Results 1,461-1,480 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force, RDF, is a volunteer force and, as such, the relationship between members of the reserve and the Department of Defence is not comparable to a normal employer-employee relationship. The reserve is currently undergoing major reorganisation. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blueprint for a new Reserve Defence Force and an implementation plan has been developed...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together. I am very satisfied that military training techniques and equipment, operated by the Air Corps and the Naval Service are up to date in all respects. Air Corps and Naval Service training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them under the White Paper on Defence. Priority is given to...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. The Garda Siochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from terrorism are continuously monitored by the Garda in co-operation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters...

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

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I intend to continue the good work in that regard. The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 522 together. I assume the Deputy is referring to discussions on EU battle groups. Discussions with other like-minded nations on a potential contribution by Ireland to a battle group have now commenced. A delegation consisting of representatives from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces met their Swedish counterparts...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (29 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. There are some 70 monuments and places listed for the Curragh under the Record of Monuments and Places, as established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. The Curragh itself is classified as a recorded monument under the Act and my Department ensures that the terms of that Act are adhered to before any works...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There were no employees of this Department on suspension with pay as of 31 December 2004 and 31 December 2005.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Easter Rising of 1916 will be commemorated by a military parade in Dublin on Sunday, 16 April. Preparations for the parade, as announced by the Taoiseach last October, are being made by the Defence Forces. Approximately 2,500 personnel representing all branches of the forces, together with representatives of ex-service personnel and veterans of UN service, will be included. The parade...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that there has been a 3% target for employing people with disabilities in the Civil Service since 1994. The definition of a person with a disability for the purposes of the 3% target is the positive action definition set out in the Code Of Practice for the Civil Service, 1994. In that context, the term "people with disabilities" means people with a physical, sensory...

Written Answers — Military Intelligence: Military Intelligence (4 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces perform complementary roles regarding the protection of the security of the State, and there is ongoing and close liaison. However, it has never been the policy for the Minister for Defence to comment publicly on such matters. I do not intend to depart from that policy on this occasion.

Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The press council will be included in the defamation Bill.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (5 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: 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 the Defence Forces. At that time, I pointed out that the number of...

Written Answers — Travel Expenses: Travel Expenses (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The long-standing practice in the public service is that persons may not be recompensed for expenses entailed in travelling to and from their normal work location.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces, the Gleeson commission, MSA was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. As I have previously indicated to the House, this approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of...

Written Answers — Departmental Files: Departmental Files (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of making the Department's files relating to pension and medal applications of persons who took part in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence more widely available is being examined at present.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are 14 members of staff in my Department who are able to provide services through Irish. This represents 4% of the overall staff in my Department. My Department is engaged in devising a scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003 to enhance services to our customers in Irish.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: My Department holds two small plots of land on a laneway which was part of the former military barracks in the locality in question. In recent years there has been unauthorised encroachment upon those plots by another party. My Department's properties officer recently inspected the property and met the party concerned. Arising from that meeting, it is intended to resurvey the property in the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I did not travel abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Written Answers — Accident Investigations: Accident Investigations (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities maintained a significant degree of liaison with the person referred to and other family members in the aftermath of the tragic disappearance of the member of the Naval Service referred to. The person and the family were kept informed of events. The services of the military personnel support service were offered to the family who have been assured they will be informed...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Apr 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that the contract for the supply of bread to military barracks nationwide was held by Gallagher's Bakery, Ardara, County Donegal, for the year ended 30 November 2005. Following a tender competition the contract for the period 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006 was awarded to Irish Pride, 151 Thomas Street, Dublin 2. A tender was submitted by Gallagher's Bakery but it was...