Results 1,401-1,420 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In that case Deputy Timmins can do it himself. He wishes that I do the work for him. The White Paper was designed to run from 2000 to 2009. I will consider producing another when the present paper has run its course. Many initiatives are contained in this paper, such as the reserve, and these will not be completed until 2009. When the present White Paper has been implemented, another...

Naval Service. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I work through one plan before moving on to the next one.

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The steering board of the European Defence Agency, EDA, met in Defence Ministers formation in Innsbruck, Austria, on 7 March 2006 and one of the items discussed was the need for a new mechanism for joint investment in research and technology projects. The EDA is proposing to establish a category A or opt-out programme with an associated budget. The first area of joint work being considered is...

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In his question Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to this matter being decided in Innsbruck on 6 and 7 March. This is incorrect. No decision was taken. It was discussed in a general way and the view around the table was that it will have to be teased out more before any decision, even a decision in principle, is taken. If a decision is taken at the May meeting or a subsequent meeting to go ahead...

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I presume Deputy Ó Snodaigh suggests that if it is decided in Innsbruck to develop the concept, before we opt in I should bring it back to the Oireachtas.

European Defence Agency. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Okay.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 73, 95, 98, 116 and 122 together. Last July, while visiting Mellows Barracks in Galway, I spoke of my desire to see more women applying to join the Defence Forces. I indicated then that while much was already being done to encourage more women to apply, I intended to review the measures in place with a view to maximising the number of women applicants to...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Although the figure of 5% is low, it is in line with international experience. The figures have increased in some of the European states but not by much more than the Irish average. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number of women applying to enlist in the Defence Forces. The percentage of women in the Defence Forces is almost directly proportional to the number...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As I stated, I hope to have the report from the military authorities before 1 June. I will shortly commission research. We are starting the process of meeting the various groups that have written to us and this process will be fully completed by the end of the summer at the latest.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: On the first question, I have been written to on a confidential basis and will therefore not elaborate on the suggestions that have been made. They will emerge very shortly when RACO and PDFORRA talk to the organisations in question. I have not come across an army with no height requirement but I am aware that others have much lower height requirements than ours. I perused the list some...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We already do that to a certain extent. It is safe to say, on looking at the suggestions of the various organisations, that we will be engaged in a more focused campaign aimed specifically at females.

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper sets out a comprehensive programme for the development of defence and the Defence Forces for the period 2000 to 2010. This programme is expressed in terms of policy decisions taken and goals, objectives and plans to be achieved. These include a rebalancing of defence resource allocations achieved through payroll savings and the sales of properties, and the reinvestment of...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There is one major capital project under way at present, that is, the refurbishment of block 7, Connolly Barracks. This project will provide modern accommodation for 99 Defence Forces personnel. On the question of major capital projects planned for this year, it is proposed to upgrade the infantry weapons wing and the NCO school. The upgrade will provide modern office training and ancillary...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We have already allocated the money to upgrade those facilities. I do not know how much of the capital spending comes from funding obtained from the sale of Defence Forces resources: I will let the Deputy know. I imagine the percentage of that spend arising from the sale of property is quite low. We have almost run out of money obtained from property sales and the money being provided now is...

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: If considerable space is available, I am sure we will put it to the best possible use.

Defence Forces Property. (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I have received very strong representations from Deputy Sherlock on the FCA headquarters in Mallow. I will make immediate inquiries as to what is happening there and communicate with the Deputy in the next day or so.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 59, 74, 88, 115 and 119 together. During the period 28 February 2006 to 2 March 2006 I took the opportunity to pay a short visit to Liberia where I met the Irish personnel of 94th infantry battalion, United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Defence Forces personnel serving with UNMIL...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Investigations: Defence Forces Investigations (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 62, 70 and 96 together. On 28 October 2005, I appointed Mr. Sean Hurley to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence-Defence Forces and parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th infantry battalion in Lebanon. I received Mr....

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 65 and 113 together. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. An implementation plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper vision. This will be rolled out over the period to end 2009. The new reserve will have a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, is the principal base of the Air Corps. With the withdrawal of aircraft from Gormanston and the relocation of Air Corps headquarters to Baldonnel, the Air Corps has the basis for better management of its resources. Baldonnel will continue to be the centre of military aviation in Ireland. Periodic interest by the private sector has been expressed during the past...