Results 6,601-6,620 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter
- Defence Forces Strength (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: I do not have that information with me, but I will furnish it to the Deputy.
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: As I have previously outlined to the House, the consolidation of the Defence Forces formations in a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the ongoing defence modernisation programme and has been recommended in many reports in recent years. This was a key consideration of the Government in addressing the issue, as releasing personnel from security and support functions enables the...
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: We have dealt with this issue on many occasions. The main objective of barracks closures is to release personnel for operational duties. Closures are needed to relieve the Defence Forces of the burden of manning and securing the barracks which are to be closed and maximise the proportion of personnel who can be released for front-line duties. The strength of the Army has been cut to its...
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: I have already responded to the questions raised by the Deputy.
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by the Government to the Defence Forces. On 15 November 2011 the Government approved a proposal from me to proceed with a further phase of consolidation of Defence Forces personnel in fewer locations with the closure of four barracks - the barracks in...
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: I will reply to the last question first. My Department has been actively engaged in seeking alternative uses for the barracks involved. There has been real interest in possible uses, but I do not wish to go into this in great detail now. Engagements and discussions are taking place in the case of each barracks. There is real potential for the properties to be utilised in a manner that is...
- Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: These issues are still being addressed. I do not think it will be necessary to do so. In Mullingar, for example, I do not see that as an issue because of the proximity of Athlone. I will come back to the Deputy in that regard. The only advertisement I am aware of having been placed so far relates to Cavan.
- Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces are primarily deployed on overseas missions in support of international peace and security under UN mandates. 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 NATOâled UN...
- Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: I know the Deputy has a paranoia about the United States. I remind the Deputy that when this mission commenced the Taliban were in control in Afghanistan and women were not allowed to participate in education, were stoned for alleged misconduct and were not allowed to be seen in public without their faces being covered and wearing the hijab. Following the murderous atrocity of 11 September...
- Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: I have outlined for the Deputy the deployment of seven members of the Defence Forces and the work they do. That work has been an important contribution in a very difficult area. It would be interesting, for once, to hear the Deputy explain how she would solve the problems of a very difficult and fraught country such as Afghanistan. I do not have the solutions for the difficulties in that...
- Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: If the troops were to withdraw we would consult with and advise the other countries engaged in the mission. No decision has been made for their withdrawal. We are aware of plans of other countries for dealing with matters and for what may happen in Afghanistan. This issue is under constant review. The Defence Forces personnel serving in Afghanistan are rotated on a six monthly basis.
- Defence Policy (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The White Paper on defence has provided the policy framework and development strategy for defence for the past decade. The planning certainty arising from the policy provisions of the White Paper underpinned the modernisation process within the defence organisation. It also afforded the requisite flexibility to develop appropriate capabilities in response to changes in the defence and...
- Defence Policy (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The idea is that we will ultimately produce a White Paper that will prescribe the policy approach to defence matters for the next decade, as the previous White Paper did for the last decade. The Green Paper will be a consultative document. It will be produced by my Department in consultation with others. I hope that not just Members of the House but also the broader community will engage...
- Defence Policy (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The Green Paper will be published and any group or individual across civil society, including those in schools and third level colleges, will be free to engage in a process to hold debates, make proposals and feed into the thinking in the finalisation of the White Paper. The intention is to use it to increase public knowledge of the Defence Forces and the role they play. Their participation...
- Haulbowline Island (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: In June 2011 the Government decided that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine would chair a working group to oversee the clean-up of the former Ispat site on Haulbowline Island. My Department is represented on the working group. Cork County Council is acting as an agent of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the technical aspects of an application to the...
- Haulbowline Island (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The lead Department, as mentioned, is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I do not have the information the Deputy is seeking on the licence. There is a need for a landfill licence, as stipulated by the European Commission. Perhaps the Deputy might consider putting a question to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in order to obtain a more detailed response.
- Defence Forces Reserve (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: A value for money review of the Defence Forces Reserve is ongoing and the recommendations arising from it will inform future plans for the reserve. In addition, I have initiated a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces in response to the outcome of the comprehensive review of expenditure. This will encompass a reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two which will...
- Defence Forces Reserve (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The issue of the Reserve Defence Force will have to be addressed within the overall reorganisation and these reorganisation matters will not be delayed by the production of the White Paper. As the Green Paper will be produced towards the end of the year, part of 2013 will be taken up with the public process and the White Paper will come thereafter. I hope there will be a clearer view at an...
- Defence Forces Reserve (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: That matter is being addressed at the moment.
- Naval Service Operations (8 Feb 2012)
Alan Shatter: The Naval Service commits a number of its annual patrol days to foreign deployments. In 2011, 54 days out of a total of 1,480 patrol days were committed to visits outside Irish waters. Following discussions between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, my Department, and the Naval Service, locations are considered on the basis of the optimum yield that can be derived for Ireland. The...