Results 3,361-3,380 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 775 to 777, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. Name Date of Appointment Salary Scale Derek Mooney (Special Adviser) 7 May 2008 €84,066 – €103,982 Suzanne Coogan (Press Adviser) 7 May 2008 €84,066 – €103,982 Press Office Position Held Number Salary Scale Press Officer 1 €64,565 –...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Value for Money Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces was published in September 2007. This review has identified potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the clothing storage and distribution system. An implementation group, tasked with drawing up a detailed implementation plan has been established. The anticipated improvement in inventory turnover ratios...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Value for Money Review of the usage of military training land is currently being progressed and is scheduled for completion by the end of December 2008. As the review group have not completed their deliberations, I cannot comment on any potential value for money improvements that may arise.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table: Date Total Employed Number Without Office Space/ Work Station 30 June 2008 *424 NIL *This figure represents the total number of officers serving in my Department, including those officers who are worksharing, those who are in temporary employment and those who are working on a contract basis.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 782 together. When demolition of the steelworks at Haulbowline commenced in the summer of 2005, it was agreed by all interested parties that dust monitoring equipment be installed on the Naval Base. The monitoring equipment selected and installed in two locations on the Base was as follows: 1. Bergerhoff dust deposition gauges: These record on a...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. The estimated administrative costs of each agency for 2008 is outlined in the following table: Agency Name Estimated Administrative Costs in 2008 â'¬ Civil Defence Board 1,740,000 Coiste an Asgard 124,884 Army Pensions Board 111,000

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The salary levels of all staff in my Department exceed the minimum wage.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined as follows: 2002 — A Report on The Nature and Extent of any Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in The Defence Forces was commissioned (the 'Doyle Report'). The report was drawn up under the aegis of a Group chaired by Dr. Eileen Doyle. The Group also included civil servants from the Department of Defence as...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (9 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There will be no representatives from my Department visiting Bejing in an official capacity, to coincide with the 2008 Olympic Games.

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is detailed in the accompanying table: Name of Publication/Booklet Details of Publication Breakdown of Costs â'¬ Cadetship Competitions 30,000 Booklets, 10,600 Application forms 15,500 Apprenticeship Competitions 15,000 Booklets, 10,000 Application forms 7,000 General Service Recruitment 10,000 Leaflets 1,100 Naval Service Questions and...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A Cheann Comhairle, for some time we have witnessed a number of negative influences on the world economy.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: People on both sides of the House are entitled to express their opinion uninterrupted. We did not interrupt anybody on the other side of the House and the least we deserve is to be afforded the same courtesy.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy's answer to everything is to shout people down.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is an international credit squeeze. The effects of the sub-prime crisis in the US are being felt worldwide while increasing worldwide oil and food prices are putting the brake on global growth. A small open economy, like ours, is not immune to what is happening in the rest of the world. The reality, however, is that the fundamentals of the Irish economy are strong. It is a reality...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Despite that, some people still persist, in the teeth of the clearest evidence to the contrary, in insisting that the boom has been squandered. As well as the huge investment in infrastructure, health and education, we have used the surpluses to build up our pension reserve fund to almost €20 billion and to dramatically reduce our national debt from 65% of GNP to about 25%. The reduction...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The underlying strength of the economy gives cause for considerable optimism.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The truth hurts. Unlike any time in the past, Ireland is well positioned to deal with the consequences of an international slowdown. This means the Government is well positioned to get us through the tough times. The responsible course is to take the actions needed now. That is what we are doing. We are taking the necessary corrective actions needed to put our economy on a sustainable...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The operating cost of this State must be sustainable. This means moderating our spending and driving the value-for-money agenda harder. Second, we will continue to invest in the productive capacity of the economy. We will improve our national infrastructures even further by continuing to invest in roads, communications, education and public services. My over-riding priority as Minister is...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I listened to some of the earlier debate, with spokesman after spokesman, particularly those from the main Opposition party, demanding increased current expenditure on health, education and transport while, at the same time, Deputy Bruton contends we are not imposing budgetary cuts severely or quickly enough. Fine Gael must make up its mind. It cannot be at once in favour of general economy...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In fairness to Deputy Deenihan, his pronouncements, while in favour of increased public expenditure, have been a model of consistency when compared with those of his Front Bench colleagues. Last April, Deputies Varadkar and Kenny launched a document committing Fine Gael to reduce massively the number of State agencies. Unfortunately, news of this important initiative seems not to have...