Results 1,661-1,680 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: Question 48: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on a role for the Defence Forces in establishing standards or benchmarks for fitness levels for people of various ages including primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34560/07]

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: Since the Defence Forces set their own levels of fitness in the 1980s and refined them in the 1990s, the fitness levels of our Defence Forces members have increased considerably. One can see that in those escorting cash transits, for example, and when members of the Defence Forces are in public. Perhaps I am being misunderstood to some extent but I suggest the Defence Forces could set the...

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: I did not issue any statement.

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: I was coming to that. That is the next question.

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: I did not issue any statement. Somebody was reading my mind.

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: No. There was no statement issued about anything.

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: There are 300 personnel——

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: There are 300 qualified——

Defence Forces Training. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: The other element of defence force training is posture development. I have an interest in this from my days of teaching physical education. The Defence Forces have the best expertise to encourage posture correction and development. We have a major problem with posture in schools because young pupils are crouching over their desks or slouching in chairs. The principles used by the Defence...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: Last week the Minister said the complement of the medical corps stood at 21, so it has gone up one this week.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: Of the 22 doctors, what is the breakdown between native Irish and non-national doctors? The Minister accepts incentives must be given. The greatest incentive would be to provide child care facilities to young doctors. Up to 3,000 military personnel are based in the Curragh and, with decentralisation, another 500 will be located there. However, it has no crèche facility. That is not an...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is a required facility. It has been ongoing problem.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Minister is avoiding it.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Minister is getting narky. This is Deputy Willie O'Dea at his best.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: I wish to ask a final supplementary question. I am disappointed that the Minister trivialised the crèche issue.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: This is an ongoing problem. A committee is sitting to discuss the provision of a crèche at the Curragh and elsewhere. Can the Minister give us any assurance that the committee will be asked to report as soon as possible? If so, will he provide a crèche? There is one in the Oireachtas. I do not know how much it is used but it is available for us in the Houses. Surely there should be...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is still under 1% of GDP which it was in our time.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is getting smaller.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister not increase the figure in case he needs more?

Departmental Expenditure. (12 Dec 2007)

Jimmy Deenihan: For what percentage of GDP does the Defence Vote account? I understand it is approximately 0.7%. Not so long ago it was 1%, albeit of a smaller GDP but it was even smaller before we took over.