Results 11,821-11,840 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: At this time, I have no plans to bring forward legislation regarding overseas training. When I last spoke in the House on this matter I stated that, to reach the requisite level of interoperability, and taking account of the short timeframes envisaged for the deployment of the EU's rapid reaction elements, it seemed to me that the various forces and elements comprising a battle group would...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy is right about our very long and proud record of service to the United Nations, and I emphasise that it will continue. The battle group concept is that a relatively small force should go in very quickly to stabilise a situation. Later, there would be ordinary UN involvement, and we will of course continue to play a role in that. The Deputy said the concept of the battle groups had...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: On 27 April 1981, an observation post in South Lebanon manned by two members of the Irish battalion serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, Private Hugh Doherty and Private Kevin Joyce — Seoighe — came under attack. Private Doherty was later found dead from gunshot wounds, and Private Seoighe was missing. Some equipment was also missing. The attackers are...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the delegation and will of course ask it to raise the matter with the Palestinian authorities. That said, the Minister for Foreign Affairs raised the matter with the Palestinian authorities quite recently, without any positive conclusion. In a "Léargas" programme, broadcast on RTE on 25 April 2005, Brigadier General Sultan Al Anien indicated that he knew of the burial site of...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I accept that completely. We will continue with our efforts. We had communication from members of the Joyce family in light of current events. That communication is confidential and I do not wish to go into it here. I am arranging for the chief of staff to speak to the family and all our efforts will continue on this matter as the family deserves closure.

Defence Forces Property. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has written to the Irish Aviation Authority to express concerns about possible developments at Weston Aerodrome. The Irish Aviation Authority has not received an airspace change proposal for Weston Aerodrome. If and when the authority receives such a proposal, my Department will be consulted and the matter will be addressed in light of potential implications for the safety and...

Defence Forces Property. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy has some very interesting information and I would appreciate if she would furnish me with copies of the documentation in her possession. The ultimate control of those using airspace or extending an aerodrome rests with the Irish Aviation Authority. This is supposed to be done legally. If someone wishes to extend an aerodrome, he or she must submit an airspace change proposal to the...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate in overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. The conditions, which are known as the triple lock, must be satisfied. The operation must be mandated by the United Nations and it must be approved by the Government and by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann. Section 2 of the Defence...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The question of whether Ireland can participate in EU battle groups within the confines of the triple lock system is under examination by my Department. We intend to identify the obstacles that exist in this regard while ensuring the triple lock is maintained. The feedback I receive from the public indicates there is great confidence in the triple lock mechanism. It provides significant...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Murphy proposes that we replace the requirement that overseas missions must be authorised or established by the UN with more vague criteria. That would involve unlocking one of the three locks of the triple lock and is against my policy.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The European Union, which produces 25% of world GDP and has a population of 450 million, is one of the richest trading blocks in the world. Recognising its wealth, influence and impact on world affairs and conscious of the obligations such a position brings, the Union has committed itself to support, through all the various means at its disposal, international peace and security. The...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (25 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The steering board of the European Defence Agency held its third meeting in Brussels on 2 March 2005. The steering board is the principal decision making body of the agency, on which the 24 participating member states are represented. Denmark is not a member. The meeting, in the formation of national armaments directors, NADs, was chaired on behalf of Javier Solana by Eero Lavonen, the...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (24 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Castlebar military barracks is primarily a reserve Defence Force facility and provides training facilities, office accommodation and storage facilities for Permanent Defence Force cadre and unit personnel of units stationed in the barracks. I have no plans to change the current position, as previously outlined. On 26 July 2004 my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, officially launched the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (19 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To date, a total of 15 schools have been granted permission to use the Curragh swimming pool. Additional applications to use the facility have been received in respect of a further eight schools and a total of nine swimming clubs. It is intended to expand the use of the pool as soon as possible and it is hoped to facilitate those applications at that stage.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (19 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities have been unable to furnish the information sought by the Deputy in the time provided. As soon as the information is available I will forward same to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. A total of 385 personnel, of whom 78 are currently serving in the Department, have declared an interest in relocating to Newbridge. The Office of Public Works is currently in discussions...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Facilities: Defence Forces Facilities (19 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There has been an unprecedented level of expenditure on infrastructure and equipment for the Defence Forces in recent years. This was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, along with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, County Kildare. A site for the Defence Force's headquarters at the Curragh has been selected and preliminary planning in connection with the design of the building has commenced. It is envisaged that the relocation will take place in 2007.

Written Answers — Security Resources: Security Resources (18 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate, for reasons of security, for me to comment on the exact nature of the deployment to Shannon Airport on 10 May 2005. However, it is estimated that the overall cost to the Defence Forces was approximately €28,000.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. Under the Defence Forces pension schemes, the minimum service required for an immediate pension in the case of NCOs and privates is 21 years. The pension for 21 years service consists of the following elements: (a) a basic flat rate pension which varies according to rank; (b) an addition in respect of military service allowance, MSA, in...