Results 11,121-11,140 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I did not travel abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Written Answers — Accident Investigations: Accident Investigations (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities maintained a significant degree of liaison with the person referred to and other family members in the aftermath of the tragic disappearance of the member of the Naval Service referred to. The person and the family were kept informed of events. The services of the military personnel support service were offered to the family who have been assured they will be informed...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that the contract for the supply of bread to military barracks nationwide was held by Gallagher's Bakery, Ardara, County Donegal, for the year ended 30 November 2005. Following a tender competition the contract for the period 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006 was awarded to Irish Pride, 151 Thomas Street, Dublin 2. A tender was submitted by Gallagher's Bakery but it was...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I assume the Deputy is referring to the airspace change proposal submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority by Weston Airport Limited in 2005, which includes the use of instrument navigation aids to assist the arrival and departure of aircraft in accordance with instrument flight rules. Use of these landing aids would result in flight paths which would penetrate military airspace. The Irish...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The person referred to initiated legal proceedings in this matter in 1997. I cannot comment in regard to any substantive issues in this case. The person would be best advised to consult his legal representatives regarding the status of his claim.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The number of applications received for positions in the Permanent Defence Force in 2005 was 2,472. Of this figure 1,125 were for general service enlistment, 296 for the apprenticeships competitions, 1,004 for the cadetship competition and a further 47 were for direct entry specialist competitions. In 2005 a total number of 479 successful applicants took up positions in the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Medical Services: Medical Services (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 937 to 939, inclusive, together. The Medical Corps is a combat support service corps of the Defence Forces. The core objective of the Medical Corps is to maximise the medical readiness of the Defence Forces for operational activities and to provide field medical support to brigade structured Defence Forces. The mission of the Medical Corps is to ensure and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 940 to 943, inclusive, together. The Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate General has been disestablished since October 2004 and replaced by two independent offices, namely, the Office of the Director of the Defence Forces Legal Service and Director of Military Prosecutions, and the Office of the Judge Advocate. The Office of the Director of the Legal Service...

Written Answers — Travel Expenses: Travel Expenses (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The long-standing practice in the public service is that persons may not be recompensed for expenses entailed in travelling to and from their normal work location.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces, the Gleeson commission, MSA was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. As I have previously indicated to the House, this approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of...

Written Answers — Departmental Files: Departmental Files (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of making the Department's files relating to pension and medal applications of persons who took part in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence more widely available is being examined at present.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are 14 members of staff in my Department who are able to provide services through Irish. This represents 4% of the overall staff in my Department. My Department is engaged in devising a scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003 to enhance services to our customers in Irish.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (5 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Last July, while visiting Mellows barracks in Galway, I spoke of my desire to see more women applying to join the Defence Forces. I indicated then that, while much was already being done to encourage more women to apply, I intended to review the measures in place with a view to maximising the number of women applicants to the Defence Forces. At that time, I pointed out that the number of...

Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The press council will be included in the defamation Bill.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Easter Rising of 1916 will be commemorated by a military parade in Dublin on Sunday, 16 April. Preparations for the parade, as announced by the Taoiseach last October, are being made by the Defence Forces. Approximately 2,500 personnel representing all branches of the forces, together with representatives of ex-service personnel and veterans of UN service, will be included. The parade...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that there has been a 3% target for employing people with disabilities in the Civil Service since 1994. The definition of a person with a disability for the purposes of the 3% target is the positive action definition set out in the Code Of Practice for the Civil Service, 1994. In that context, the term "people with disabilities" means people with a physical, sensory...

Written Answers — Military Intelligence: Military Intelligence (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces perform complementary roles regarding the protection of the security of the State, and there is ongoing and close liaison. However, it has never been the policy for the Minister for Defence to comment publicly on such matters. I do not intend to depart from that policy on this occasion.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There were no employees of this Department on suspension with pay as of 31 December 2004 and 31 December 2005.

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (29 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. There are some 70 monuments and places listed for the Curragh under the Record of Monuments and Places, as established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. The Curragh itself is classified as a recorded monument under the Act and my Department ensures that the terms of that Act are adhered to before any works...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 59, 74, 88, 115 and 119 together. During the period 28 February 2006 to 2 March 2006 I took the opportunity to pay a short visit to Liberia where I met the Irish personnel of 94th infantry battalion, United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Defence Forces personnel serving with UNMIL...