Results 19,021-19,040 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Other Questions: Defence Forces Training (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: Training and education of personnel at all levels are vital activities in any defence force as they enable personnel to achieve their required standard of operational effectiveness. The Defence Forces conduct training and education under three broad categories, namely, skills training, career training and education and collective training. Skills training is the medium through which the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Training (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the military authorities that they are satisfied that existing Army training techniques and equipment are up-to-date in all respects. Personnel are trained and provided with all the necessary skills to the standards required to ensure that they can carry out all day-to-day roles assigned to them. This is clearly evidenced by the roles engaged in by the Defence Forces not...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Training (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: If I could say to the Deputy, both the Air Corps and the navy keep abreast of all developments in the context of training and how to deal with a broad range of issues. Training, for example, in the Air Corps is conducted in accordance with industry best practice and to the highest standard, referencing the European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, and Federal Aviation Administration, FAA's...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces have undertaken and continue to undertake a wide variety of peacekeeping missions. As part of these missions, at which the Defence Forces excel, conflict resolution, as the Deputy is aware, is one aspect. Conflict resolution is also one element of the reform of the security sector in the countries within which the missions are taking place. For example, the training of...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I do not disagree with the Deputy; there is no question of limiting roles. We have not withdrawn forces from Mali. In fact, Deputy-----

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I think the Deputy said "Mali". He might have meant "Somalia". There was a reason for that, which I can come to. In the context of Mali, there is a possibility of some additional members of the Defence Forces becoming engaged. There is no question of limiting our role. I merely said that, so far, we were playing a limited role in that context because there has been substantial emphasis...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: Of course, helping individuals in states where there are difficulties or states to avoid conflict does not always require the engagement of military personnel. Often, military personnel are engaged after the conflict has commenced. There is a great deal of work that is done by civilians, by international organisations, by Ministers in governments across the world and by members of...

Other Questions: EU Battle Groups (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: Following Government approval, Ireland will participate in the Nordic battle group in 2015 and the German led battle group in 2016. The Nordic battle group will comprise Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway, Estonia and possibly Lithuania and Latvia. The German led battle group will comprise Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the...

Other Questions: EU Battle Groups (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy knows, we are part of the European Union, something to which his party is opposed. We engage in the Common Security and Defence Policy, with which his party disagrees. We will continue to participate as we do, which is to the benefit of our Defence Forces. We will continue to make a contribution. It is always interesting that the Deputy knows what the majority of the Irish...

Other Questions: EU Battle Groups (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am open to correction but I think the Deputy's party has advocated a "No" vote in every referendum held relating to the European Union. His party conveniently put forward candidates for the European Parliament while opposing the very existence of the European Union repetitively whenever given the opportunity to do so. Sinn Féin is quite happy to look in two different directions...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 15 and 17 together. The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, was an issue of serious concern during the 1990s. It was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group, EAG. One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have not changed tack at all. I may be wrong, but this issue has been raised with me previously by the Deputy and other Deputies. There is a process and a procedure in place to deal with issues of this nature. PDFORRA is a party to the agreement I referenced. As I said, issues have been raised by it, issues it is entitled to raise. I do not want to say anything that would prejudice the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: The review will take account of all matters, including the operational capability of the Defence Forces. I do not wish to say any more than this in the context of the conciliation process under way.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I do not wish to put a definitive timeframe on them or say they will be concluded by the end of the month because there is always the possibility the process could take somewhat longer to complete. They will, however, be concluded in the coming weeks. Much depends on both parties involved, but I do not want anyone to have to adhere to a definitive timeframe. There is space for this issue...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: The process is meaningful. It is important not to say people will be rendered unemployable because many members of the Defence Forces leave on retirement with particular niche skills that make them readily employable. Even in a difficult jobs market, they are able to obtain employment, although I accept that does not apply to everybody and no one should pretend that it does. The process is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy never ceases to be a source of wonderment. I did not realise he was a fan of the French Foreign Legion. As I said to Deputy Robert Troy, this is a meaningful process. We will wait to see what comes out of it.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Significant progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, with an increase of 23% of female participation in the PDF...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am not aware of the media Reports to which the Deputy refers. However, I can state that there are no plans to develop voluntary housing schemes for overholders in the Curragh. The position regarding overholders has been outlined on numerous occasions. The Department of Defence does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for those who are not members of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 24 together. As of 04 May 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 410 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks Closures (7 May 2014)

Alan Shatter: During the term of this Government four barracks have been closed – Kickham Barracks Clonmel, O’ Neill Barracks Cavan, Columb Barracks Mullingar and Mitchell Barracks Castlebar. The closures were effective from March 2012. Agreement in principle has been reached for the sale of Kickham Barracks to South Tipperary County Council. To date a total of €101,703.60 has been...