Results 11,901-11,920 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, CBRN, training is conducted at cadet and induction level in the Defence Forces. During this training, students are trained and tested in personal nuclear decontamination techniques. In each brigade and the Defence Forces training centre, a CBRN platoon is fully trained in all aspects of nuclear...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 254 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the...

Written Answers — Labour Protection Code: Labour Protection Code (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Over the years PDFORRA has canvassed the idea that a soldier's conditions of employment should largely replicate conditions in the civilian world. However, in a professional military organisation, this approach is simply not practical and this is widely recognised internationally. It is an inherent and overriding principle of military service that personnel are at all times subject to...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, was established in October 2001. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána, and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning. The work of the task force...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Since my appointment on the 29 September 2004, I accompanied President McAleese on her visit to west Africa during the period 13 to 15 December 2004. I attended a General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, meeting in Brussels on 22 November 2004. I have not made any other foreign trips.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The properties disposed of by my Department following the approval by the Government in July 1998 of a programme of evacuation and sale of barracks considered surplus to military requirements are as set out in my reply to Questions Nos. 89, 127 and 393 on 1 March 2005. It is the policy of my Department to dispose of properties surplus to military requirements. In this regard the property...

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 to 252, inclusive, together. The most important defence against terrorist attacks is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda 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, when requested. The...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The refurbishment of residential accommodation is an integral part of my Department's ongoing building programme. Major contracts to improve the standard of accommodation have been placed over the past number of years as part of an ongoing investment programme within the Defence Forces. For example, from 2003 to date, major accommodation upgrades have taken place in McKee and Cathal Brugha...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (21 Apr 2005)

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

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength...

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: All civil servants in public bodies under the aegis of my Department are entitled to 18 weeks' paid maternity leave as provided for in Department of Finance Circulars 35/95 and 09/01. I understand that at present there are no plans to provide an additional eight weeks' paid leave in respect of maternity leave. The cost of additional paid maternity leave would depend on the number and grades...

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The number of civilian and military staff mainly employed on a full

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To date, it has not been necessary to consider the redeployment of staff from other areas to assist with infrastructure projects.

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The capital programme within my Department for 2005 is €25 million, which is 3.3% of the 2005 Defence Estimate. Given the size of the allocation, I am satisfied that the numbers allocated to infrastructure projects are sufficient.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As far as I am concerned, there have been no such meetings or contacts.

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Capital expenditure in my Department has been incurred on infrastructure comprising new buildings, upgrading and refurbishment and communications and information technology. Details of all infrastructure projects costing in excess of €1 million over the past five years are listed in the following schedule. None of the projects was financed in any way by user charges. Consultants with...

Hospital Accommodation. (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not know what Deputy Timmins is talking about. As regards gimmick of the year award, I understand I was granted heckler of the year award, which is a sufficiently dubious distinction in itself. This is not a gimmick. I have been inundated with requests and people talking to me about St. Bricin's in view of the accident and emergency departments crisis. We all agree there is a crisis. St....

Hospital Accommodation. (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Approximately 100 beds could be used in St. Bricin's as there are only four patients there. Deputy Timmins may be concerned about the military holding what it has and the interests of the Defence Forces being served. However, PDFORRA, which represents enlisted troops, issued a statement welcoming the opening up of St. Bricin's for accident and emergency facilities.

Hospital Accommodation. (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, along the lines I suggested. All Ministers can hold on to the empires in their Departments. However, if one is lying on a hospital trolley, different considerations apply. If beds are available, they must be used. I encourage the Department of Health and Children to take up the use of St. Bricin's facilities. It will be more cost effective than the measures being taken to resolve the...

Hospital Accommodation. (21 Apr 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The last costing I received was for €3 million.