Results 1,821-1,840 of 12,630 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As the house is aware, Ireland is currently in discussion with Sweden, regarding our participation in the Nordic Battle group. Our participation in the Battle group concept in no way weakens or undermines Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Ireland's participation in EU-led peace support operations, including operations which may be undertaken by Rapid Response...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) issued comprehensive Administrative Instructions to provide for the filling of appointments in the Reserve Defence Force, to enable the reorganisation of 1st October 2005. Officers volunteered for specific appointments in the establishment and where possible were assigned to their unit and location of preference. The military authorities have informed me...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Let the Minister speak.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Hayes's colleagues were allowed to speak.

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Chief of Staff has appointed a Senior Officer to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush in the Congo in November 1960. The examining officer has now interviewed both survivors and has also contacted other interested parties both at home and abroad. Due to the diversity of this investigation it is unlikely that it will be completed for some time.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement: Defence Forces Retirement (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The position remains as outlined in my recent reply to questions numbers 9 and 78 on the Order Paper of 22 June, 2006 in relation to this case.

Written Answers — Hearing Impairment Claims: Hearing Impairment Claims (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The relationship between solicitors and their clients is private. My Department would not, therefore, be in possession of the information sought by the Deputy. My Department has, however, received a total of 152 enquiries from past claimants regarding the amount of award or settlement as well as the legal costs paid in their cases. More specifically, in 4 of these cases the past claimant has...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: While my Department has received no formal request in this regard, the organisation concerned have been in contact with my office. My office will be in further contact with the organisation over the next week and the request will then be considered.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A total amount of €44,283 has been paid in terms of fees for the appointment of two public relations consultants since 2002. Further details in relation to these firms are set out in the following table. Year Company Projects Costs € 2002 Gallagher & Kelly PR Advice to Emergency Planning Branch 32,048 2002 Sweeney Communications Press and PR Advice to Minister 12,235

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is currently being prepared by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly. My Department employs a number of non-established civil servants who are not political appointees and who are mostly in service grades, or temporary contract staff engaged from time to time. I would also like to refer the Deputy to the answer I provided to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are two permanent civil servants employed in the office of the Minister of State for Defence comprising of one Higher Executive Officer and a Clerical Officer. At current rates and since July 2005, the salaries of these staff amounted to €99,300 per annum. Costs in relation to overtime and expenses (travel and subsistence) have amounted to €1,484.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are four permanent civil servants employed in my Private Office comprising one Higher Executive Officer, one Executive Officer, one Staff Officer and one Clerical Officer. The salaries of these staff from July 2005 to July 2006 amounted to €195,437 per annum. Costs in relation to overtime and expenses (travel and subsistence) have amounted to €4,308. There are six permanent civil...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The value of advertising in newspapers, magazines and electronic media placed by my Department, including the Defence Forces, in respect of each year since 2002 is set out in the following table: Year Value of Advertising € 2005 455,780 2004 296,827 2003 183,655 2002 240,373

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement: Defence Forces Retirement (5 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The person concerned retired on age grounds earlier this year. He has been paid the bulk of his retirement lump sum. Payment of his pension entitlement and the balance of his retirement lump sum will be made in the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In general my Department does not provide funding of the kind envisaged in the Question. However, a grant-in-aid is paid each year from the Defence Vote to the Irish Red Cross Society. The amounts paid in 2004 and 2005 were €866,000 and €880,000 respectively. The amount provided in this year's Estimate is €910,000. The Department also bears the cost of military personnel seconded to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The budgetary allocation for each of the bodies operating under my Department are outlined in the following table: Name of Body 2006 Budgetary Allocation € Civil Defence Board 5,928,000 Irish Red Cross Society 910,000 Coiste an Asgard 749,000 Army Pensions Board 102,000 The Defence Forces Ombudsman 350,000 Defence Forces Canteen Board 445,000

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are currently no positions in State bodies under the aegis of my Department which are affected by the increase in non-executive chairpersons' fees of State bodies recently sanctioned by the Government.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The taskforces that have been created within my Department since 1997 are as follows: Taskforce 1. Interdepartmental Task Force on the Future Management and Development of the Curragh of Kildare. Function: The primary function of the Task Force was to report and make recommendations on the future management and development of the Curragh. Size: 12 Members Membership: The Task...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The amount spent by my Department and by the Defence Forces for media purposes and advertising in 2005 and in 2006 (to date) is set out in the following table. Year National Newspapers Provincial Newspapers Other publications (periodicals, journals) TV/Radio Total Yearly Expenditure € € € € € 2006 89,005...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (27 Sep 2006)

Willie O'Dea: On 2 July, 2006 I announced in Government Buildings that I have reduced the minimum height requirement for entry into both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force from 162.56cm (5'4") to 157.48cm (5'2") with effect from 1st September 2006. This change, which applies to both males and females, will have the effect of increasing the annual recruitment pool of females from 60%...