Results 901-920 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Disciplinary Action: Defence Forces Disciplinary Action (28 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The pay of the person in question has been withheld with effect from 31 August 2005 following notification by the relevant military authorities that since 26 August 2005 his absence from his unit has been unauthorised. The military authorities advise that he is currently deemed to be absent without official leave. As the case in question is the subject of legal correspondence it would be...

Written Answers — Hearing Impairment Claims: Hearing Impairment Claims (28 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There is no record of the named person, at either of the addresses provided ever having initiated a hearing loss compensation claim against my Department through the courts, nor is there any trace of an application for a hearing loss disability pension from the Army Pensions Board. Army personnel records do not show the named person, at either of the addresses provided, as ever having been...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (28 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: My department does not own any property in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area. Facilities at the Coast Guard station at Dún Laoghaire harbour are used by the Reserve Defence Force under a lease agreement with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement: Defence Forces Retirement (28 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The individual concerned was retired by the President on the advice of the Government with effect from a date in June 1969. The retirement was effected pursuant to section 47(2) of the Defence Act 1954 and paragraph 18(1)(f) of Defence Force Regulations A.15, which provide that an officer may be retired "in the interests of the service". The individual initiated proceedings in the High Court...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The case to which the Deputies refer is that of Private Kevin Barrett, who died on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th infantry battalion in Lebanon. I avail of this opportunity to express my sympathy to the family of Private Barrett on their sad loss. The death of Private Barrett was the subject of a UN board of inquiry and an Irish...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I share the concern of the Deputies but I prefer to meet Mrs. Barrett to hear what she has to say. I do not need Deputy Timmins to tell me what she thinks. In respect of the inquiry, sometimes it is impossible to ascertain the circumstances in which someone died. In this case there have been inquiries by the UN, the Irish army and a three day inquest. In none of those cases was there a...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, but it did not conclude if it was accidental or deliberate.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To answer Deputy Sherlock first, the lady in question did not seek to meet me. I initiated the contact with her and I will meet her next week. The inquest finished just last Tuesday fortnight. There has been no avoidable delay on my part. I initiated the contact with Mrs. Barrett. I wish to correct the record of the House. Deputy Timmins is absolutely wrong in the implications in his...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy implied that it was not released. It was.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As an ex-Army officer, Deputy Timmins should know that United Nations boards of inquiry are internal documents of the United Nations. They are made available to state authorities on condition that they cannot be released or made public in any way, including for judicial proceedings. However, with the agreement of the United Nations, a copy of that part of the UN board of inquiry entitled...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy said as clear as a bell would I not trigger an inquiry from a casual glance at the information.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I will have another inquiry if I deem it necessary and having studied the matter properly, not in a casual manner, because it is not a case that should be dealt with in a casual manner.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It has been given to them. A copy of the Defence Forces contingent board of inquiry has already been released to the Barrett family's legal team. I will inquire how long it took to release it or whether there was an undue delay.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I repeat I will initiate any inquiries and seek the support and help of anyone to pursue these inquiries. However, there will be such inquiries as I determine are warranted having studied fully all the evidence and information available in the case.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 5 and 165 together. The background to the rapid response elements concept, commonly referred to as battle groups, is that at the European Council in Helsinki in 1999, member states set themselves a headline goal that by the year 2003, co-operating together and voluntarily, they would be able to deploy rapidly and then sustain forces capable of the full...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the report. I anticipated the Attorney General's office would be a bit speedier than it has proved to be. However, I expect to hear from the Attorney General next week and there will be no avoidable delay in bringing the matter to Cabinet. Second, Deputy Gormley is absolutely wrong. He could not be more wrong even to imagine that I would abandon the triple lock method. I am...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I said on several occasions in this House, and I repeat today, that we understand the rationale of battle groups, rapid reaction in modern warfare and terrorism conditions, and we will participate provided we can do so while at the same holding onto the triple lock.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As I outlined to the House on a number of occasions, there are some difficulties, particularly about Irish troops travelling abroad and the requirement for Dáil approval, a UN mandate, etc. This applies currently when people travel abroad to participate in peacekeeping if the number is more than 12 and they are under arms. I do not wish to anticipate the report but it may be necessary, for...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have not received the report because the Attorney General has not forwarded his advice which will underpin the report. However, I expect that advice will be available next week. I did not say that legislative change would not be necessary. I said a legislative amendment will probably be necessary.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes. That is my opinion but I must await the advice of the Attorney General. There is no conflict between me and the Minister for Foreign Affairs or any other Minister on this matter. We are all ad idem in our commitment to the triple lock, and our determination to respond to the entreaties of the United Nations and its Secretary General and the demands of international peacekeeping by...