Results 3,301-3,320 of 26,225 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: National Disability Authority: Chairperson Designate (17 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank Ms Guinan for her presentation, which was clear and concise. I have no doubt she will be appointed to the role and we wish her well. All of us value the work by the NDA, which fulfils a vital role in advising the Minister on the disability area. I have a question which relates to Ms Guinan's area of expertise, as I know she has worked in special education. Throughout the country...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 1. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for Ireland's participation in the UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34810/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I hope Members will take note of the Ceann Comhairle's reminder about time keeping because we have lost valuable time this morning. I congratulate the Minister on his appointment to the Department of Defence. I am not sure about the combination of agriculture and defence but, no doubt, we will have an opportunity to discuss that issue later. This is the vital question of what is to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his response and acknowledge again the work he has been doing on this matter. Many families are deeply concerned about their loved ones who are providing distinguished service on behalf of the country in this particularly difficult theatre. The families of troops who may participate in the next rotation are equally concerned. Ireland committed to a Chapter VI...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We have moved our troops west of the Alpha line to Camp Ziouani. The question that arises is whether it will be possible for them to fulfil any mandate from that location. This poses a serious problem because they will be dependent on the capacities of other forces to support them in any endeavour in which they may engage. Another issue that arises is the extension of the deployment of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; the number of Defence Forces personnel exclusively based there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34811/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This question is straightforward and seeks to establish the Minister's plans for the future of Custume Barracks. However, I put it against the background of the extraordinary decision taken by his predecessor as Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, who, at the same time as announcing a Green Paper on the future of the Defence Forces, announced the disestablishment of the 4th Western...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I must disagree with the Minister a little on the figures. According to my briefing note, on 30 November 2012 there were 1,441 permanent positions at Custume Barracks. These included personnel who had relocated from Longford in 2009 and Cavan and Mullingar in 2012. The disestablishment of the Western Brigade and the downgrading of Custume Barracks have been a disaster for the Defence...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I do not doubt that very high standards are set in Custume Barracks. Moreover, I do not doubt the commitment of the personnel there. However, I have also visited counties Westmeath and Roscommon and spoken to people who have been affected by the particular changes made. This change was all the more extraordinary, in that the Minister's predecessor had launched a discussion paper on the...

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 8. To ask the Minister for Defence his priorities for the remainder of the Government's current term of office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34574/14]

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: In July, when the Government published its revised set of priorities or its revised programme for Government, there was no mention of defence. The question gives the opportunity to the Minister to set out his personal priorities for the remaining term of the Government.

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wonder whether there is a message in that about the relatively short time to the next election.

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his response. He mentioned the White Paper, which is of vital importance. When does the Minister expect to publish it? Many of us have made submissions. The Minister talked about recruitment and equipment, and this gives rise to financing. When the Minister received his briefing documents in July, they indicated that in terms of GDP, Ireland provides to its...

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I refer to how we address the issues in this House. I recall being Chairman of the Oireachtas committee on health in the previous Dáil when we found it extremely useful that the Minister and the officials from the Department of Health and the HSE came in every quarter to give the committee a presentation. I do not suggest this in respect of the Department of Defence but I ask if the...

Other Questions: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 10. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has attended any meetings with EU counterparts since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34576/14]

Other Questions: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I ask the Minister to inform the House about the level of engagement he has had with his EU defence ministerial colleagues and in particular what has been the outcome of any discussions with regard to the formation of impending battle groups, the Nordic battle group in 2015 and the German-led battle group in 2016.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 22. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently on missions overseas; the number of such missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34577/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 29. 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. [34578/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (18 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 33. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the presence of asbestos on naval vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34575/14]

Leaders' Questions (23 Sep 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I want to return to the issue of social housing, which has rightly been raised frequently in this House over the past number of years. There are currently around 100,000 social housing applicants on local authority lists across the country. Many of these people would never have envisaged having to add their names to such lists and their failure to find housing sees them sleeping in cars and...