Results 11,661-11,680 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The most important defence against any terrorist attack is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning, in practice, to assist the Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The various components of the Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland is currently contributing approximately 749 Defence Forces personnel to 19 different missions throughout the world. The main commitments are to: the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, with 413 personnel; the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo, with 210 personnel; and EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 54 personnel. Other personnel...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The case to which the Deputies refer is that of Private Kevin Barrett, who died on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th infantry battalion in Lebanon. I avail of this opportunity to express my sympathy to the family of Private Barrett on their sad loss. The death of Private Barrett was the subject of a UN board of inquiry and an Irish...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I share the concern of the Deputies but I prefer to meet Mrs. Barrett to hear what she has to say. I do not need Deputy Timmins to tell me what she thinks. In respect of the inquiry, sometimes it is impossible to ascertain the circumstances in which someone died. In this case there have been inquiries by the UN, the Irish army and a three day inquest. In none of those cases was there a...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, but it did not conclude if it was accidental or deliberate.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To answer Deputy Sherlock first, the lady in question did not seek to meet me. I initiated the contact with her and I will meet her next week. The inquest finished just last Tuesday fortnight. There has been no avoidable delay on my part. I initiated the contact with Mrs. Barrett. I wish to correct the record of the House. Deputy Timmins is absolutely wrong in the implications in his...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy implied that it was not released. It was.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As an ex-Army officer, Deputy Timmins should know that United Nations boards of inquiry are internal documents of the United Nations. They are made available to state authorities on condition that they cannot be released or made public in any way, including for judicial proceedings. However, with the agreement of the United Nations, a copy of that part of the UN board of inquiry entitled...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy said as clear as a bell would I not trigger an inquiry from a casual glance at the information.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I will have another inquiry if I deem it necessary and having studied the matter properly, not in a casual manner, because it is not a case that should be dealt with in a casual manner.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It has been given to them. A copy of the Defence Forces contingent board of inquiry has already been released to the Barrett family's legal team. I will inquire how long it took to release it or whether there was an undue delay.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I repeat I will initiate any inquiries and seek the support and help of anyone to pursue these inquiries. However, there will be such inquiries as I determine are warranted having studied fully all the evidence and information available in the case.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 5 and 165 together. The background to the rapid response elements concept, commonly referred to as battle groups, is that at the European Council in Helsinki in 1999, member states set themselves a headline goal that by the year 2003, co-operating together and voluntarily, they would be able to deploy rapidly and then sustain forces capable of the full...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the report. I anticipated the Attorney General's office would be a bit speedier than it has proved to be. However, I expect to hear from the Attorney General next week and there will be no avoidable delay in bringing the matter to Cabinet. Second, Deputy Gormley is absolutely wrong. He could not be more wrong even to imagine that I would abandon the triple lock method. I am...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I said on several occasions in this House, and I repeat today, that we understand the rationale of battle groups, rapid reaction in modern warfare and terrorism conditions, and we will participate provided we can do so while at the same holding onto the triple lock.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As I outlined to the House on a number of occasions, there are some difficulties, particularly about Irish troops travelling abroad and the requirement for Dáil approval, a UN mandate, etc. This applies currently when people travel abroad to participate in peacekeeping if the number is more than 12 and they are under arms. I do not wish to anticipate the report but it may be necessary, for...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have not received the report because the Attorney General has not forwarded his advice which will underpin the report. However, I expect that advice will be available next week. I did not say that legislative change would not be necessary. I said a legislative amendment will probably be necessary.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes. That is my opinion but I must await the advice of the Attorney General. There is no conflict between me and the Minister for Foreign Affairs or any other Minister on this matter. We are all ad idem in our commitment to the triple lock, and our determination to respond to the entreaties of the United Nations and its Secretary General and the demands of international peacekeeping by...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not wish to anticipate what the report will suggest. I am confident I will have the report and I will be in position to go to Cabinet before we meet again for Question Time. We will discuss what, if anything, the report proposes by way of legislative amendment at that point.

Emergency Planning. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government task force on emergency planning last met on Tuesday, 20 September 2005. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda, and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning. The work of the task force continues and there have...