Results 2,521-2,540 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Defence Forces Personnel (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The issue of the medication affecting fertility has not been brought to my notice at any point. I can have that matter checked for the Deputy. I understand that the blood test is carried out in the main to establish whether there would be any impacts of side effects from the potential effects of Lariam on the liver. With regard to the prescribing of the medication, all personnel departing...

Defence Forces Personnel (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am aware of the fact that the US army has ceased using Lariam. I understand there may be two reasons for that. The first is that many of its soldiers may not be operating in areas where there is a risk of contracting malaria. My understanding is that the vast majority of armies which are deployed in sub-Saharan Africa in particular and in areas where the risk of contracting malaria from...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: 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 Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I have no control over the review but Deputy Stanton is correct about the issue of morale. The employment control framework, ECF, plays a significant role in this and should be dealt with as quickly as possible. I expect the review's requirements to be undertaken as quickly a possible and given full attention. Until the review is presented to me, I am not in a position to proceed, however....

Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The majority of those in acting-up positions are paid. The review will identify the structures and posts needed to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces. Given the overall reduction of numbers in the Permanent Defence Force, some reduction in the number of officer and NCO posts is inevitable. I appreciate it can be frustrating for the Deputies opposite but it is difficult...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: That may be the case. The Deputy is correct the bulk of the work has been done with the ECF and it reflects the downsizing of numbers and the modernisation process. As soon as the review is completed and approved by me, people will be brought into most of the positions in question.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: That is one tactic I have learned in this post.

Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The function of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is to act as the ultimate point of appeal for and administrative investigation into complaints made by members and former members of the Defence Forces against other members or former members of the Defence Forces or against a civil servant of the Department of Defence. The ombudsman may investigate a complaint in respect of an action or...

Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: There is a philosophical aspect to the Deputy's question as to whether the ombudsman is the final arbiter which we should not get into. The first recommendation in 2010 was received on 13 May 2010, the last on 4 October 2010. These are relatively new and some work must be done on them. Some decisions and determinations have been made in 2010 relating to cases disposed of by the ombudsman in...

Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: There are three potential outcomes when the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces examines a case. Let us say the ombudsman recommends completely in favour of the complainant. If the Minister partially accepts that, he has rejected the ombudsman's recommendation. In some instances the ombudsman recommends partial redress for the complainant. If the Minister only accepts some of that, he is...

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence is moving to Newbridge, County Kildare, under the decentralisation programme. All of the Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff will relocate to Newbridge. The Chief of Staff, the deputy chiefs of staff and a number of other military personnel will also relocate. Relocation of staff to the new building has commenced and will be completed by 8 November 2010....

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The move to Newbridge will see all civil branches of the Department located either in Newbridge or in Renmore, Galway. The management advisory committee, planning and organisation branch, Defence Forces personnel policy branch, international security and defence policy branch, executive branch, legislation branch, litigation branch, property management branch, conciliation and arbitration...

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The principal responsibility remaining in Parkgate Street will be the communications centre, which is a considerable physical infrastructure. It has associated staff of slightly more than 50. It will continue to be accommodated in Parkgate Street for the moment until it is relocated. Members will be aware that there was a second phase to the decentralisation project which would have...

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I should have said at the outset that responsibility for the accommodation of the Department of Defence lies with the Office of Public Works, OPW.

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: It owns the property. I understand it has plans for the location of other personnel there. Due to the nature of the communications centre, it is not something that can be moved overnight. In fact, large elements of it must be recreated to facilitate its transfer.

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The cost is being dealt with by the OPW. It is not as large as one might expect but it is an issue that is being dealt with by the OPW.

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I do not know the figures involved. For very good reasons it is desirable to have the communications centre located in exclusively military surroundings.

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Clearly, Parkgate Street will not meet that criterion in the future, particularly if another Department is located there.

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Even if it were not, I understand the OPW has plans for all the property it controls or rents-----

Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: It will undertake to ensure that the Department is adequately housed.