Results 781-800 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate in overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. The conditions, which are known as the triple lock, must be satisfied. The operation must be mandated by the United Nations and it must be approved by the Government and by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann. Section 2 of the Defence...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The question of whether Ireland can participate in EU battle groups within the confines of the triple lock system is under examination by my Department. We intend to identify the obstacles that exist in this regard while ensuring the triple lock is maintained. The feedback I receive from the public indicates there is great confidence in the triple lock mechanism. It provides significant...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Murphy proposes that we replace the requirement that overseas missions must be authorised or established by the UN with more vague criteria. That would involve unlocking one of the three locks of the triple lock and is against my policy.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The European Union, which produces 25% of world GDP and has a population of 450 million, is one of the richest trading blocks in the world. Recognising its wealth, influence and impact on world affairs and conscious of the obligations such a position brings, the Union has committed itself to support, through all the various means at its disposal, international peace and security. The...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question related to the military hardware to be used by the EU battle groups. I have told him in quite reasonable language that the type of military hardware that will be used will depend on the mission in which a particular battle group is engaged. If it is involved in mainly humanitarian tasks, it will be the type of equipment to which I referred. If it is involved in a...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Last Monday, a meeting of Defence Ministers was held in Brussels. Of the many countries which will participate in battle groups, none intends to increase defence expenditure and neither does Ireland. A requirement catalogue which sets out the possible weaponry requirements of battle groups in operations will be finalised under the EU Presidency. In addition, an organisation, the European...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Drug abuse has long been recognised as a serious and escalating problem in our society and while there have been relatively few instances of drug related problems within the Defence Forces, it is recognised that the Defence Forces, as a component of the wider community, mirror the community at large. The implications of drug abuse in an organisation where personnel have access to firearms are...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to the last question is "yes". On the question of which drugs are tested for, a controlled drug is as specified in the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 and includes any substance, product or preparation that is declared by order of the Government to be a controlled drug for the purpose of the Act. As I mentioned earlier, 2,418...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to the latter question is "yes". They are immediately stood down but have access to an appeals procedure which I can communicate to the House or the Deputy if he so wishes. I do not know the answer to the question on passive smoking of cannabis. In theory, it could give rise to a positive test result but, as I have stated, an appeals procedure is available. People must be given the...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with Deputy Finian McGrath. As I said to Deputy Sherlock, in terms of access to weapons, it would be a serious matter if there were a problem of widespread drug abuse in the Army. That is the reason for the test, which acts as a deterrent. The consequences, as Deputy McGrath noted, are serious but the sanctions, if one is caught, are also significant. The reaction of personnel has...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7, 21 and 41 together. The Air Corps has a 40-aircraft complement comprising 14 helicopters and 26 fixed-wing aircraft. The type and age of the aircraft is set out in the tabular statement. In January 2005, two contracts were signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps at a cost of over €61 million. At a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with the Deputy that the strongest possible Air Corps is necessary. The eight Pilatus aircraft which we acquired last year are replacing seven Marchetti aircraft which had an average age of 28 years and were becoming obsolete. While six new helicopters will replace 12 old aircraft, lower maintenance demands and greater efficiency will allow them to deliver nearly twice the flying...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It is not currently envisaged.

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: While the agreement is not yet finalised, I am advised that it is almost concluded. The question of a dedicated air ambulance service is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Health and Children. There are plans, however, on foot of the service level agreement to involve the Air Corps. The detailed service level agreement will set out the details of the specific capabilities...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: No.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 30 together. As the House is aware, the circumstances in which the Defence Forces may participate in overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. For participation to take place, the conditions known as the triple lock must be satisfied. According to the triple lock, an operation must be authorised or mandated by the...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Our contribution in the eyes of the world will not be undermined. The world has shown great admiration for our contribution over the past 50 years which has been made within the constraints of the triple lock and which will continue. The rapid reaction proposal is one further element which consists of a relatively small group of 1,500 troops going in at five days' notice from the time the...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am personally committed to the triple lock, as Deputy Gormley recognised, but I also speak for the Cabinet. That is Government policy. We will stick with the triple lock. In regard to Deputy Gormley's reference to À la carte members of battle groups, my understanding is that one cannot become an À la carte member of a battle group, one is either in or out. Our non-participation in common...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: No, the triple lock is not written into the Constitution but non-participation in common defence will suffice in this regard.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not share Deputy Gormley's pessimism.