Results 3,901-3,920 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (4 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which was on standby from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2008. The other members of the Nordic Battlegroup were Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The Defence Forces contribution to the NBG was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD) contingent with its own security...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Insofar as my Department is concerned no laptops, artworks, paintings, sculptures, computers, mobile telephones, blackberries or other equipment has been reported lost or stolen since 2007 or to date in 2009. In relation to the Defence Forces, no artwork as described has been reported lost or stolen in the same period. Regarding ICT equipment, one laptop was reported stolen from a private...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department does not have a contract with any taxi firm. The amounts expended by my officials on taxi fares in 2007 and 2008 are set out in the table. Year Amount â'¬ 2007 26,689.65 2008 33,583.31

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department utilises external facilities for the storage of files. The storage space involved was sourced through the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the cost is borne on the OPW Vote. The contract has been in place since September 2006 and is due for review in September 2009. The review will be conducted in the context of the decentralisation of my Department's Dublin-based Offices to...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities conducted a detailed review of the immediate requirements to enable the closure of Monaghan, Lifford, Rockhill and Longford Barracks. In addition to some immediate renovation work, medium term capital works to provide more permanent arrangements for the transferring personnel, have also been identified. These works will be completed as part of the ongoing Capital...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: It is anticipated that the barracks closed in January 2009 will be disposed of, taking account of market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces and generate funding for reinvestment in Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure in accordance with Government policy.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The role of the Defence Forces in relation to civil emergencies is to provide assistance as aid to the civil authority in response to requests from the principal response agency. The level of support that can be provided by the Defence Forces is demand led and provided on an "as available basis", having regard to both current and contingent Defence Forces operational commitments. There is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (5 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 December 2008, the most recent date for which figures are available, was 10,408. A total of 507 recruits were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Forces during 2008. 441 were recruited to the Army and 66 to the Naval Service. In...

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (10 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 to 435, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputies to my reply in the House last Wednesday, 4 February, to Questions Nos. 100 and 101. I will make a decision this week in relation to the salvage of Asgard II.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to consultancy firms used by my Department during the period 1 January 2008 to 14 October 2008 is set out in the following table. No new contracts have been entered into by my Department in the period from 15 October 2008 to date. Year Name of Consultancy firm Work Carried Out Cost of Project Status € 2008 Murray Consultants...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Civil Service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the Committee for Performance Awards (CPA). Details of awards to individual officers under the scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However, I can say that during...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (11 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: There are no plans at present to reduce the number of civilian posts in the Defence Forces. However, in view of recent budgetary developments, it is anticipated that, for the time being, recruitment of civilian employees will only take place in exceptional circumstances. This Department is in the process of recruiting a civilian clerk for the Combined Vehicle Base Workshops, Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (12 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information as requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department is as follows. 2007 Month Month Total Granted Part Granted Refused Handled outside FOI / Withdrawn Transferred January 3 1 2 February 2 1 1 March 3 1 2 April 1 1 May 1 1 June 2 2 July 6 1 1 4 August 1 1 September 0 0 ...

Written Answers — [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel: [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel (12 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I have received the recommendation of the Board of Coiste an Asgard regarding the proposed salvage of Asgard II and I will be announcing my decision in the matter in the coming days.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The property in question is surplus to military requirements and consideration is being given to its disposal. In this connection, Department officials met with the stakeholders in December 2008 to ascertain if they would have an interest in acquiring the portion of the property that they currently occupy. The matter remains under consideration in my Department with a view to making a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (12 Feb 2009)

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 (ATCP) assist the Gardaí as required. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a request is made by An Garda Síochána, to the relevant Brigade, for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for...

Seanad: Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Statements (12 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: That is all right.

Seanad: Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Statements (12 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Acting Chairman will know, it is sometimes easier to move billions of euro than to move cows. I thank Senators for their comments on the Government's recapitalisation plans for Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland. I reiterate the comments of my colleagues when I say the measures announced today are intended to reinforce the stability of our financial system, increase confidence in...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (17 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 368 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I was asked to defer my final determination in this matter pending the receipt and consideration of some material from a third party. That material has been received and is being examined. I will be announcing my decision in the coming days regarding the question of whether or not to proceed with the salvage...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (17 Feb 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, together. The Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D., and Minister of State Trevor Sargent T.D., have not availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service since being appointed in June 2007. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan T.D. has availed of the...