Results 1,301-1,320 of 1,415 for speaker:Tom Kitt

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I will convey Deputy O'Shea's view on the scholarship-type system to my officials and will ask them to convey it to the consultants examining the options available. There are problems with personnel because there are 21 doctors in the medical corps. We need more and, in the absence of a sufficient number of military and medical officers, civilian doctors and dentists are employed on a...

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I will convey Deputy Deenihan's point to my officials. The medical corps is not immune to the wider challenges in the medical field. In addition to the pay and allowance factors, career opportunities for a young doctor in the Defence Forces and other ways to attract a medical officer are being examined. The Minister will be in a position to report on progress in due course.

Overseas Missions. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 11, 14, 23, 25, 35, 46, 157 and 161 together. The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778, was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. Ireland will be the second largest...

Overseas Missions. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: If the House will allow, I will revert to the Deputy with some details on that incident. As he is aware, the troops are present to protect the displaced people and refugees and must be careful not to become directly involved in issues that are the responsibility of the Chadian Government. EUFOR needed to ensure it did not become involved in the fighting in early April between the Chadian...

Overseas Missions. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Regarding subsidised leave flights, particular arrangements were made in the context of Liberia because its members had a six-month tour of duty, whereas personnel on the Chadian mission will serve four-month tours of duty. As the Deputy stated, they will not be availing of——

Overseas Missions. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Yes. I will happily check the position concerning anyone who will be present for six months. In my response to a priority question, I stated my agreement with the Deputies concerning the importance of identifying the distinct nature of the Irish contingent. We are being deployed in Goz Beida in eastern Chad and French forces are being deployed in a sector south of us encompassing the north...

Overseas Missions. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I am happy to state the EUFOR mission to Chad is the most multinational military operation conducted in Africa by the European Union thus far. As the Deputy is aware, at least 17 EU member states will deploy, including France, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Romania, Austria, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Greece....

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 19 together. All members of the Permanent Defence Force are required to undergo an annual medical examination. In 2007, a total of 8,111 annual medical examinations were conducted with a shortfall of 2,323. The figures in respect of earlier years are being collated and will be provided to the Deputies as soon as they are available. The shortage of...

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The introduction of consultants to consider the matter indicates the present position must be improved. It constitutes an indication that something must be done. However, sick soldiers receive the requisite care and the services of civilian medical practitioners are used to back up the Medical Corps to ensure the primary health care requirements arising in barracks are met. One must...

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The doctor in question was appointed as a medical officer in the Permanent Defence Force on a short service commission of 12 months on 1 May 2007 after undergoing the standard recruitment process for doctors. This included an interview by the Defence Forces, a medical examination by the Defence Forces, security clearance by the Garda Síochána and registration validation with the Irish...

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I acknowledge that lessons must be learnt from this matter. The person did not have permission to enter the State and Deputy O'Shea made a valid point about the need for Departments to co-operate more closely and on improvements to checking systems. It is important we apply that principle in the future through the use of modern information technology. This person was working in a hospital...

Defence Forces Medical Service. (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: A complete review of the recruitment and checking processes has been undertaken for all applicants. The review took account of this case as well as improvements that have been implemented elsewhere in the public service, including requirements on applicants to supply additional information on their histories and improvements in the security clearance process. Following discussions between...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 27 and 28 together. On the morning of Tuesday 18th March, 2008, a nine vehicle convoy containing 75 Defence Forces personnel departed Cathal Brugha Barracks for an exercise in the Cooley Mountains in County Louth. While on route, three of the military trucks were involved in a multi-vehicle road accident on the northbound carriageway of the M50 near the...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 158 together. Currently, a total of 486 Defence Forces personnel are serving overseas, full details of which are listed in the following statement. Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel, configured as a light infantry mounted battalion, for overseas service at any one time. This...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: As the Deputy is aware the Benchmarking Body is an independent body set up to carry out a detailed evaluation of the pay and jobs of certain grades in the public service in accordance with its terms of reference. The Body reported in January 2008. As part of its work the Body invited submissions from directly interested parties and from the general public. The Associations representing Other...

Written Answers — Random Drug Testing: Random Drug Testing (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Defence Forces policy in relation to Drug Testing has not changed. This policy is based on the premise that unlawful possession, supply, or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. Drug and Substance abuse, because of its insidious and addictive nature, and because of the possible residual effects on the abuser, is particularly dangerous in the...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 33 together. KFOR was established on 10 June 1999 in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244, for an initial period of twelve months, to continue thereafter unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise. KFOR's mandate is to establish a secure environment in Kosovo conducive to the implementation of refugee return and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Accommodation: Defence Forces Accommodation (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: In referring to "standards" as they apply to living in accommodation there are two separate aspects which must be addressed i.e. Building Standards and Accommodation Standards. In relation to Building Standards, all accommodation provided to Officers of the Defence Forces adhere to National Building Standards and the appropriate Health and Safety Standards. In relation to "Accommodation...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Lisbon Treaty will have little or no impact on the Defence Forces as an organisation. The Treaty does make some amendments to existing provisions on security and defence. However, it does not alter their essential features. Firstly, national security will continue to remain the sole responsibility of each member state. Secondly, the Treaty will not have any impact on Ireland's...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Legal Costs: Defence Forces Legal Costs (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Costs paid in any particular year do not necessarily relate to the cases for which compensation has been paid in that year. This is because there is a time lag in submitting and agreeing costs in any particular case. Compensation claims are dealt with on behalf of the Department either by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor or by the State Claims Agency as appropriate. I am fully...