Results 11,241-11,260 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (28 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In the White Paper on defence, the Government decided that the Naval Service will be developed around the provision of an eight-ship flotilla. In recent years, two new ships have been delivered to the Naval Service and the service is operating with the recommended eight ships. The total cost of the two ships was €50 million. Both ships have proved to be tremendous assets to the Naval...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (28 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Entry to the Naval Service is either through the cadetship competition, general service enlistment or direct entry competitions which are held form time to time to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. A specified maximum upper age limit applies to each entry stream. For the cadetship competition the upper age limit is under 28 years of age on 1 October in the competition year and for...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (28 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 489 together. My Department currently holds the house and lands at the location in question, comprising an area of 4.83 acres in all, under lease. Over the years, the Department has received approaches regarding the disposal of its interest in the property and discussions in this regard are ongoing. Such discussions, however, may not come to fruition...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is as set out in the following table: Grade Purpose Location Higher Executive Officer Secretary to Coiste an Asgard Coiste an Asgard Executive Officer Initial setting up of new office for the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces Office of the Ombudsman for Defence Forces Clerical Officer Partnership Liaison Officer CPSU Head Office Technical...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I plan to discuss the contents of the reports with my officials, the Army and the representative organisations RACO and PDFORRA. I have no problem with publishing their contents at that stage. I expect the discussions to take place shortly. The internal debate on the medical barrier to further reducing the height requirements for female applicants continues. As Deputy Timmins states, medical...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Private Kevin Barrett died on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th infantry battalion in Lebanon. His death was the subject of a UN board of inquiry and an Irish contingent board of inquiry as well as a military police investigation. The coroner for north-west Donegal also held an inquest into the death of Private Barrett from 5 to 8 September 2005. The jury in the inquest returned an...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Concerning Deputy Sherlock's first question, it is my intention to implement the recommendations in the Hurley report. The majority of the report concerns the interaction between the family, the Department and the Army. Some improvements had been made since 2001 but Mr. Hurley recommends further changes and these will be implemented. I discussed these with the Chief of Staff as recently as...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 52 and 166 together. The Easter Rising of 1916 will be commemorated by a military parade in Dublin on Sunday, 16 April 2006. 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...

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: That is not an appropriate question in this regard.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: For a change.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The question is about the celebrations.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: That is not an appropriate question.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A relevant one for a change.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: For a change.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The question was about the organisation of the 1916 celebrations and I intend to confine my reply to that matter specifically. I outlined already to Deputy Gormley those who will march in the parade. It will be Defence Forces, ex-servicemen, United Nations veterans and members of the police in recognition of their service abroad. As I do not fall into any of those categories, ipso facto I...

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I stated that I tried to organise it for this week but due to the Labour Party's spokesperson being unavailable, for understandable reasons, it will take place next week instead.

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am sure people of all persuasions and religious beliefs and none will be able to join in celebrating the sacrifice of the men of 1916. In so far as celebrating the other traditions, we will also have a commemoration for the people who died in the battle of the Somme in the first week of July. The Government will be represented on the annual national remembrance day as usual. I agree with...

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for her support and I take her point. As it is unfortunately only a one-day event the military parade will be the centrepiece. Other events will include the wreath-laying ceremony at Kilmainham Gaol. There will also be an opportunity for a social occasion in the afternoon for invitees and relatives of those who participated. We will meet them and they will be...

Commemorative Events. (23 Feb 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I have no objection.