Results 3,141-3,160 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Security for State Visits (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: Security arrangements for the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the United States were primarily an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the 2000 White Paper on Defence is the provision of aid to the civil power - meaning in practice to assist, when requested, An Garda Síochána. With regard to these two hugely...

Security for State Visits (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The approximate cost of the Defence Forces' involvement is currently estimated to be €1.1million for the visit of Queen Elizabeth and approximately €630,000 for the visit of President Obama. In the context of the Garda's involvement, we do not yet have a final figure. When it becomes known, it will be made publicly available. In the context of the need for a Supplementary Estimate,...

Naval Service Operations (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The customs service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for prevention of drug smuggling into the country and responsibility for prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The joint...

Naval Service Operations (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: To some extent, it is based on both. It is based on intelligence received or, at times, other initiatives can be taken when circumstances arise. In the context of dealing with matters on a co-ordinated basis, I have referred to the MAOC-N, based in Lisbon, which we participate in and from which we receive intelligence information. The navy also receives information from An Garda Síochána...

Army Barracks (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: Various commissions, reports and studies dating back to the 1990s identified barrack closure as a fundamental requirement towards improving military effectiveness and efficiency. The dispersal of Defence Forces personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training and the consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards...

Army Barracks (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I thank Deputies McGrath and Calleary for their complimentary comments about the performance of the Defence Forces over the past week, which elicited a substantial amount of public admiration, including internationally. The manner in which our Defence Forces presented themselves and conducted their duties has resulted in substantial praise from different parts of the world. They should feel...

Defence Policy (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The 2000 White Paper on Defence was a central driver of the significant reform that has been pursued in the defence organisation during the past decade. There has been significant change to the defence and security environment since the publication of the White Paper, and the Defence Forces have developed and adapted to meet the changing demands. This was facilitated by a re-balancing of...

Defence Policy (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is my recollection that the previous White Paper essentially emerged from the Government without substantial public debate. We do need a discussion process and we are giving thought to the different options that are available in this regard. I hope, in the not too distant future, to bring to the Government a proposal with regard to process. I expect that proposal will come to the...

Defence Forces Equipment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that there have not been any such purchases by my Department since October 2010. The Deputy will appreciate that the principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts must be used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers...

Defence Forces Equipment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I think the Deputy misheard me. I said there had been no such purchases from the State of Israel since October 2010. Ultimately, there is a tendering process to which there are applicable European Union regulations, and my Department adheres strictly to the prescription provided by the laws that we must observe.

Defence Forces Medical Services (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The PA report presented an assessment of the arrangements then in place for the provision of medical services for the Defence Forces and proposed a model for the future delivery of those services. The consultants recommended a programme of major change. As recommended by PA, a number of working groups were set up to proceed with the various projects. The working groups were tasked with...

Defence Forces Medical Services (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: When the final working group has completed its deliberations we will have a clear vision of the way forward. I am anxious to implement what is necessary in this area. It is important that members of the Defence Forces should have available to them a modern medical service which meets their needs. We are going to ensure that we take the necessary steps to implement the conclusions reached...

Defence Forces Strength (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I assure the Deputy that, within the resource envelope available for the defence portfolio, I will endeavour to ensure that the Defence Forces are organised, equipped and staffed such that they will retain the operational capability necessary to allow them to deliver the services required of them by Government. The approved employment control framework, ECF, for the Defence Forces is based...

Defence Forces Strength (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces are able to meet their various obligations, that they will retain the capability for doing so and that they will have available to them the assets they require. The Deputy might be interested to know that some targeted recruitment and promotion is still being carried out within the Permanent Defence Force in...

Defence Forces Strength (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy may have heard me state earlier, I am of the view that the Defence Forces were outstanding during the past week. The ceremonial role they undertook in recent days in respect of both the dignity of the ceremonies that took place and the manner in which this country presented itself to the outside world was of substantial importance. I wish to provide the Deputy with every...

Defence Forces Deployment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together. Following a request from the local authorities early on Sunday, 1 May, the Defence Forces deployed Army and Air Corps assets to assist fire-fighting efforts in counties Donegal and Mayo. This deployment involved the use of troops, aircraft and specialist fire-fighting equipment. From early on Sunday morning, an Air Corps helicopter, with...

Defence Forces Deployment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: To the best of my knowledge, no member of the Defence Forces was injured in the incidents in question. After every operation of every description, the Defence Forces assesses how it went. I was in immediate contact with the Department to ensure that as soon as a local authority sought help in fighting gorse fires that it would be available. The Defence Forces had personnel on stand-by and...

Defence Forces Deployment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces came in aid of the local authorities. It is a matter for them if they decide to charge the local authorities for the services provided. Much of the costings I gave earlier would derive from use of the helicopters. It is estimated by Coillte, that of the 9,000 properties owned by it in the State which range in size from one hectare to 200,000 hectares, an average of...

Defence Forces Deployment (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am told, on average, 200,000 hectares are lost to fire each year. It seems a large amount but that is the information with which I have been supplied. If that information is incorrect, I will communicate with the Deputy.

Proposed Legislation (24 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: My priority is firmly focused on maintaining the operational effectiveness of the Defence Forces, to the greatest extent possible, within a reduced resource envelope. In this context, and in line with the programme for Government, the Department is actively engaged in the comprehensive review of expenditure, which was recently initiated by Government. This review of expenditure will assist...