Results 301-320 of 12,629 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Common Foreign and Security Policy. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: One can say what one wishes, but the ultimate shape of the rapid response force will be decided by the defence Ministers of the member states of the European Union. We have decided nothing yet.

Defence Forces Equipment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 15 and 35 together. The procurement process for the acquisition of new helicopters for the Air Corps is progressing well. This major investment programme will involve the acquisition of six helicopters. It is proposed to purchase two light utility helicopters, primarily for Air Corps crew training purposes, and four larger utility helicopters to support the...

Defence Forces Equipment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Sherlock asked an important question. I guarantee the purchase will take place. The tender process is well under way. As far as I am aware, the 2002 proposal related to the purchase of medium lift helicopters. That proposal was dropped as a result of a demand for savings across various Departments. The Department of Defence made its decision in that regard in the interests of the...

Defence Forces Equipment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: There are many other VIPs besides Ministers in the country. As I understand it, helicopters will only be available to Ministers when absolutely necessary. They will not be used by Ministers as a general tool of transport.

Defence Forces Equipment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The term VIP covers a broad range of people such as the Chief of Staff and Army top brass. I do not know exactly to whom the term VIP refers but I will make inquiries for the Deputy.

Defence Forces Equipment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: There are very few VIPs in Limerick. On Deputy McGinley's point, I am not aware of the confrontation between the Government and company concerned as it happened well before my time. I am, however, aware that Sikorsky is one of the companies that has tendered for the supply of the six helicopters. The tenders are being evaluated by designated persons and it is intended that a contract will be...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Based on GNP figures received from the Central Statistics Office gross expenditure on defence was 1.3% in 1994 and not 1.6% as indicated in the Deputy's question. The level of expenditure on defence in any particular country is influenced by a variety of factors, including the country's political and security environment, its history, demography and economy. There has been an unprecedented...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I am amazed that Deputy Gormley is concerned about the reduction in expenditure on defence. There is no comparison between the United States and Ireland in that regard.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I thought the Deputy was worried that the percentage is decreasing. Looking at overall expenditure on defence in the context of the budget, we were able to reduce expenditure as a percentage of GDP because we had money coming in from savings as a result of reductions in personnel and the sale of surplus property. Defence expenditure would not have made any major difference to our economic...

Air Corps Strength. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The most important defence against terrorist attacks is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána. The various components of the Defence Forces are...

Air Corps Strength. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility in the event of a terrorist attack lies with the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces would come in response to a request for assistance. We have a limited air defence capacity but the events of 11 September showed that countries that spend a fortune on air defence cannot guarantee protection. Small countries do not spend resources that could be used for other...

Air Corps Strength. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: To answer Deputy Sherlock first, I have already outlined the very considerable expenditure on training, equipment and infrastructure which the Government has engaged in over the past several years. A system is currently in place which all the military advice available to me suggests is as good as we can have in the circumstances. Procedures are in place in the event of a terrorist attack. I...

Air Corps Strength. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: In answer to Deputy Gormley's question about specific terrorist operatives, these matters are always kept under review. There is constant contact between the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and a coherent approach is taken in respect of any known or suspected terrorist who may be operating on Irish soil.

Air Corps Strength. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The scramble time is two minutes and, as I stated, the new aircraft will be armed. On the question of whether terrorists are currently operating in this country, not to my knowledge, but if anything specific requires to be brought to my attention by my Department, I am confident it will do so.

Hearing Impairment Claims. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: By 30 September 2004, a total of 16,726 claims had been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. A total of 333 claims have been determined in court and 15,060 have been disposed of out of court, mainly through settlement, leaving a total of 1,333 claims outstanding at that...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The circumstances which enabled people to sue successfully have been dealt with, for example, proper protective equipment has been issued. I am delighted to inform Deputy Sherlock that 11 claims per week was the norm in 2002. That figure decreased to four per week in 2003 and it is currently down to one claim per week. The early settlement scheme contributed to it being a lot less expensive...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Certain circumstances enabled the court to find that the Army had been negligent in not providing proper protective equipment such as hearing muffs for soldiers during military training exercises. I am advised by the military authorities that all those procedures have been put in place to the satisfaction of the legal people who gave the advice in the first instance that the Government had a...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 30 together. There is an existing policy of ongoing recruitment to the Army ranger wing. Selection courses are held periodically and successful candidates are then taken into the Army ranger wing. A planned selection course is in progress. It is not known at this time how many personnel are likely to be successful on this course. The military...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Those personnel being trained at present are to maintain the complement of 75 and are not extra personnel. I will discuss the matter of possible increases in the numbers serving in the ranger unit with the military authorities. To my knowledge there are no plans at present to increase the numbers above 75 personnel. I will discuss Deputy McGinley's concerns with the appropriate military...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: In answer to Deputy Gormley's questions, I do not know if the military authorities are lobbying for an increase in the number of personnel; they have not lobbied me as yet but I have only been in the Department for ten days and perhaps it will happen down the road. The ranger unit is specifically trained to deal with a siege. Its level of training is very high and its personnel are very well...