Results 981-1,000 of 12,629 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 161 together. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I will continue the good work in that regard. The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service was made...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: In order to reach the requisite level of interoperability, and taking account of the short timeframes envisaged for the deployment of the EU's rapid reaction elements, it would seem to me that the various forces and elements comprising a battlegroup would need to be familiar with the equipment, standard operating procedures, organisation and operations of the group as a whole. However, that...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The most important defence against any terrorist attack is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning, in practice, to assist the Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The various components of the Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland is currently contributing approximately 749 Defence Forces personnel to 19 different missions throughout the world. The main commitments are to: the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, with 413 personnel; the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo, with 210 personnel; and EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 54 personnel. Other personnel...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised that biofuels or a combination of biofuels with diesel are not currently used in any vehicle of the Defence Forces transport fleet. The Defence Forces take into account any developments in the fuel market as part of the ongoing management of the fleet.

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (5 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There are no plans to close the military facility at Rockhill House. The relocation of ordnance from Rockhill House Barracks was an operational decision taken by the relevant military authorities. I understand that it has the effect of increasing the number of troops available for ongoing training and operational requirements and targets which must be met by the 28th Infantry Battalion.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on 3 December 2003 provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. The date envisaged for the move to Newbridge is the second quarter of 2007. The Office of Public Works is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (5 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: To date 87 of the houses at Orchard Park have been sold to the occupants and work regarding the sales of the remaining 13 houses at the estate is ongoing. The roads, footpaths and services at the estate will have to be brought up to the required standard before they will be taken in charge by Kildare County Council and it is hoped to undertake the necessary works in that regard as soon as...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces headquarters decentralisation implementation group is planning for the relocation of those elements of the headquarters that will be relocated to the Curragh. Some elements of Defence Forces headquarters will also be relocated to Newbridge with my Department. Plans for the decentralisation of Defence Forces headquarters are progressing. A site within Defence Forces property...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (11 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Periodic interest has been expressed regarding the use of my Department's lands at Gormanston for commercial purposes, including use as a flight training school. The Deputy will be aware, however, that on 1 July 2003, the Government agreed that lands at Gormanston, County Meath, would be among the State lands released under the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. The modalities...

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

Willie O'Dea: As I indicated in my reply to a Priority Question in the House on 29 September 2005, I initiated contact with Mrs. Helen Barrett, following the inquest into the death of her son, Private Kevin Barrett. Private Barrett died on 18 February 1999, while serving with the 84th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon. I met with Mrs. Barrett on 4 October, 2005, accompanied by her solicitor. I listened...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together. Since Ireland took part in its first United Nations mission in 1958, Defence Forces personnel have performed approximately 54,000 tours of duty on 58 peace support operations worldwide. Because UN peacekeepers operate in strife-torn regions, practically every officer, NCO and private who has served overseas has been exposed to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (11 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There are currently no plans to close any of the military posts at Finner Camp, Lifford and Rockhill House, Letterkenny or to dispose of property in County Donegal, other than the transfer of a portion of lands at Finner Camp to Donegal County Council, for the purposes of constructing a waste water treatment works. The Department's property portfolio is, however, kept under continual review...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Opposition would be dreary and scary in Government.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (12 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Name Purpose Estimated Cost Cost â'¬ â'¬ 2000 Mr. Mike Ginn To assist and advise with a tender competition for the supply of Medium Lift Helicopters for Search and Rescue Not available 121,682 2000-01 Exselan Computer Systems To facilitate development of Department's E-Government Strategy...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Civil Service posts at the levels of assistant secretary and deputy secretary are covered by a scheme of performance-related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the committee for performance awards. The funding of awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. Prior to the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (12 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has awarded consultancy contracts to Deloitte, previously known as Deloitte & Touche, on two occasions since 1 July 1997. Between July 2001 and November 2001, my Department paid €127,925 in respect of assistance provided with the proposed introduction of a new financial and management system for the Department and the Defence Forces. Between September 2003 and August 2004, my...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (18 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The property in question comprises a site of approximately 0.6 acres, together with a dilapidated prefabricated structure. The property was vacated by the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, in March 2004 on health and safety grounds. A Portacabin on the site is currently used for storage. As it is not feasible to refurbish the prefabricated structure, it has been decided to offer the site for sale...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (18 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I assume the Deputy is referring to the civilian personnel employed in building maintenance work at military installations throughout the country. I should explain that under the Sustaining Progress agreement the application of pay increases arising under the benchmarking process to employees in the State sector requires the approval of the relevant performance verification group, PVG, for...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 770 and 771 together. No payments of the type referred to by the Deputy, overtime, additional allowances or ex gratia payments, were made to staff who work in my Department's press office in respect of persons being on call and their attendance at work before or after normal hours.