Results 3,721-3,740 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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

Willie O'Dea: The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. It is not my intention to abolish or merge any of these bodies.

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

Willie O'Dea: As part of the implementation of the Government decision to relocate the Defence Forces HQ under decentralisation, services currently provided by St Bricins Military Hospital will transfer to the Curragh. St Bricins will remain in operation as a military medical facility (MMF) serving the Eastern Brigade until a modern facility suitable for the Brigade is provided. Planning for the new...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC) is an Agency of the Council of the European Union. Formerly operating as the Western European Union Satellite Centre, the EUSC was incorporated as an agency of the EU in 2002 as part of the transfer of functions from the Western European Union (WEU) to the European Union (EU) and more specifically to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)....

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

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Organisation conference was held on the 13th November 2008 and was attended by the senior management teams in both the Department and the Defence Forces. The focus of the conference was on effective planning. The topics covered were defence capability development, performance measurement and effective management of the defence budget within the current resource constraints. A...

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

Willie O'Dea: Ireland has participated in EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina since December 2004, the successor mission to the Stabilisation force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina with which Ireland had previously been serving since 1997. EUFOR was established under the authority of the UN Security Council Resolution 1575 of 22 November, 2004. The Irish contingent with EUFOR currently comprises 44...

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

Willie O'Dea: The gross total allocation for my Department in 2009 is €1,061 million, comprising €852 million in the Defence Estimate and €209 million in the Army Pensions Estimate. When compared with the allocation for 2008, this represents a reduction of 4% in the Defence Estimate and an increase of 10% in the Army Pensions Estimate, giving an overall reduction of 1.6%. The reduction in the Defence...

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

Willie O'Dea: A ceremony to mark the dedication of the "National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in the service of the State" was held at Merrion Square on Saturday 8th November 2008. The ceremony was led by an tUachtarán, Mrs. Mary McAleese, who laid a wreath at the memorial. The ceremony featured a military parade consisting of members of the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service,...

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

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Nominations in respect of the composition of the Oireachtas Consultation Group are now complete. Arrangements are being made for a meeting of the Group to be held at an early date. The inaugural meeting of the re-constituted group will be informed of progress on major projects in commemorative activities and the consideration towards a framework for the Centenary commemorative programme.

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

Willie O'Dea: I have set out in the table below the number by grade and rank of civil servants in my Department and in agencies under the aegis of my Department: Grade Title Number of Staff 1995 2000 2005 2008 Secretary General 1 1 1 1 Assistant Secretary 2 2 2 2 Head of Corporate Services 1 1 1 1 Principal 8 11 13.8 14.5 Chief Technical Officer 1 1 0 0 Professional Accountant 1 1 0 1 Assistant...

Written Answers — Air Corps Equipment: Air Corps Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of the replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Fleet is under consideration. The question of funding the replacement programme has to be considered in tandem with the overall equipment requirements of the Defence Forces generally and the funding available for this. As the Deputy may be aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 133 and 216 together. The issue in relation to the certification of the two helicopters for use with passengers arose in September 2008 and was a regulatory, licensing issue relating to civilian registered helicopters. It did not reflect in any way on the safety, technical or operational functions of the helicopters, which continued to be used for cargo...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The increased retirement gratuity mentioned by the Deputy is one of a number of improvements in superannuation arrangements that were formally agreed with PDFORRA on 24 November 2008 under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Under the agreed arrangements, the increased retirement gratuity applies to qualified enlisted personnel who were serving...

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

Willie O'Dea: I have dealt fully with the facts of this case as recently as last week in my reply to parliamentary Question No. 435 (Ref. 40719/08). As I stated in that reply, I am satisfied that the matter was handled in an entirely appropriate and proper manner in 1969 and that the decision taken then was taken only after very detailed and due consideration. In the circumstances, I do not propose to...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together. The Reserve Defence Force is a part-time, voluntary organisation whose primary activity is training. Members are free to determine their own level of participation in Reserve activities and may resign from the Reserve at any time. Their service is provided entirely on a voluntary basis with no compulsion to attend. Members of the...

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

Willie O'Dea: The survey undertaken by the military authorities was conducted in order to identify the technical, mechanical and specialist skill sets available within the Reserve and the results have been recorded in a database compiled by the military authorities. This is part of the process in progressing the plan to allow for members of the Reserve to serve overseas. It is hoped that, in line with...

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

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an ongoing capital programme designed to modernize and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The provision of training facilities,...

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

Willie O'Dea: I am advised that there is a procurement programme in place to have all barracks or posts equipped with at least one defibrillator. The procurement programme is ongoing and I understand that at the moment, over half of military barracks/posts are equipped with defibrillators. In addition, all of the eight Naval Service ships are equipped with a defibrillator as are Air Corps aircraft, as...

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

Willie O'Dea: In cases where a member of the Defence Forces requires a refraction test for the purpose of determining his/her need for spectacles or contact lenses, the test is carried out either at St. Bricin's Hospital or by a local Optician, depending upon which is more convenient. In cases where an eye examination by an Ophthalmologist is required, appropriate referral to an Ophthalmologist is made by...

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

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) comprising approximately 12,000 personnel. This policy position has not changed. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan was formally launched in July 2004 and provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009. The plan set out the proposed...