Results 16,461-16,480 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Israel has been the object of more UN resolutions than any other country in the world despite the difficulties in a broad range of other countries. I do not think it is a matter for today's debate. In the context of the tendering process, Israeli companies are entitled to submit tenders under EU rules and regulations, as are other countries and states. It is important we buy the equipment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The EU operates with the assistance of states. I am not aware of any EU agency which is seeking, as an EU agency on its own, to acquire military equipment of any nature or seeking as an EU agency to acquire, purchase and use large numbers of drones. I am puzzled by the Deputy's question. I am not clear to what the Deputy is referring.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training resources and equipment, enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me. It is a matter that is kept under constant review at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces through their joint...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Despite the economic difficulties, our Defence Forces are better equipped than they have been at any time in the history of the State. In the context of the tasks we have to perform abroad in UN missions, they have the equipment required for the tasks they are undertaking. Most recently, with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, mission, I made demands of the UN with...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: We keep Defence Forces equipment under review. Circumstances, needs and demands change. In that context, it is of significant importance that we keep under continuing review the adequacy and appropriateness of equipment, as well as its usage to ensure we have the capability to fulfil tasks.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: There is regular training in these areas. Theoretical situations are created to look at response times. I am satisfied the Defence Forces are dealing with these issues in an appropriate manner. No one can ever predict with certainty that some unexpected and unplanned event will not take place. We should be proud of the professionalism of the Defence Forces, the extent of their training...

Other Questions: Air Corps Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the incident to which the Deputy referred, I express my condolences and the condolences of all Members of the House to the relatives of those whose lives were lost during that tragic accident. The Air Corps operate a fleet of eight helicopters, two light utility EC 135 helicopters used in the main for pilot training and six utility AW 139 helicopters used for general...

Other Questions: Air Corps Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: If there are lessons to be learned from the tragedy in Scotland, we will seek to learn them. I have no doubt the Scottish authorities will be publishing a report on the outcome of the crash investigation which we will be able to access. My officials can communicate with the Scottish authorities on any issues that arise and might be relevant to us. There are no plans to acquire any...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The day-to-day administration of recruitment to the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. I am advised by the military authorities that a declaration of asthma during childhood does not automatically rule out a person from acceptance to the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. An individual assessment of each case is made by the examining medical officer, taking into account...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Merely stating on the form that one had childhood asthma should not exclude an individual from joining the Defence Forces. The provisions do not say that. There must be an individual medical assessment of how the applicant is at the time of the application, not what occurred simply during childhood. There may be more to the background of this matter than the Deputy or I are aware. Where...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Wednesday is a better day.

Other Questions: Garda Resources (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I share the Deputy's perspective of the professionalism of the members of the Air Corps who do a fantastic job and the garda who are engaged in the Garda helicopter service. In April 1996 the then Government approved the establishment of a dedicated Garda air support unit, GASU, as recommended in the report of an interdepartmental group on air support for the Garda Síochána. The...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The circumstances in which the Garda helicopter should be deployed to assist gardaí in the myriad duties in which they are engaged is a matter for Garda management. As the Deputy will see from the figures, the flight hours seem to go up and down. In 2009, there were 2,153.23 hours. In 2010, there were 1,617 hours, so it was substantially reduced in 2010 compared with 2009. It goes up...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 18 together. My Department is engaged on an ongoing building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under the building programme, there has been considerable capital investment at the Curragh Camp in recent years. For example, between 2008 and...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy seems to have lost sight of the fact the Curragh Camp is a military one. She seems to want to create another version of a new city or a new town in the Curragh. As I said to Deputy Wallace yesterday in another context, I would be interested in him sharing with me what it is that is good that the Garda does. I would be interested in Deputy Daly sharing with us one day what it is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: First - I mean this seriously - I bow to the Deputy's expertise in the construction industry and in looking at the houses and at their possibilities but, put simply, I do not have the funding to restore housing accommodation and I have a responsibility, as Minister for Defence, to ensure we do everything necessary to facilitate the operational capacities of the Defence Forces and the best...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is important for me to reiterate that the Department of Defence is not a housing authority. I am quite happy to reflect on the issues raised by the Deputies. I was asked to engage with my Cabinet colleagues. I remind the House that they are facing similar capital expenditure constraints. A cost-benefit analysis of the Deputies' proposal would be very interesting, especially if it...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I suggest that the Deputies might consider a coherent and comprehensive approach to addressing these issues, rather than dealing with them on a fragmented basis and in a manner generated to create newspaper headlines.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 17 together. Fifty four (54) of the properties are located at the Curragh Camp. The properties located at the Curragh Camp include 25 occupied by serving personnel and their families and 29 occupied by overholders. Presently, it is understood from the military authorities that there are a further 47 vacant properties at the Camp which were formerly...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Ireland is not a party to the Hague Convention (V) respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land, and there are no plans for it to become one. Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This policy has been underpinned by a set of complementary values which include, inter alia, the protection...