Results 3,701-3,720 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 102, 114, 126 and 129 together. The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. A total of 400 Defence Forces personnel are...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The use and storage of military equipment etc. is an operational matter for the Defence Forces. The military authorities have advised that it is not possible to give a detailed breakdown of storage of equipment due to the extensive effort involved in compiling the information required in the time available.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The 2008 Defence Estimate included an increased provision in respect of additional medical costs related to the initial deployment by the Defence Forces to the EUFOR Chad mission. The reduction in the 2009 Estimate is due to the fact that such additional costs will not arise in 2009.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 93, 98 and 111 together. To date in 2008, a total of 507 recruits have been enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force. 441 were recruited to the Army and 66 to the Naval Service. In addition, 41 cadets commenced their cadet training in September, 2008. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of...

Written Answers — Ombudsman for the Defence Forces: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. On the 19th September 2005, Ms. Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn SC was appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Government, as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Her term of office was recently extended for a further three years from 19th September 2008. The...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: 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 for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The number of posts to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil service posts together with 43...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 112 together. 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...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are aware of the existence of a capability to use computer technology for offensive operations. This capability is not being developed by the Defence Forces. The use of current technology is concentrated on Information and Communications, both domestic and overseas, and the management of internal administrative systems. There has been no discussion between myself and the...

Written Answers — National Security: National Security (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 103 together. Cyber security, cyber crime and internet security represent challenges that are constantly evolving and require vigilance and appropriate responses. Cyber security is multi facetted. The nature of the threat and the potential impact also varies considerably depending on the approach and objective of those with malicious intent. In the...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 100, 122 and 212 together. Ireland is currently contributing 736 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the table. While personnel from all services are liable for and do serve overseas, as a matter of policy Air Corps and Naval assets are not deployed...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with other Government Departments, the Administrative Budget arrangements for my Department apply only to subheads A1 to A8 of the Defence Vote. However, a substantial amount of day-to-day Defence Forces' expenditure is delegated to the Chief of Staff. The detailed information requested by the Deputy on appointments and promotions is not readily available. The information will be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve Capabilities over the period to end 2009. To date there have been significant changes and the Reserve is now organised along similar lines to the PDF with three brigades and a dedicated Naval Service Reserve. There have been significant improvements to clothing, equipment and training. A pilot...

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: An Garda Síochána have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations and the provision of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A tender competition is well advanced for the acquisition of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles for the Defence Forces. The intention is that the LTAV will complement the Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the conduct of conventional and Peace Support Operations and will fill a gap that exists between soft-skinned vehicles and the Mowags. The acquisition of Light Tactical Vehicles is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Administration subheads of the Defence Estimate for 2009 represent a small proportion (less than 3%) of the total Estimate. Pay of the civil service staff of the Department accounts for the bulk of the expenditure under these subheads. In that regard the pay provision for 2009 represents a reduction in real terms of 3% on the 2008 allocation. In the current economic situation, it is not...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As I have said in response to many questions in this House, Defence Forces expenditure and properties are kept under constant review in terms of addressing Defence Force requirements and ensuring the most appropriate organisation of the Defence Forces taking account of the operational requirements and available resources. The procurement and purchasing procedures are designed and operated to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Members of the Reserve Defence Force undertake both paid and unpaid training on a part-time voluntary basis. Given the limited time that members of the Reserve can devote to training, the primary thrust of such training is on developing the requisite military skills. In light of this limited availability, it would be impractical to introduce extensive physical training regimes during periods...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 119 and 215 together. Allianz Plc., with which Asgard II was insured in the sum of €3.8m, has conducted a tender competition for the salvage of the vessel. The proposals submitted are still under consideration. I expect that a decision as to whether to proceed with a salvage operation will be made within about two weeks. The question of procuring a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that tender competitions are usually run by my Department for the disposal of major assets such as aircraft and ships when they have reached the end of their economic working lives in the Defence Forces. Examples of these are the sales of the Naval Service ship, L.E. Deirdre in 2001 and a Gazelle helicopter, four Dauphin helicopters and six Marchetti helicopters in 2006....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The four Dauphin helicopters, special tools and spare parts were sold following an open tender competition to Rotor Leasing Incorporated in the USA for €311,000 in October 2006. The sale of the helicopters was advertised on the Department of Finance's e-tender website, the tender documents were also available from the Department of Defence's website and were made available to military...