Results 2,841-2,860 of 26,225 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Notwithstanding the Minister's remarks, I understand that before the reorganisation, there were five operational units within Dublin while there now are only two. Moreover, one is the cavalry squadron, many of the duties of which are largely ceremonial. As a consequence, Defence Forces personnel are called in regularly to Dublin from various parts of the country, including Dundalk and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am highly amused that at every given opportunity, the Minister cannot resist the temptation to engage in party political sniping. I am trying to deal with very legitimate issues for the Defence Forces and it would serve the Minister better to focus on the particular issues before us. I am not suggesting the closure of an installation in Donegal or the opening of a new one in Dublin. I am...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 132. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on the Defence Forces participation in the EU-led training mission in Somalia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/14]

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Recently a very small but skilled and capable cadre of Defence Forces personnel has been involved in an EU-led training mission in Somalia. In this question I seek to ascertain from the Minister if he has evaluated the contribution of this small group of Irish personnel and the overall success of the mission.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I join the Minister in paying tribute to Brigadiers Aherne and Beary for their work on this important mission. Am I right in saying the Minister has decided our forces will withdraw from this mission soon? I was surprised to hear that, given the value of the work and that there is still a desperate need in Somalia for the stabilisation work and training of the armed forces in which our...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I agree with the Minister that our commitment to the UN missions is of major importance and I appreciate our ongoing commitment. None the less, the situation in Somalia continues to be very serious. The small group of personnel made a valuable contribution and there is a continuing need to be engaged there. When considering this question I was conscious of the Government's Africa strategy...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 133. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the numbers serving in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13796/14]

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am trying to ascertain the Minister's commitment to developing the numbers serving in the Air Corps. I welcome his recent announcement on recruitment to the Defence Forces and wonder how the Air Corps will benefit from the initiative.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his reply, much of which is positive. However, would he accept that the Air Corps is relatively small when compared internationally? If we compare Ireland with, for example, New Zealand, we find that one in four of the personnel in that country's defence force is a member of the air force, compared to one in 12 in Ireland. Do we need to develop the Air Corps to a...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: In conclusion, I ask the Minister whether he himself is committed to improving the rotary-wing fleet so that it could be expanded to include additional helicopters, especially those with over-ocean capacity. Experiences in such missions as the EUFOR mission to Chad in central Africa have demonstrated the requirement to have accessible and appropriate rotary-wing capacity in difficult...

Order of Business (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Given that the Minister for Health is in the House, I acknowledge the progress made for the people who suffered in the Magdalen laundries and from symphysiotomies. There are only 32 survivors of thalidomide, who are represented by two organisations. The programme for Government made a firm commitment in this regard. Has the Minister met the two organisations and are we advancing towards a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 839. To ask the Minister for Defence when the White Paper on Defence will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13151/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Proposed Legislation (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 143. To ask the Minister for Defence when he proposes to update legislation on the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13797/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 145. To ask the Minister for Defence when the next meeting of EU Foreign and Defence Ministers will take place; the agenda for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13798/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 150. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding the Army Equitation School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13800/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 340. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene in the case of a pupil (details supplied) in County Kildare, if he will ensure that a reader is provided to this student for their leaving certificate examination; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this student had such a provision for their junior certificate examination and that this support resulted in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 395. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a reader and any other requested exemption for a student (details supplied) who is sitting their Leaving Certificate examination in 2014 will be provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 528. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow an appeal of an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13570/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Expenditure (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 651. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will arrange for the full guidelines to be issued to local authorities in respect of the housing aid for older people grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12951/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (25 Mar 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 663. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the points made in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13118/14]