Results 741-760 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (5 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Department of Finance, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, has been considering whether tax clearance certificates can and should be required of persons being considered for appointment to State boards. Based on the outcome of that process, further consideration will be given as to whether any change to the existing arrangements is appropriate.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (5 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together. Defence and defence policy is a fundamental expression of national sovereignty. In that context, defence spending is a matter for the Government and has to be undertaken in a prudent and balanced fashion having due regard to the prevailing national socio-economic environment. The Government's White Paper on Defence, published in February...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am a man who can only do so much.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from concerns that continuing use of the pitch and putt facilities in question, which are held under licence from the Department of Defence, may present serious health and safety hazards for members and visitors, it was decided to suspend further use of the facilities with immediate effect, pending a complete safety assessment of the site. This decision was conveyed in writing to the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decided on 1 July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare, would be among the State lands released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. This initiative will be aimed at those who in the past would have expected to purchase a house from their own resources but find that they are unable to do so in the current market. The release of State lands under...

Written Answers — Military Discipline: Military Discipline (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The matter referred to is the subject of a formal application for redress of wrongs which has been forwarded to me, after due process through the military chain of command, by a member of the Permanent Defence Force under the terms of Section 114 of the Defence Act 1954. As I intend to refer the matter to the complaints inquiry officer, under the administrative arrangements agreed with the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has been in contact with Kildare County Council in this matter. The council advised the cost of bringing the road in question up to the standard required to have it taken in charge. My Department has recently written to the council agreeing to pay the amount involved if, in line with normal practice, the council arranges to have the necessary works carried out.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To date, 86 of the houses at Orchard Park have been sold to the occupants and the sale of the remaining 14 houses at the estate is ongoing. Kildare County Council has advised that the roads, services etc. at Orchard Park will have to be brought up to the required standard before they will be taken in charge. It is hoped to undertake a programme of works later in the year to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Military Service Allowance: Military Service Allowance (10 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Military service allowance was made pensionable in the case of Defence Forces' personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990 on foot of a recommendation of the commission on remuneration and conditions of service in the defence forces, the Gleeson commission. This approach is fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made...

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Rabbitte is lying.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Somebody should quiet that poltroon.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: That is very funny. We get value for money while the Labour Party had no such success.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Rabbitte is the Woody Allen of Marxism.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: What did the late Brendan Corish of the Labour Party do?

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The late Brendan Corish knew what John Boland was signing; he was aware of the situation——

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: What happened to Shergar?

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (11 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that the individual in question is undergoing training under the Defence Forces trainee technician scheme. His future on this scheme is currently being reviewed arising from an assessment of his performance on the most recent phase of his training. He is not eligible for deployment overseas with 93rd Infantry Battalion, UNMIL, pending the outcome of the review...

Written Answers — Fairtrade Products: Fairtrade Products (12 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Procurement by my Department, including the Defence Forces, must be carried out in accordance with Government contracts procedures and European Union directives, under which the award of contracts is primarily based on the quality of the product and cost. It is not open to me, therefore, to favour suppliers of Fairtrade approved products over other suppliers in purchases by my Department....

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (12 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There is one vacancy on the board of Coiste an Asgard, which I am in the process of filling. There are no other vacancies on statutory boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together. Under the Defence Forces pension schemes, the minimum service required for an immediate pension in the case of NCOs and privates is 21 years. The pension for 21 years service consists of the following elements: (a) a basic flat rate pension which varies according to rank; (b) an addition in respect of military service allowance, MSA, in...