Results 2,961-2,980 of 26,225 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Redress Procedures (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 338. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of complaints under section 114 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, by serving members of the Defence Forces that were handled internally through the Defence Forces' redress of wrongs procedure in 2011, 2012 and in 2013; the number that had progressed to the satisfaction of the complainant within 28 days of the complaint being made; and if he...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 1. To ask the Minister for Defence further to the decision to reduce the number of Army brigades from three to two within a Defence Forces strength of 9,500 personnel, if the then three operational commanders of the Army were part of a formally constituted prior consultation or study process to advise on the personnel, intelligence, operational, logistical and deployability implications of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle might advise us on this issue. When we start Question Time late because we do not have a quorum, additional time should be made available to us. This question focuses on the unilateral decision made by the Minister to move from a three to a two brigade structure in the Defence Forces. I ask the Minister to indicate whether there was formal consultation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I have the height of respect for the current and previous Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries General of the Department. Nonetheless, I put it to the Minister that it indicates a weakness in the process he applied that there was no consultation or formal study of the personnel, intelligence, operational, logistical and deployment implications for the Department and the brigades and that no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Does the Minister accept that retaining the three brigade structure would have allowed the Army to retain the structural architecture to expand in times of crisis and need, retain operational situational awareness in critical parts along the Border with Northern Ireland and, critically, retain operational command and control structures close to where operational outputs were being delivered?...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding capital investment in defence facilities in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20330/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: My question concerns the long-term proposals or vision the Minister has for the necessary continued investment in the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh Camp, and his vision for the necessary continued investment in Army installations across the country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister's reply. The works he identified were needed and I welcome the fact that they have been carried out. Between 2000 and 2005, the level of investment in the Curragh camp - €64 million - was quite enormous. Between 1997 and 2009, something of the order of €400 million was invested in equipment, resources and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his positive response. I am conscious that in the coming years it is going to be particularly difficult for him to obtain the investment for necessary developments within the Defence Forces as he engages in combat at the Cabinet table. Even in good times, funding had to be obtained by means of the sale of barracks. As we move forward, it is going to be even more...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 7. To ask the Minister for Defence the plans in place for the Defence Forces to undertake more active conflict resolution as distinct from peacekeeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20043/14]

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Since before I was born, the Defence Forces have been distinguishing themselves internationally in their peace support operations. This question seeks to promote the idea that the capacity exists, in consultation with the Department of Finance, for our Defence Forces to play an even greater role in terms of conflict resolution. What are the plans of the Minister and his Department in this...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Generally, I welcome the Minister's response, but he seems to be placing a focus on limiting the role that the Defence Forces might play in conflict resolution. It is an area in which we can expand our activities. What we did in Mali and Somalia was of particular significance. For this reason, many others and I were disappointed when the Minister decided to withdraw our participants in...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I did not say "Mali". I said "Somalia".

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister's latter comments. There is considerable scope for development, particularly in the relationship that has been developed between the UN school in the Curragh Camp training centre and the Kennedy centre for conflict resolution. Working with those two agencies, we have the opportunity to develop something on this island that can allow Ireland and its people to build on...

Topical Issue Debate: National Concert Hall (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am glad this matter was selected and I thank the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, for coming in to deal with it. As I understand it, differences of opinion on governance and board focus led to five members quitting the board of the National Concert Hall in early April. Mr. John McGrane, a senior figure at Ulster Bank and a member of the board, stated at the...

Topical Issue Debate: National Concert Hall (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister and I have both put on record our admiration for the management and board of the National Concert Hall, and we recognise their achievements over the years. However, in his response the Minister has not addressed the reason for the resignation of the five board members. It is not every day of the week that five members of the board of a national institution resign. Are they...

Order of Business (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: All Members have been supportive and admiring of the work of the Magdalen commission and the report it issued. One of the commission's proposals is that the restorative justice Bill be brought before the House. What is the position with regard to that Bill and in respect of the implementation of the report of the Magdalen commission? I have just received a text from the Whip's office....

Estimates for Public Services 2014 - Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary Estimate) (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am stepping in for Deputy Martin, who has been called away. Fianna Fáil supports the proposal before the House to fund a formal inquiry into the taping practices followed in some Garda stations over the years. There are many aspects of this controversy which are unclear. The most important of these is the potential impact of taping on past and future criminal proceedings. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 10. To ask the Minister for Defence the measures that will be undertaken to provide a more representative gender balance in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20042/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 24. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will undertake any new overseas missions during the remainder of 2014; the number of missions that have concluded thus far in 2014; the details of same; the number that will conclude during the remainder of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/14]