Results 2,101-2,120 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Overseas Missions. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy O'Shea for his good wishes. He has the advantage of having had the benefit of a visit to Chad. The Deputy is correct that the strength of the Chadian military has been increased. The Government's preference was to have been able to continue in the MINURCAT mission. It is true, however, that considerable improvements have taken place and the impact of Irish and other United...

Overseas Missions. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I assure the House that our standing with the United Nations remains high. There are strong indications that we will receive further requests for assistance from the UN. As I indicated, Irish troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina will remain in the country for a much longer period than anticipated. They were due to return to Ireland in July but will now remain until the end of the year, assuming...

Overseas Missions. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I share the Deputy's concerns and his views on what should be done. Much would depend on the type of mandate operated by the UN. The current mission is under a Chapter VII mandate, which brings some freedoms and some restrictions. There are suggestions that any future mandate is likely to be under Chapter VI, which removes the role considerably further away from the direction Deputy O'Shea...

Defence Forces Deployment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: As part of the Estimates process for 2010, the Department sought to implement measures which would bring about the savings, or the equivalent thereof, as identified in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes. As part of this process and to achieve a reduction in current expenditure, the Minister for Defence proposed a cut to the Naval Service...

Defence Forces Deployment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: We all share Deputy Deenihan's concern about the impact of drugs in our society. A substantial proportion is imported by sea and unfortunately, the people involved in this business have found all sorts of ways to get the narcotics into the country. Patrolling per se is not a hugely important part of the system for detecting the arrival or the possible importation of drugs. As electronic...

Defence Forces Deployment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: If we do not, I will find a way to include a bit of it in the preceding reply.

Defence Forces Deployment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I think we will reach the question, as there are only four more before it. As regards the Naval Service's joint operations annually, in 2006 there were three operations where the Naval Service was called in. In 2007, the figure was five, in 2008 it was also five and in 2009 it was two. I do not have an approximate value for the drugs found on those occasions, but I will try to get it for...

Defence Forces Deployment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: To revert to the Deputy's original point, I agree with him that there is a deterrent value in having ships on the ocean waves and that it recognised. In practice, however, because of the nature of electronic surveillance, as well as Garda and customs service information, it is more common that it is the genesis of a report. Naval patrols are, of course, conscious of suspicious movements of...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: Deputy O'Shea is right in that we all have to contend with the difficulties thrown up by the current economic situation. However, as I explained in the original answer, the Department and the military authorities are discussing exactly where the most serious need arises. There is a requirement within the Army itself and there are also specialist roles in the Naval Service and Air Corps. We...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I accept the point made by Deputy Deenihan with regard to the 2007 programme for Government. It is true that things have changed very dramatically in economic terms since then. The McCarthy report recommended a reduction in numbers from 10,500 to 10,000 and that has been agreed. In response to Deputy O'Shea, when we start recruiting, we should in the initial phase try to ensure people are...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: There would not be an appreciable saving in the event of a delay of a month or so and that should not be a consideration. Recruitment should be targeted at areas where the most immediate need arises. While I am well disposed to the idea of panels, I realise one of their major downsides is the uncertainty of recruitment. In one year 50 people might be recruited from a panel, in another year...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I agree with Deputy Deenihan that a number of people will leave and that this must be taken into account in the context of the recruitment campaign. This would give additional flexibility in areas where there are particular needs. I am not in a position to give any advice with regard to the issue of the gratuity. It is one of the great imponderables with regard to the public sector...

Defence Forces Medical Services. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 88 together. The PA report assessed the current arrangements for the provision of medical services and proposed a model for future delivery of those services. The consultants recommended a programme of major change. The high level recommendations include a centralised command structure for the Medical Corps and the creation of a medical services...

Defence Forces Medical Services. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I will take the final point first. I agree with Deputy Deenihan that the single medical command structure with a line officer at colonel level will have a positive bearing on the quality of service provided. As I stated in my reply, it is already being done with regard to the appointment of the line officer. Deputy Deenihan also made the point that some of the recommendations could be...

Defence Forces Medical Services. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The agreement reached at steering group level is an important development. It is very hard to ascribe a timeframe in a situation such as this where a steering group and various sub-groups are reporting. However, the fact that it has approved a high-level organisation unit to include a line officer at the level of colonel is very important because it is central to delivering on many other...

Defence Forces Strength. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes. I am advised by the...

Defence Forces Strength. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I do not have information on the final question at this point. However, I will inform the Deputies as soon as that information becomes available. To the best of my recollection there are approximately 100 people in acting-up posts and perhaps approximately 50 promotions to address parity, operational and command requirements. If that is incorrect I will come back to the Deputy in that...

Defence Forces Strength. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I expect the review will be completed by the end of May, which is not a very long time away. An overall structure then needs to be agreed with the Department of Finance. The Deputy is correct that that could have implications for the kind of recruitment that would be undertaken. If that were to be a long drawn out process I would be unhappy if the impact were to delay ordinary recruitment,...

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 67, 70, 87, and 96 together. The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act 1938. The society is an independent charitable organisation with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. Membership of the central...