Results 10,901-10,920 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Military Archives: Military Archives (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 61 together. The military authorities advise that at present the staff strength of the Military Archives is three, comprising a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer and a private. The military authorities advise me that a strength of 5, including suitably qualified replacements for two retired Officers, is sufficient to meet the current...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It is not generally the practice to sell defensive equipment. Such equipment is normally scrapped when it is considered to be defunct. However, there are a number of categories of equipment that are disposed off. The main category relates to military vehicles. Military vehicles undergo regular maintenance and overhauls to ensure that they are roadworthy and provide value for money service....

Written Answers — Naval Deployments: Naval Deployments (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Naval Service flagship vessel LÉ EITHNE undertook an historic visit to Argentina in February 2006 on foot of an invitation from the Argentine Government, where it participated in celebrations to commemorate the memory of Foxford-born Admiral William Brown, the founder of the Argentine Navy. LÉ EITHNE also visited Brazil and Uruguay as part of her South American deployment, which was the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The revised Cadet competition is now seen as the primary means of commissioning from the ranks. The cadet competition has been revised to increase the maximum entry age to 28 and to award bonus marks to candidates with previous experience in the PDF or RDF. Results for the 2005 cadet competition are encouraging with 14% of PDF and 8% of RDF applicants being successful in obtaining cadetships...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The roles of the Defence Forces, as assigned by Government, are set out in the White Paper on Defence which was published in February 2000. To aid the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, An Garda Síochána, who have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State) is among the assigned roles. The Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: When the difficulty with Dr. Lieberthal's registration came to light the first priority was the welfare of the troops who were attended to by him. The Director of the Medical Corps contacted each person who had served in Liberia during the period in question alerting them to the situation and advising them of the measures the Medical Corps were putting in place to deal with any concerns they...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I felt that the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising would be an appropriate time to show the country's appreciation of the major part played by Veterans of the War of Independence and their spouses in the foundation of the State. Accordingly, I sought and obtained the approval of the Minister for Finance for an increase of 50% in these pensions effective from the 1st April 2006. The...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: During the period 12 to 14 June, 2006, I took the opportunity to pay a short visit to Kosovo where I met with the Irish personnel of 32nd Infantry Battalion serving with the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Irish Defence Forces personnel serving with KFOR and to convey to them, on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. Defence Forces Border operations are undertaken as aid to civil power (ATCP) requests. The Defence Forces also assist the Garda in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Attorney General has advised that there is a constitutional impediment to training of foreign troops in Ireland. As such, there are no plans for training of foreign troops in Ireland. However, as we are not a framework nation, this should not be a problem.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Forces personnel have for many years attended workshops, training courses, desktop exercises, seminars and other events overseas as part of their military training and will continue to do this. The Defence Forces have also attended training courses and workshops under PfP PARP, the purpose of which is to learn from best practice in other Defence Forces and includes improving the level...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland's Presentation Document for participation in PfP was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 November, 1999 and, following Dáil approval, Ireland joined PfP on 1 December, 1999. Ireland also participates in the PfP Planning and Review Process (known as PARP). In common with the other EU neutrals, Ireland is using the PARP process in connection with planning for humanitarian and rescue tasks,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210, 211, 215 and 217 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment...

Written Answers — Cash Escorts: Cash Escorts (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I had a number of discussions with the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) in relation to this matter last year, with a view to increasing the level of contribution by the Banks in respect of the costs incurred by the Department in the provision of Cash Escorts. Following detailed and intensive discussions between officials of the IBF, the member Banks and the Department, a detailed formal...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 218 and 219 together. An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from terrorism are continuously monitored by them in cooperation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Accommodation: Defence Forces Accommodation (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Personnel on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force are obliged to vacate married quarters within a short period of the dates of their discharge. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married personnel have an equal claim on such housing as other members of the community in the same income category. My Department is continuing to examine all...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities specifically in relation to Search and Rescue. The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue Region, and the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard in this regard as the need arises and within...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. Reports conducted internally Year Published Report Cost € 2002 Department of Defence Annual Report 2001 € 7,602.41 Defence Forces Annual Report 2001 €19,025.00 2003 Defence Forces Annual Report 2002 €14,785.00 Department of Defence Annual Report 2002 €...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A total of 16,760 claims have been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. Of the claims, 15,605 have been disposed of, leaving a total of 1,155 outstanding. Some €280.9 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims, including €95 million in plaintiffs' legal...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with Deputy Costello that it is a fairly hefty percentage but these were party and party fees. In other words, if the costs were granted against the defendant, he would have been obliged by the Taxing Master to pay them if he was unhappy with the amount. These fees were barely sufficient to enable the plaintiff pursue his legal claim. The 145 complaints are from people whose fees were...