Results 11,201-11,220 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We will keep the matter under review.

Overseas Missions. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Following a request from the United Nations, the EU is examining the provision of a supporting operation, under an EU flag, for MONUC, the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Various options for the mission are being considered within the EU, which has indicated that it is positively disposed towards supporting MONUC. Fact-finding missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo and...

Overseas Missions. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I will answer the Deputy's last question first. If Irish troops are committed, it is envisaged that the mission will last approximately four months. I appreciate the Deputy's comments regarding the security situation on the ground. The Deputy will appreciate that a heavy force is already in the Democratic Republic of Congo. MONUC consists of almost 17,000 appropriately armed troops. The...

Overseas Missions. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am delighted Deputy Sherlock takes that view because I also believe it is a vital mechanism and should be maintained. Deputy Gormley agrees, meaning there is virtual unanimity in the House that it should be so, and I assure him that every time Irish troops are committed abroad the requirements of the triple lock will be rigidly adhered to. The first element of the triple lock involves a...

Overseas Missions. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: All three elements of the triple lock apply when more than 12 troops are committed overseas. When there are less than 12, two elements apply and they have been applied in this case.

Defence Forces Deployment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána, which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain...

Defence Forces Deployment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the incident to which Deputy Gormley refers. I do not have much detail on it but believe it was a minor incident. In such situations the Garda Síochána requests the assistance of the Army, which is entitled to go to the aid of the civil power, namely the Garda, when they are in need of assistance. The Garda made such a request in this case, as is normal when a Head of State,...

Defence Forces Deployment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I said the Army, including the Rangers.

Defence Forces Deployment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It does.

Defence Forces Deployment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It entails a number of elements. First, the medical fallout will be dealt with by the Department of Health and Children, which has an emergency public health plan to deal with such situations. The Army and the Garda Síochána have had specific training to deal with such an eventuality. It is impossible for me to guarantee we can successfully prevent a terrorist attack. Larger countries than...

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The role of the Defence Forces is set out in the White Paper on Defence. The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. Arising from the White Paper the primary role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a...

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I spoke to officials in my Department today about the replacement of the three ships. Arrangements are being put in place to effect this. We must decide if we are to replace like with like or introduce new ships. I do not know how many civil servants deal specifically with the Naval Service but most of them probably also deal with other issues. I will retrieve the information and revert to...

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I appreciate the confidence Deputy Timmins has in my ability to wrest extra responsibility from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In that case Deputy Timmins can do it himself. He wishes that I do the work for him. The White Paper was designed to run from 2000 to 2009. I will consider producing another when the present paper has run its course. Many initiatives are contained in this paper, such as the reserve, and these will not be completed until 2009. When the present White Paper has been implemented, another...

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I work through one plan before moving on to the next one.

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The steering board of the European Defence Agency, EDA, met in Defence Ministers formation in Innsbruck, Austria, on 7 March 2006 and one of the items discussed was the need for a new mechanism for joint investment in research and technology projects. The EDA is proposing to establish a category A or opt-out programme with an associated budget. The first area of joint work being considered is...

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In his question Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to this matter being decided in Innsbruck on 6 and 7 March. This is incorrect. No decision was taken. It was discussed in a general way and the view around the table was that it will have to be teased out more before any decision, even a decision in principle, is taken. If a decision is taken at the May meeting or a subsequent meeting to go ahead...

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I presume Deputy Ó Snodaigh suggests that if it is decided in Innsbruck to develop the concept, before we opt in I should bring it back to the Oireachtas.

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Okay.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I have not received any representations from nor have I had meetings with any representatives of the Open Republic Institute.