Results 3,221-3,240 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., announced in the context of the 90th Anniversary celebrations of 1916 that the Government had decided to make the Military Pension Archive, covering the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence, available to historians and to the public. It is the intention of the Government that the records will be made available in good time for the 100th anniversary of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In response to the Deputy's questions I wish to state that ministerial cars are driven by members of An Garda Siochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under Section 62 of the Roads Act 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A claim for the payment of Instructors allowance to qualified MT Instructors with the Transport Company, Collins Barracks, Cork was received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme (C&A Scheme) for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The claim is the subject of correspondence between the Department...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: On the issue of training, I am very satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government under the White Paper on Defence of February 2000. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Security Escorts: Defence Forces Security Escorts (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Following a detailed formal agreement with the Irish Bankers Federation, which was signed on 11 May 2005, the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of cash escorts. Costs in respect of each 12 month period to end-December, are paid the following year on or before the 1st June. This is to allow for the compilation of returns from the brigades and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As of 20 May 2008, a total of 792 members of the Permanent Defence Force are serving overseas. Of the 792 currently serving overseas, 13 are Air Corps personnel and 4 are members of the Naval Service. When full deployment to Chad is completed on 1 June 2008 a further 10 members of the Air Corps and 16 members of the Naval Service will have been deployed overseas. No Air Corps or Naval...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: With regard to Ireland's participation in future Battlegroups, we are committed in principle to participation in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG) which will stand up again in 2011. Other contributors to the Nordic Battlegroup are Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. Informal discussions have also taken place between staff in the Department of Defence and...

Written Answers — Coastal Surveillance: Coastal Surveillance (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. The Naval Service operates eight general purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The Naval...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy will be aware, significant investment has been made in Defence Forces equipment in recent years to provide them with the most modern equipment to undertake tasks assigned to them by Government. The equipment issued to the Defence Forces is in keeping with the most modern requirements from the health and safety perspective. Ongoing investment in the Defence Forces will ensure...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland is currently contributing 763 Defence Forces personnel to 15 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas on UN mandated operations, observer missions or undertaking representative or staff postings are listed in the tabular statement. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the UN Mandated EU...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of civil servants in my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal or higher is set out in the following table: Grade No. of Full-Time Staff No. of Part Time Staff Secretary General 1 0 Assistant Secretary 2 0 Head of Corporate Services 1 0 Principal Officers 9 4 Professional Accountant 1 0 Assistant Principal 38 0 The Professional Accountant and 1 Assistant Principal...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is a comprehensive range of national and EU legislation dealing with employment rights and protection of employees. Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) are not "employees" or "workers" in the generally accepted meaning of those terms. The Defence Acts 1954 to 2007 prescribe that the Defence Forces shall consist of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and a Reserve Defence Force....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Members of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) who are injured in the course of their duties may apply for compensation under a non-statutory compensation scheme administered by my Department. Typically, this would cover injuries sustained on official duty while participating in annual camp, field days, overnights, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Compensation is payable under...

Written Answers — Common Defence and Security Policy: Common Defence and Security Policy (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The provision on common defence in the Lisbon Treaty largely carries forward the existing Treaty provision on the possibility of the development of an EU common defence. The term is not further defined in the Treaties. However, any decision to move to a common defence would have to be taken by unanimity, providing Ireland with the right to veto any such proposal. There is currently no...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was set up in 2004 during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. Its mission is "to support the Member States in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". Ireland participates in the framework of the Agency and is...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004 "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". The EDA is an Agency of the European Union....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) as a percentage of it's establishment is in the region of 90% and has been so for the period in question. The strength is sufficient to meet anticipated operational requirements. For security and operational reasons it has not been military practice to publicise exact details of the establishment or actual strength of the ARW. There is an existing...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. This blueprint outlined a new Reserve with a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better equipment and training and opportunities for reservists to serve on overseas peace support missions. An Implementation Plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan provides for the development of an Integrated Army Reserve. A pilot scheme for the Integrated Reserve was commenced in 2007 and this scheme has been extended into 2008. The military authorities have advised me that members of the RDF are trained in all military equipment appropriate to their corps and rank in accordance with the Annual...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (4 Jun 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised that the name of the contractor engaged by the Defence Forces to transport Defence Forces equipment from Cameroon to Chad is SDV Bollore, a French company. The contract was awarded in early April following a tender competition and the transportation of the equipment commenced in mid April 2008 and is due to be completed by the end of this week.