Results 11,181-11,200 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Staff: Defence Forces Staff (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that the individual in question submitted an application for a transfer from the Second Field Artillery Regiment, McKee Barracks, Dublin, to B Company, Third Infantry Battalion, DFTC, in March 2006. The transfer application is being processed through the normal military channels and the individual will be advised of the outcome in due course.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The table below gives a schedule of events that I will attend in an official capacity to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising on Sunday, 16 April 2006. Wreath laying ceremony Kilmainham Gaol 10 a.m. Military Parade Dublin City Centre 11.30 a.m. State Reception Dublin Castle 7 p.m.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The person in question is not eligible for a spouse's pension from my Department because her late husband, who retired from the Defence Forces in 1982, was not a member of the spouses and children's contributory pension scheme for enlisted personnel. He opted out of membership of the scheme on its introduction in 1978 and, when given a second opportunity to join the revised scheme in 1985,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force, RDF, is a volunteer force and, as such, the relationship between members of the reserve and the Department of Defence is not comparable to a normal employer-employee relationship. The reserve is currently undergoing major reorganisation. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blueprint for a new Reserve Defence Force and an implementation plan has been developed...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together. I am very satisfied that military training techniques and equipment, operated by the Air Corps and the Naval Service are up to date in all respects. Air Corps and Naval Service training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them under the White Paper on Defence. Priority is given to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. The Garda Siochána has 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 the Garda in co-operation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I intend to continue the good work in that regard. The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 522 together. I assume the Deputy is referring to discussions on EU battle groups. Discussions with other like-minded nations on a potential contribution by Ireland to a battle group have now commenced. A delegation consisting of representatives from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces met their Swedish counterparts...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 73, 95, 98, 116 and 122 together. 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...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Although the figure of 5% is low, it is in line with international experience. The figures have increased in some of the European states but not by much more than the Irish average. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number of women applying to enlist in the Defence Forces. The percentage of women in the Defence Forces is almost directly proportional to the number...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As I stated, I hope to have the report from the military authorities before 1 June. I will shortly commission research. We are starting the process of meeting the various groups that have written to us and this process will be fully completed by the end of the summer at the latest.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: On the first question, I have been written to on a confidential basis and will therefore not elaborate on the suggestions that have been made. They will emerge very shortly when RACO and PDFORRA talk to the organisations in question. I have not come across an army with no height requirement but I am aware that others have much lower height requirements than ours. I perused the list some...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We already do that to a certain extent. It is safe to say, on looking at the suggestions of the various organisations, that we will be engaged in a more focused campaign aimed specifically at females.

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper sets out a comprehensive programme for the development of defence and the Defence Forces for the period 2000 to 2010. This programme is expressed in terms of policy decisions taken and goals, objectives and plans to be achieved. These include a rebalancing of defence resource allocations achieved through payroll savings and the sales of properties, and the reinvestment of...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There is one major capital project under way at present, that is, the refurbishment of block 7, Connolly Barracks. This project will provide modern accommodation for 99 Defence Forces personnel. On the question of major capital projects planned for this year, it is proposed to upgrade the infantry weapons wing and the NCO school. The upgrade will provide modern office training and ancillary...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We have already allocated the money to upgrade those facilities. I do not know how much of the capital spending comes from funding obtained from the sale of Defence Forces resources: I will let the Deputy know. I imagine the percentage of that spend arising from the sale of property is quite low. We have almost run out of money obtained from property sales and the money being provided now is...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: If considerable space is available, I am sure we will put it to the best possible use.

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I have received very strong representations from Deputy Sherlock on the FCA headquarters in Mallow. I will make immediate inquiries as to what is happening there and communicate with the Deputy in the next day or so.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are no immediate plans to extend the retirement age of officers and other ranks in the Defence Forces. The White Paper on Defence 2000 and the earlier Defence Forces review implementation plan recommended a reduction in retirement ages in an effort to address the age profile and fitness of the Defence Forces. More recently, however, the retirement age for people recruited to the public...

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The statistics for retirement by commandants on age grounds, as opposed to voluntary retirement, show that 26 retired voluntarily in 2000, while only three had reached the age of retirement. In 2001, five retired on age grounds, with 29 retiring voluntarily. That is the trend. Many of the commandants are retiring voluntarily and are not compelled on reaching the stipulated age. In other...