Results 1,381-1,400 of 5,034 for speaker:Billy Timmins

Order of Business (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: The Tánaiste is always quick to comment on such matters. Did he advise the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, to pull out?

Order of Business (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Did the Tánaiste advise him?

Order of Business (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: This is the first time I have ever silenced——

Order of Business (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: That is what he said.

Military Intelligence. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of funding provided for military intelligence surveillance for the years 2001 to 2005 and to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38348/06]

Military Intelligence. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I thank the Acting Chairman and apologise for my late entry to the Chamber. I thank the Minister for his reply and appreciate the fact that his response is shrouded in a certain amount of mystery. Notwithstanding that, very little additional money has ever been put in place for military intelligence. This should be done, particularly in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks. While...

Military Intelligence. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I thank the Minister for his response. I have a final supplementary question. The Minister is the chairperson of the task force on national emergency planning. While one might disagree on its implementation, does he agree it would be beneficial to include an intelligence section within its remit, comprising the Garda, the Army, Customs and Excise, the Revenue Commissioners and possibly a...

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the commitment given in the White Paper on Defence to have a Defence Forces strength of 10,500 plus 250 in training; if this commitment has been honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38350/06]

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I note from the Estimates for the Department of Defence that the total Defence budget is similar to the increase in health expenditure. It is a small budget. The commitments placed on the Defence Forces have increased since the publication of the White Paper. A solemn commitment was given by the former Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, of a strength of 10,500 plus 250 personnel in training....

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: The Minister mentioned that when the White Paper was published the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 11,500 but that due to the cutbacks in the public service, the strength of the Defence Forces was reduced to 10,500 and the provision for the 250 personnel in training was no longer maintained. Were there any cutbacks in the number of civilians in the Department of Defence in that...

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Were the civilian figures reduced accordingly during that period?

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: On a point of order, while this is not my priority question, it is important, if it is agreeable to the House, to allow the Minister to read the full reply into the record.

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: The Deputy is going off script.

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I wish to be associated with Deputy Costello's remarks on the report the Minister commissioned on the Niemba ambush. I compliment the Minister and Colonel Behan on that, in addition to Dr. O'Donoghue. I am sure when the Minister is in Lebanon he will pass on the regards of Senator Brian Hayes, the spokesperson on defence for the Fine Gael Party in the Seanad, to any troops he meets.

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Do not tempt me.

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Has the Minister received any requests for additional troops to be sent to Lebanon? Is there a chance we could increase our commitment there when we are finished in Liberia? Can the Minister tell the House how he views the submission by the Permanent Defence Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, for an increase in the overseas allowance? Good faith is fine but it would be nice...

State Property. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Is the Minister concerned that the construction of affordable housing in that area could affect the use by the Air Corps of the region as a range?

State Property. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I would not like to see the Department of Defence become a soft touch for giving away land because when local authorities dispose of lands to State Departments, they get top dollar. The Government has committed that money received from the disposal of Defence Forces land will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. We must ensure we receive market value as this was not achieved with land given...

State Property. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I am aware of that but any money in this case is to be reinvested in the Defence Forces.

State Property. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I do not see that here.