Results 4,881-4,900 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 262 and 263 together. Emergency planning in this country is developed on the "lead Department" principle. This means that each Department is responsible for planning for and responding to those emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. In my capacity of Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I brought a document,...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. In accordance with the roles assigned to them by the Government in the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities including in relation to search and rescue. In this regard, the Naval...

Written Answers — Overseas Assistance: Overseas Assistance (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will appreciate that in the context of the current disaster in Haiti there are a number of responses that can be made by Ireland, the EU, and other international organisations. The immediate EU response to the earthquake in Haiti and its terrible consequences was dealt with at an emergency meeting of EU Development Ministers on Monday of this week attended by my colleague the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Following the closure of the Army Apprentice School in 1998, and in order to ensure the availability of the requisite levels of technical skills in the Defence Forces, a Trainee Technician Scheme and an Apprentice Scheme were introduced. Personnel already serving in the Defence Forces enter the Trainee Technician Scheme while civilian personnel who join the Defence Forces to begin their...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been facilitated by the re-investment both of pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (21 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: There were no task forces set up or commissioned in my Department in 2007, 2008 or 2009. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to reports, commissioned in this period, is set out in the table. Year Status of Report Reason Cost€ 2007 Completed To Carry out Independent Quality Assessment of VFM Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces. The Report was received in...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (21 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The future use of the GPO including the possible development of cultural and amenity projects is under consideration. The decision on its future use will have regard to all advice and suggestions received.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: In response to the Deputy's question I wish to state that there were no tribunals of enquiry conducted by my Department and therefore no costs have been incurred to date in 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information requested in relation to the yearly costs is as follows: Name of Agency Cost 2009 Cost 2010 Civil Defence Board €6,148,000 (Grant In Aid) €6,148,000 (Grant In Aid) Army Pensions Board €104,000 €110,000 Coiste an Asgard received a...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information in relation to the number of whole time equivalent staff employed in the Agencies in 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following table: Name of Agency 2007 2008 2009 Civil Defence Board 21.6 24.6 24.6 Army Pensions Board 2 2 2 Coiste an...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 473 together. In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, the Defence Forces in their role as aid to the civil power (an Garda Síochána) and aid to the civil authorities (i.e. local authorities, HSE, etc.) can be called upon to provide support to locally based services. During the recent period of severe weather conditions, I...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged on an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The programme provides for new starts and the continuation of capital building projects already underway. The amount allocated in 2010 for this programme is €12.8m of which €7m approx. will be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The property referred to by the Deputy will be disposed of, taking account of market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the State and generate funding for reinvestment in Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Jan 2010)

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)...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland is currently contributing 758 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas, including the dates from which the Defence Forces have participated in these missions, are listed in the tabular statement below. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I understand that the claim processed under the C&A scheme in 2007 referred to payments for substitution. These payments are not pensionable in the case of the former personnel in question.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (27 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The question of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review. Requests for Defence Forces participation in new missions are considered on a case by case basis within the context of the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System (UNSAS) and this would be the case with any such request for Defence Forces assistance to the Haiti mission. Currently the United...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Sorry.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: That is a well-worn line.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Could Deputy Coonan be original for once? Is it too much to expect?