Results 1,761-1,780 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the Senator. There were no Irish troops there in either case. They were not part of the UN mission. They were part of a subsequent EU operation. The core of this amendment lies in the definition of international peace mission and the provisions under which a contingent could be despatched on such a mission. The rest of the amendments are consequential to the acceptance of the...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Senator Minihan asked about troops being deployed. I envisage a very remote possibility of a humanitarian mission established under section 3(1)(f) subsequently becoming the subject of a United Nations resolution. A humanitarian mission follows an event such as a tsunami or an earthquake and we have given ourselves the right to deploy troops rapidly to help the unfortunate people affected. A...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I suppose it would be possible. In such circumstances, I imagine the troops who had been deployed in accordance with section 3(1)(f) would still be validly there. Obviously, if it became too dangerous we would need to take that into account and might need to withdraw them. The question of their safety would be a matter of agreement between the Government and the host state. If we were...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In practically all those cases the decision to break those promises did not have a subsequent electoral mandate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not believe the Senator's fear is well founded. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that the Seanad should have an input. In my term as Minister, if a further deployment of troops abroad takes place, I will organise that it be formally reported to the Seanad, which can then make its own arrangements for a debate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The effect of this amendment would be to delete the requirement for the Minister to have the annual report on participation by the Defence Forces in UN missions endorsed by Dáil Éireann.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: This provision was introduced in the 1993 Act by the coalition Government of the time. It is good that the Dáil reviews in some detail and on an annual basis the missions undertaken by the Defence Forces, which for the most part have been approved by the Dáil in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Act. Section 13 states, "Dáil Éireann may by resolution". That is a permissive...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It enables the Dáil to debate reports.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Senator Ryan's suggestion that we change the terms to ensure a debate takes place is a good one. Perhaps he could ask his colleagues to table an amendment for the Dáil debate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not agree with Senator Ryan that the position of the Labour Party is vindicated by the measures I am introducing. We have deployed our troops abroad since 1958 when no legislation governed this issue. Several Governments have done so since, some of which included members of the Labour Party. If it was necessary to do so then, the Labour Party could have changed the law. This Government...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am responding to provocation. Debates in the Seanad tend to be more mature and reflective than in what Senator Brian Hayes refers to as the bearpit, namely, the Dáil. This might encourage Senator Hayes to remain in the Seanad.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators for their contributions and will consider the suggestions made.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to bring this Bill before the House. This is a short Bill, which is designed to amend and update the Defence Acts regarding the despatch of members of the Permanent Defence Force on overseas duties. However, it is also an important Bill. The despatch of members of the Defence Forces overseas is a concrete expression of Ireland's...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I did not say that.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I said it will be usually within the framework country.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy should stop misleading people and trying to create groundless fears.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I said "usually embark". The Deputy always leaves out the appropriate word.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Did the triple lock advocate the murder of Jerry McCabe? Was there a UN resolution for that?

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Members for the interest they have taken in this timely legislation. I appreciate their kind remarks concerning the work members of our Defence Forces undertake on overseas operations. Wherever they are our troops serve with professionalism, dedication, courage and unselfish humanity. Their commitment, service and loyalty to the traditions of the Defence Forces contribute extensively...