Results 4,661-4,680 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as at 31 October, 2009 was 6,853, comprising Army 6,560, and Naval Service 293. In the context of the Government Decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the RDF was suspended earlier this year....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am satisfied that each of the services, Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles assigned to them by Government. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been assisted by pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 145 together. The Permanent Defence Force receives ongoing training to enable them to participate fully in UN, EU and other missions overseas. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training, designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Army for each of the past 5 years and as of 31 October, 2009 is set out in the tabular statement below. This statement also provides figures for the Air Corps and the Naval Service for the same period. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (24 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The sum of €3.8m, representing the insured value of Asgard II, has been received by my Department. A decision on the question of funding the procurement of a replacement vessel for Asgard II will be made in the context of finalising the Estimates for my Department for 2010. That process is on going and it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the matter at this stage.

Written Answers — National Library: National Library (24 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces do not hold the documents referred to. I have made enquiries into the matter and I have been informed that the papers are held in the National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 and are available for viewing.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The premises leased by my Department for use by the Reserve Defence Forces are outlined in the tabular statement. Rents paid for these premises are based on a number of factors including size, location and quality of the facilities and vary considerably. Information on the rents paid in respect of these premises is commercially sensitive and therefore not available. However, the...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (24 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act, 1938. The Order sets out the basis on which the Society shall be governed. It provides that there shall be a Central Council which shall exercise the powers of the Society, organise the Society and control and manage the affairs of the Society. Membership of...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In 2008 and to date in 2009, my Department has spent a total of €14,199.56 on translation of documents in order to fulfil the requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003. As the printing costs for combined Irish language / English language documents are not disaggregated by language, the specific printing costs of the Irish language elements are unavailable. In line with good business...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military Office within my Department. The Office supports the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, and continues to work with Government departments and agencies to ensure effective coordination, the sharing of information and the best...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The National Emergency Coordination Centre has been used on an ongoing basis since it was established in mid 2007. The Centre is available to all government departments and agencies for use in emergency planning and response. It is the venue for meetings of the Governmental Task Force on Emergency Planning, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning and the National Steering...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Emergency Planning was established as a joint civil and military office within the Department of Defence. The Office supports the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which is chaired by the Minister for Defence and it works with other departments and agencies to ensure effective coordination and the best possible use of resources. A key area of activity...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Emergency planning in this country is developed on the 'lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for planning for emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. The Framework for Major Emergency Management is the document that sets out a structure enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's White Paper on Defence (February 2000) sets out the roles the Defence Forces might play in the provision of support and services in Aid to the Civil Power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), and the provision of assistance to the Civil Authorities for a range of emergency situations. Many of the services that the Defence Forces can provide...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nod. 246 and 248 together. The Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning (IDWG) has met on two occasions to date in 2009. The role of the Group is to support the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. It is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning and is a forum for developing strategic guidance for all those involved in...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps, dwelling houses and training lands. The principal assets are 23 permanently occupied barracks. The Department also owns 26 premises that are used by the Reserve Defence Forces. A further 51 properties are rented for use by the Reserve. The property portfolio also...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020. I understand that a Taskforce on electric vehicles has been established, comprising a number of Government Departments and Agencies, to advise on the options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the national roll-out of electric vehicles in a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from the relevant Defence Forces Brigade respond to requests for assistance, made by an Garda Síochána, in dealing with suspect devices and the removal of old ordnance. The Defence Forces EOD Team is required to treat all devices as suspect until the EOD Officer confirms the nature of the device at the scene. The total number of call outs...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven (7) members...