Results 2,121-2,140 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: In his early sentences, Deputy Deenihan outlined the difficulty, namely, how to address a problem while at the same time staying at arm's length and remaining within the provisions of the law, which is a somewhat tricky assignment. I would be very concerned if the view were the one that has been expressed to him, namely, that matters are getting worse, which would be most unwelcome. My...

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: That is a substantial consideration in the current economic climate. I presume the quote read out the Deputy is a personal view of a person whom I do not know-----

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: -----and with whom I would strongly disagree. I have had an opportunity to examine the record of the previous Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, in this regard. Frankly, I do not believe I could have done any better, considering the issues he was trying to address and the constraints he was forced to operate within.

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: With regard to the question of the chair, it was not a matter that had been abandoned. Considerable work had been done by Deputy O'Dea in many areas regarding this issue, and I will not go back to the start but will benefit from that work. On all sides of the House, we agree that the International Red Cross and, by extension, the Irish Red Cross has a particularly positive standing and has...

Irish Red Cross Society. (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I welcome the comments by Deputies O'Shea and Deenihan and agree with both in many respects. Ultimately, the logic of what Deputy O'Shea said in regard to State involvement cannot be argued against. That is a direction that may or may not be possible within the legal parameters that are currently in place under that Act, which, as the Deputy says, dates from a particular era and reflects...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently in progress following the commencement of a tender competition in 2007. The competition sought tenders for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), with an option for a third, and one Extended Patrol Vessel (EPV), with an option for a second. The process comprised two stages – Stage 1, a Request for Proposals and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 69, 82, 91, 180 and 181 together. In reply to earlier Priority Questions, I have dealt comprehensively with the decision by the Government on 30 March 2010 to withdraw the Irish contingent from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and the reasons for that decision. I can assure the House that it was not a decision...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Force Review Implementation Plan both identified the requirement to address the age profile in the Defence Forces. The key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary of the 1916 Rising met on Wednesday, 2 December, 2009 for discussions and site visits to Glasnevin Cemetery and the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks to view projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 Rising. In the discussion, the Group were informed of recent developments and events including:- Arbour Hill...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 75 together. A number of Israeli companies have won orders for defensive equipment in recent years as a result of tender competitions. Since 2005, the Department has purchased small arms ammunition, X-Ray equipment for Explosive Ordnance Disposal duties (EOD), helmets for personal protection, an Artillery Fire Control System, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps, dwelling houses and training lands. The principal assets are 23 permanently occupied barracks. The Department also owns 26 premises that are used by the Reserve Defence Forces. A further 51 properties are rented for use by the Reserve. At present there are 4 barracks...

Written Answers — Army Operations: Army Operations (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. Requests made by an Garda Síochána for assistance in dealing...

Written Answers — Army Operations: Army Operations (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 72 together. The formal five-year agreement made between the IBF, its member Banks and the Department of Defence which was signed by the Minister for Defence in 2005, provides that the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of cash escorts. Costs in respect of each 12-month period to end-December are paid the...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I wish to confirm that I have recently received a copy of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board's Draft Report into the sinking of the sail training vessel, Asgard II. The report is currently being considered in the Department and my Department will submit any observations it may have by the due date of 27 April 2010.

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue, (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to Search and Rescue. In this regard, the Air Corps...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I have been informed by the military authorities that, within the current budget, the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) programme of training for 2010 will include Unit nightly parades, weekend training field days, annual summer camps and career courses for reservists. The provision in the current year for Reserve Defence Force Pay etc. is €4.7 million. This amount includes €2.478 million for...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The size of the Reserve Defence Force in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (as at 31 March 2010, the latest date for which figures are available), as advised by the Military Authorities, is set out in the tabular statement below. The percentage decline during that period, a total of 2,014 personnel, equates to just under 24%. Year Total RDF Strength 2007 8,408 2008 7,671 2009 6,644 2010 (as at...

Written Answers — Air Corps Operations: Air Corps Operations (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) currently comprises two EC 135 helicopters and one Defender 4000 fixed-wing aircraft. Air Corps personnel have responsibility for all matters relating to the servicing and maintenance of the Defender 4000. The servicing and maintenance of the two GASU helicopters are contracted to a private company. All issues in relation to this contract are a matter for...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: Resulting from the Government Decision regarding the reduction of public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment, promotions and acting up appointments in the Permanent Defence Forces were suspended. However, in order to maintain the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces, a limited number of exceptions to the application of the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Patrols: Naval Service Patrols (21 Apr 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 89 together. 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 Programme. As part of this process and to achieve a reduction in current expenditure, the Minister for...