase used was "up to 200".

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: It was a maximum of 200 troops. As the Deputy is aware, this is a joint operation with the Finns. We took advice from the Finnish armed forces as to the kind of detail they required of us. The number arrived at comes to 157 troops, in addition to the five personnel who were already there and the Finns regard this to be quite sufficient. As for the task itself, in essence the Finnish...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: As for the question on rations, my information is that for the first few days after the contingent's arrival, essentially they consisted of cold food or prepacked rations. In addition however, I am informed that certain foods were purchased locally and the rations were supplemented by some foodstuffs imported from Ireland. I can provide the Deputy with more details in this regard. After...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The period from 1 November to 6 December is only five weeks.

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: It was a period of five weeks from 31 October. This is not unreasonable as it takes some time to get such facilities up and running. The hot food to which Deputy Costello refers is provided from within the camp. It is not as though Lebanon is the sort of place in which one encounters people selling hamburgers and hot dogs on the side of the street. It is somewhat too dangerous for such...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy's tastes are more exotic than mine.

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: That might not be to everyone's taste.

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Limerick has quietened down considerably. This is the position. Incidentally, I have monitored this issue closely and have been assured by the Chief of Staff and the top Army brass that all is hunky-dory in respect of the food in Lebanon and that the troops are extremely happy with their fare.

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of Mr. Clark's statement. We must bear in mind that the Irish are not directly involved in clearing the unexploded ordnance. Clearing that ordnance is the Finn's task and the Irish are merely providing protection for them while they are doing so. It appears the necessary co-operation is not in place. We would prefer if the Israelis had been more co-operative. The Irish...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In February 2006 the Chief of Staff appointed Colonel Tom Behan to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush. I accepted the findings of his report and addressed the matter during Priority Questions on 16 November 2006. I reiterate my congratulations to Colonel Behan for the time and effort he has expended in researching this sensitive and harrowing episode in Irish military history. The...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: All staff in the Department of Defence and its Agencies earn in excess of the current national minimum wage, and there are no staff earning just one euro above the current national minimum wage. All other details requested by the Deputy are in the table below: The number of staff who are employed by contractors to his Department currently earning the national minimum wage 5 The number...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In February 2006 the Chief of Staff appointed Col. Tom Behan to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush. I accepted the findings of his Report and addressed the matter during Priority Questions on 16 November 2006. I would like to reiterate my congratulations to Col. Behan for the time and effort he has expended in researching this sensitive and harrowing episode in Irish Military History....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The details requested by the Deputy are as follows: Grade Salary Scale Special Advisor €80,408–€99,457 Personal Assistant €43,445–€55,147 Personal Secretary €21,632–€41,736 Executive Officer €30,027–€47,641 Staff Officer €32,606–€43,536 Clerical Officer €21,625–€35,071 Clerical Officer €22,633–€35,830 Clerical Officer × 2 €22,766–€36,913

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The details regarding personnel in the Department of Defence Press Office are as follows: Grade Salary Scale Press Advisor €80,408–€99,457 Press Officer — Assistant Principal €61,755–€77,003 Executive Officer €28,523–€47,039 In addition to dealing with media related matters on behalf of the Minister and the Department, the Press Office is also responsible for dealing...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities have advised that no readily available or centralised data set of information exists on the number of personnel who were called before a Medical Board prior to 1 April 2006. I do not believe that the costs or inconvenience of collating this material for a full five-year period would be merited or justifiable. However, I can provide details of the total numbers of...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: On 20 December, 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for six months to assist the Interim Afghanistan Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. The authorisation of ISAF has been extended by the UN Security Council since then. NATO assumed the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 31 December 2006, the latest date for which detailed figures are available, as advised by the military authorities was 10,477. A detailed breakdown of the numbers in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by rank and gender are in the form of the following Tabular Statement. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation, announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement on 3 December 2003, provides for the transfer of all of my Department's Dublin based civil service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. A total of 338 personnel, of which 60 are from within the Department, have opted to move to...

Written Answers — Comhfhreagras Rannach: Comhfhreagras Rannach (31 Jan 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Ní choimeádtar staidreamh maidir leis an achair a thógann sé freagra a thabhairt ar chomhfhreagras, mar ní bheadh sé praiticiúil é sin a dhéanamh. Tá polasaí na Roinne seo maidir le freagra a thabhairt ar chomhfhreagras leagtha amach in ár Seirbhís do Chustaiméirí: Plean Gníomhartha 2004-2007 agus in ár gCairt do Chustaiméirí chomh maith. Déanann an Roinn seo, 'admháil...