Results 2,401-2,420 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: There are two categories for which that is practical, the first being the general recruitment category. The second is in those cases where, from time to time, specialists such as accountants, solicitors and so on may be required. It would be wise to have recourse to the private sector generally in recruiting those staff, and I have no objection in principle to external recruitment. The...

Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: There are approximately 350 staff; I will come back to the Deputy with the exact figure.

Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 58 and 62 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN stand-by arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. With regard to future deployments, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in regard to participation in various missions, and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When...

Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The second question is somewhat specialised. Irish troops will participate in the Nordic battle group later this year when they go out to a location in Sweden in September. In regard to the lead-in period one would envisage, one of the surprising elements if one looks back historically at Ireland's involvement in UN missions is that on virtually no occasion, when a mission ended, could one...

Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: It is a massive logistical undertaking to take out all the troops and equipment and then to have to send them back again. When one considers the type of over-land route that must be traversed in the case of Chad, with virtually no roads whatever, it is a huge undertaking. It would be difficult to be enthusiastic about engaging in it, but if the need arose and the UN were to make a request,...

Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: We have an opportunity at the moment to prepare seriously for the deployment of a battalion in some entirely new location. It is difficult to do that when there are troops on various overseas missions, as was the case during the period of the Chad deployment. We now have an opportunity to do something we have not been able to do for some time. In general terms, the turnover in Chad was on...

Defence Forces Property (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 70 together. The Defence Forces property portfolio is kept under ongoing review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. This includes ongoing review of the organisation, structure and formation of the forces and the consequential requirement for military barracks...

Defence Forces Property (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: If the only considerations were value for money, operational flexibility, management of resources and so on, there would be a compelling case for consolidation into a relatively small number of locations. However, other considerations arise with regard to deployment of the Defence Forces. Any move would have associated costs. A balance must be struck and consideration must be given to the...

Defence Forces Property (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I have held several meetings with community groups, local authorities and educational authorities with regard to some of these locations. I am well disposed to accommodating them where possible. I must be careful not to set a precedent which could be used against the Department's better interests, especially financially, with regard to some potential outcomes. I am familiar with one case,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Jul 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 — Ordnance Disposal: Ordnance Disposal (7 Jul 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 — Defence Forces Policy: Defence Forces Policy (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Renewed Programme for Government sets out the commitment for the preparation of a new White Paper on Defence, for the period 2011 to 2020. Preliminary work has commenced and I intend bringing a memorandum to Government in the near future. This will outline the proposed approach in advance of formally launching the process. The new White Paper will build upon the first white paper on...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 49, 61 and 75 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 a charitable organisation with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. Membership of the Central Council is by way of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The amount provided for Departmental travel and subsistence costs in the 2009 Defence Estimate was €396,000 while actual expenditure was €286,000. This saving was achieved through prudent management in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible, and to a lower than anticipated requirement for non-EU foreign travel. In addition, home subsistence and motor...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence initiated a tender competition in 2009 for the supply of Surveillance and Target Acquisition equipment for four out of a total of twenty-seven Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles being supplied by BAE Systems in South Africa. Following a detailed evaluation of tenders, the contract for the award of the equipment, with a value of €2.37m inclusive of VAT, was awarded...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The amount provided for printing, binding and stationery services in subhead A.5 of the 2009 Defence estimate was €70,000 while actual expenditure was €36,000. Expenditure in 2009 was kept to the absolute minimum in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible. The corresponding amount provided in the 2010 Estimate is €100,000, and includes provision for...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The drug in question is considered one of the most effective anti-malaria drugs for the type of malaria our troops were exposed to in Chad and Central African Republic. Troops being administered the drug are informed of its effects and its use is closely monitored by the military medical authorities. The Military Authorities have assured me that they are fully aware of the drug's potential...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 78 together. Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 May 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,809 comprising 7,996 Army, 795 Air Corps and 1,018 Naval Service. Of this total number, 9,246 were male and 563 were female. Of the 563 female personnel, 460 were serving in the Army, 33 in the Air Corps and 70 in the Naval...

Written Answers — Military Ranges: Military Ranges (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Military Ranges are highly utilised by the Defence Forces and, when available, An Garda Síochána in achieving both training objectives and operational commitments, quite often at short notice. Therefore, affording civilian clubs or associations access, limited or otherwise, to military ranges would not be in the best interest of the Defence Forces or indeed the security of the State....