Results 4,101-4,120 of 12,635 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: At the moment.

Defence Forces Equipment. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I will get the exact figure for the Deputy, but the Air Corps is close to its authorised maximum figure.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The recent Government decision on savings measures on public service numbers is being implemented in the Defence Forces. The implications of the decision are under consideration by my officials in consultation with the military authorities and the Department of Finance. I am advised that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government at home and...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: There were a number of points. I understand the Deputy's comments on promotion. A question arises as to whether people who have gone through most of the promotional process, up to and including the medical stage, can be put through the system. This is a matter I will discuss with the Minister for Finance. No cadet intake is planned for this year-----

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: -----as matters stand. While Deputy Deenihan is aware there has been a cadet intake into the Army every year since the early 1980s, there is a recruitment embargo at present. Incidentally, a number of other issues arise in this regard, such as the question of fixed short-term contracts, when people have an expectation or commitment to go on to become full-time officers in the Army. I must...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I stated in my initial reply that I am quite satisfied and will ensure in my talks with the Department of Finance that the capacity of the Army to do its job, both as an aid to the civil power and in performance of its overseas duties, will not be materially affected by the recruitment embargo. As for cadet recruitment, I did not state there would not be a recruitment competition this year....

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: For the present.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Just a minute.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Recruitment is suspended for the present, pending my talks with the Minister for Finance. As for the technical questions raised by Deputy Deenihan, these all are matters which are being discussed at present. I am discussing them with the representative organisations and the military authorities and, ultimately, I will discuss them with the Department of Finance. I am not taking these...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I reiterate I am satisfied the Army will be capable of doing its job both at home and overseas. As for recruitment, it has been suspended across all branches of the Army for the present. However, this is a matter I will discuss with the Minister for Finance.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment to the public service with effect from 27 March 2009. In this context and given the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the Defence Forces, which includes both the Reserve Defence Force and the cadets, has been suspended for the present. The moratorium and the reduction in the pay budget were introduced as...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I do not accept that morale is low in the Defence Forces. The Department of Defence has been very responsible in expenditure since the White Paper. It is probably the best behaved Department in the State from the point of view of public expenditure.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Nevertheless, we are in difficult economic times and each Department must accept a certain amount of pain. Considering the figures, the Department is accepting less of the pain than others in recognition of what it has achieved in the past. I am acutely aware of those who went through the process and were then told they cannot join the reserve. I am discussing this matter with the...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The difficulty is we have only a certain amount to pay people who engage in training.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I understand that. My officials have a difficulty with the idea of a sort of two-tier reserve, with one group entitled to take up paid days while another group is excluded. That is one side of the story. The other side relates to the Deputy's valid point that we want to include people if possible. They have evinced an interest in the matter and it is damaging to morale and disillusioning...

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A saving, particularly as regards public expenditure, can sometimes consist of an accumulation of small savings. I imagine the amount is quite small but it is part of an overall pattern.

Defence Forces Strength. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I will get the figure for the Deputy. On the question regarding man days, just in excess of 81,000 man days were utilised last year and this year we have provision for 60,000 man days, according to the difference in financing. I believe that is something in the order of €2 million but I will get the exact figure for the Deputy.

Military Uniforms. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A maternity wear uniform was introduced into the Defence Forces in the middle part of the 1990s. The provision of this type of uniform has been an evolving process. There have been many design and specification changes over time in response to reviews and submissions on the need for change or alteration to the uniform. This change process has always had at its core the needs and comfort of...

Military Uniforms. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: We must do everything to encourage more females to join the Defence Forces because at present, they make up just over 5% of the force. I agree with the Deputy on that point. However, female members of the Defence Forces who are pregnant are not deployed on overseas duties. In addition, if they are members of the Naval Service, they are not be deployed at sea and if they are members of the...

Military Uniforms. (6 May 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I accept that it is not a question of people being on duty. I was merely making the point that the Defence Forces do not ignore the fact that people might be pregnant. I take the Deputy's point that Defence Forces personnel want to feel as comfortable as possible. The uniform was last redesigned in the mid-1990s. If improvements can be made - and in light of developments in the interim - I...