Results 3,341-3,360 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 239 together. As Minister for Defence I am delighted with the level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included: The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, inclusive of VAT. Two light utility EC 135 helicopters acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 231, 232 and 235 together. Ireland is currently contributing 816 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details, including ranks, of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the UN Mandated EU...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 20 on 10 April last. The Military authorities have informed my Department that the survey of Defence Forces accommodation had been completed and a report is being finalised at present. When this report has been considered, my Department, in consultation with the military authorities, will set appropriate standards to be applied across...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The matter to which the deputy is referring is the case of the killing of Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne, while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 1980 and the efforts to bring the alleged perpetrator of the crime to justice. The question of the measures open to the Irish Authorities to bring the alleged perpetrator of this crime to justice have...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime and inland Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region, for pollution and salvage response in the marine environment, and for marine safety awareness. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 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 be on stand-by for the first six (6) months of 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...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 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 also in keeping with the most modern requirements from the health and safety perspective. On-going investment in the Defence Forces will...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 238 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force as the strength sufficient to meet all foreseeable military requirements for the period comprehended by the White Paper (i.e. up to 2010). This remains the position. It is my intention to maintain the established Government...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Promotions: Defence Forces Promotions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A breakdown of the number of female personnel promoted in the Permanent Defence Force since 1 May 2007 is as follows: Promotion Number Recruit to Private 2* 18 Private 2* to Private 3* 20 Private 3* to Corporal 19 Corporal to Sergeant 11 2/Lieutenant to Lieutenant 3 Lieutenant to Captain 11 Captain to Commandant 8 The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 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. In the 2000 White Paper on Defence, the Government decided that the Naval Service would be based on an 8-ship flotilla and committed to a modernisation and replacement strategy to maximise the operational capacity of those 8...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 237 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual...

Written Answers — Reserve Defence Force: Reserve Defence Force (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A breakdown of the number recruited into and discharged from the Reserve Defence Force from 2003 to 2007 inclusive is as follows: Year Recruited Discharged Change +/- 2003 1,987 2,306 - 319 2004 1,377 1,876 - 499 2005 1,069 3,085 - 2,016 2006 1,124 1,948 - 824 2007 972 1,497 - 525 The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) comprises the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. As of 31 May...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency (EDA) 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...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A Working Group, comprising civil and military representatives, was established in July 2004 to review the Department's existing property portfolio, taking account of White Paper implementation, the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force and current military requirements, and to make recommendations accordingly. All properties within my Department's property portfolio were considered by...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In general terms, medals are currently awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas. Members who serve overseas, subject to certain criteria, are currently eligible for the award of the UN Peacekeepers Medal. This medal is only...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and the transfer of Defence Force Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. Approximately 83% of clerical/administrative staff are now in place in preparation for the move to...

Written Answers — Efficiency Reviews: Efficiency Reviews (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with the Budget 2008 announcement, my Department has engaged in the efficiency review exercise with a view to identifying possible savings on administrative spending. The issues arising on foot of this exercise are currently being considered in the context of preparation of the 2009 estimates.

Written Answers — Hazardous Waste: Hazardous Waste (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the remediation of the former ISPAT site. In view of the concerns being raised about the site, my Department has instructed a contractor to conduct soil and air analysis. This analysis is independent of any other analysis being carried out. There are a number of air monitors at the Naval base that were put...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A total of seven members of staff of the Department of Defence have received support to participate in postgraduate educational courses in the years 2004 to 2008. This figure includes one member of staff whose course is in progress.

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I would refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to Parliamentary Question 191 on July 7th 2008 concerning Columb Barracks, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The same situation applies to the other military barracks the Deputy mentions. The Defence property portfolio is kept under ongoing review by military authorities and the staff in my Department to ensure the most effective use of military resources...