Results 13,301-13,320 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Other Questions: Defence Forces UN Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is something at which one can laugh with great regularity.

Other Questions: Defence Forces UN Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: Yes, that is what I said.

Other Questions: Defence Forces UN Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: This country will not become involved in anyone's adventures anywhere. We do not get involved in adventures. We have a tradition of which we should be proud in the House and which we should never misrepresent of having enormously competent Defence Forces which bring special skills to peacekeeping and which are widely recognised globally. We punch substantially above our weight to deploy...

Other Questions: Defence Forces UN Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The first question to ask is what it is that Deputy Mac Lochlainn wants us to be neutral over. Should we be neutral when fundamentalist groups are killing people, chopping off their limbs and raping women? Is that something about which we are neutral? I am not neutral about that. I think we need to be of assistance to stop such atrocities happening. Let us not get lost in ideology in...

Other Questions: Defence Forces UN Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy raised some very important human rights issues. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights produced a report that makes a number of recommendations to the various actors involved in resolving the crisis in Mali with the aim of protecting the civilian population and promoting national reconciliation. The recommendations include ensuring that all perpetrators of human...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: Irish personnel being deployed to EUTM Mali are administered the anti-malarial medication mefloquine, also known as Lariam. Defence Forces personnel are also issued with individual first aid kits as well as insect repellent and sunblock. Irish personnel will also have access to the mission medical facilities and may be prescribed additional medications as appropriate.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: Malaria is a serious disease which can cause serious complications and death. The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that approximately 1 million people in sub-Saharan Africa alone die every year from it. It has long been recognised as a serious threat to any military force operating in a malarious area. In accordance with best international practice in prescribing Lariam and taking...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am almost finished. The Defence Forces do not mass prescribe but rather follow all of the instructions issued by the Irish Medicines Board in order to fully screen personnel who may potentially have an adverse reaction to the medication.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I like to be as comprehensive and informative as possible.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: As I explained to the Deputy, the Defence Forces continue to use it because, unlike the US military, they do not engage in mass prescribing without individualised assessment of Defence Forces personnel travelling abroad. Individualised assessment is important. It is also important that individuals being assessed engage truthfully with the medical assessor and that they, if in receipt of...

Message from the Seanad (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: One would not have bet on that happening.

Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: First, I thank colleagues in the House for their supportive remarks. In marking the passage of the Bill through the Dáil today, we are making a small piece of history. It is very desirable that Members on various sides of the House who have contributed to this debate are supportive. It is a tribute to how far we have come as a society that a Bill on such a sensitive issue could...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Common Foreign and Security Policy (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 84 together. The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy forms an integral part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the area of Common Security and Defence Policy, the role of the Presidency is now limited to supporting the High Representative and the European External Action Service in this regard. However, that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Proposed Legislation (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 102 together. To this end, my Department has commenced work on the review and has had discussions with the Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross on the proposed legislative proposals, which in the main relate to codification of the various legal instruments in effect since 1939. I am advised that the Red Cross have indicated to my officials that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Travel (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 93, 106 and 107 together. My visit to Lebanon afforded me an opportunity to see, at first hand, the dedication and professionalism of military personnel and the tremendous work done overseas by the Irish Defence Forces personnel serving as part of a joint Irish/Finnish battalion with the United Nations Interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in south...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 316 and 318 together. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. Of the 439 personnel serving overseas, 427 are Army, 2 are Naval Service and 10 are Air Corps personnel. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are UN Interim Force in Lebanon...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Sporting Activities (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together. As such, participation by members of the Defence Forces in sporting activities at local, regional and higher level competition is encouraged and where possible is facilitated having regard to, for example, the taking of annual leave. The level of participation in extracurricular sporting activities is governed by the exigencies of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 95 together. The 107th Infantry Battalion, comprising some 332 personnel, will complete its deployment with UNIFIL later this month when it will be replaced by personnel of the 108th Infantry Battalion. The Irish Battalion has been working alongside a contingent of 170 personnel of the Finnish Armed Forces as part of a joint Irish/Finnish Battalion...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Presidency Agenda (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 96 together. The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy forms an integral part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the area of Common Security and Defence Policy, the role of the Presidency is now limited to supporting the High Representative and the European External Action Service in this regard. However, that said,...