Results 2,681-2,700 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: At a meeting of Defence Ministers in Brussels last Monday week I pleaded with my colleagues to put the key enablers in place. We have less than 1% of the population of Europe but we are supplying approximately 12% of the troops for this mission. Someone asked me why we are not supplying air assets. We would gladly supply them if we had them, but the air assets we have do not have the range...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: No.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: There is a lot of diplomatic activity going on at the moment with a view to obtaining what is still needed to launch the mission. As we have a sufficient commitment of troops, fortunately, we do not need any more.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We do not have sufficient air assets or medical facilities and we need substantial assistance in these areas. I appeal again to our European partners in this regard. The whole future of European security and defence is at stake. The credibility of the EU's involvement in peacekeeping missions is at stake if we cannot launch this mission as soon as possible. If our partners do not step up...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware, I propose to re-establish the All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group which was originally set up last year to offer advice on the scope and content of a 1916 centenary commemoration programme. I will be writing to Party Leaders, shortly, to ask them to nominate spokespersons to the Group. I intend to convene a meeting of the Group early in 2008. The Group will be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Officers who joined the Defence Forces on or after the 6th April 1995 are, like other public servants appointed since then, subject to full PRSI and so are entitled to the full range of State Social Insurance benefits including the Old Age Contributory Pension, nowadays known as the State Pension Contributory. Consequently, their occupational pensions are subject to a process — known as...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: This Question was answered today by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, reference Question No. 48.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have been advised by the military authorities that an appeal has been made to the relevant military authority in this matter on the 21 November 2007 and, as a consequence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage. The minimum service required for a Private to qualify for a pension under the Defence Forces Pensions Scheme is 21 years, or 12 years if discharged "Below...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Annual Report of the Department of Defence and Defence Forces for 2006 was published in July 2007. Among the significant developments that took place in 2006 and which are detailed in the Report were: All ATCP (Aid to the Civil Power) and ACA (Aid to the Civil Authority) requests were met. We continued to meet Ireland's international commitments with a total of 828 Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Appeals: Defence Forces Appeals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have been advised by the military authorities that an appeal has been made to the relevant military authority in this matter on the 21 November 2007 and, as a consequence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Appeals: Defence Forces Appeals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have been advised by the military authorities that an appeal has been made to the relevant military authority in this matter on the 21 November 2007 and, as a consequence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 505, 507 and 508 together. My Department operates normal business hours and is open from Monday to Friday from 9.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (5.15 pm on Friday). Telephonists also provide a service during these hours. The Defence Force Press and Information Office operates on a daily basis from 08.30 to 17.00 hours. Defence Force Press and Information Officers...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined below: Forms that can be completed online: Applications for Cadetships Applications for Apprenticeships Applications for Direct Entry (Officers) Forms that cannot be completed online: Sheep Branding Form Request for Bank Details Customer Comment Card General Service Recruitment Pension Forms In addition, the Department makes its tender...

Written Answers — Military Service Medals: Military Service Medals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The following table lists the medals issued by my Department for service spanning the period 1916 to 31 July 1924, the date on which the present day Defence Forces were legally established. Service medals have not been struck in respect of the period of service of the person in question. MEDALS ISSUED FOR SERVICE BEFORE 1924 1916 Medal Service Medal (War of Independence) Commemoration...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department and the Defence Forces ensure that all redundant information technology equipment is disposed of by a reputable company chosen through a public tender competition and properly licensed for such disposals in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. Prior to disposal, the hard disks are formatted by IT staff and made unserviceable. I am...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department currently employs one press officer. In 2002, it also employed one press officer. Agencies reporting to my Department do not employ a press officer nor did they in 2002.

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Podcasts are not currently available for download on my Department's or its agencies' websites and there are no plans, as yet, to introduce them. My Department continues to examine all aspects of available information technology to improve communications to the public, including podcasts and related tools, where they serve a specific purpose, are technically feasible and cost-effective. There...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department's headquarters at Infirmary Road, Dublin 7 was reopened in 1997 following a complete refurbishment to the highest standards and it has been maintained in an environmentally friendly condition since then. The proposed new headquarters in Newbridge, Co Kildare will be built having regard to efficient, economic and environmentally friendly standards. A refurbishment programme...

Written Answers — Child Care Facilities: Child Care Facilities (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: A request to provide crèche facilities for members of the Defence Forces has been made by the Defence Forces Representative Associations. The Defence Forces Partnership Steering Group, which was established following on from Partnership 2000, has tasked a Partnership Sub-Committee with examining the issue of the provision of child care facilities under a number of headings, including demand...

Written Answers — Video Conferencing Facilities: Video Conferencing Facilities (5 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department and the Defence Forces have been using video conferencing facilities for a number of years to improve communications and efficiency. Facilities are installed and available to staff in all Departmental buildings, in Defence Forces Headquarters and at each Brigade Headquarters. They are used, on a regular basis, to link personnel in Ireland and abroad. Videoconference...