Results 1,941-1,960 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he will publish a progress report on the implementation of the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25461/08]

Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recently published second report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. [25784/08]

Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: At the launch of her report, the ombudsman was quite scathing with regard to staffing, the level of which is simply not adequate to allow her to carry out her functions properly. The ombudsman was in situ for nine months before a second member of staff arrived. It appears there is no interest in supporting the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, which was established by the...

Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister give a firm commitment to the effect that the issue of staffing resources will be addressed? I understand that the ombudsman made a submission in respect of this matter in June 2007 but that no action was taken. Will the Minister ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will be housed in proper accommodation as soon as possible?

Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Chad and the situation of the Irish troops there. [25785/08]

Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: I thank the Minister for responding to my calls for helicopter support for the force in Goz Beida. I understand two helicopters are now in place. The mission has been successful to date and we should recognise the work of the Minister, his Department and Lt. General Pat Nash in regard to arranging the logistics. Transporting the equipment to Chad was a major task and it is important to...

Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Government has been specific in regard to the non-continuance of the mission beyond the agreed date. Will the Minister agree that given the logistics are now in place and that the troops have settled in and have found their feet it would be practical to consider some extension to the duration of time the force will spend in Chad?

Waste Disposal. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Minister for Defence would not want his job.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Defence the age profile of the Defence Forces; the way the age profile compares to those of other EU armies; if he will increase the retirement ages of officers and other ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/08]

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister confirm to the House that there are currently more servicemen on pensions than in active service? I saw a statistic to this effect in one of the national newspapers recently. I know the Defence Forces are different, but in all other Departments in the Civil Service the ratio is three active personnel to every one retired person. That is the general ratio across the Civil...

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: This is an issue the Minister should consider when preparing the next White Paper. I understand it is currently the subject of talks. I remind the Minister that the mandatory retirement age in Canada is 60 and in Austria it is 65.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: The figure reported in the national media was that there are currently 10,378 ex-servicemen and 10,353 active servicemen, which means there are 25 more on pension than in active service. I am not referring to people who want to retire, but if a captain at 54 years wishes to stay on, can that opportunity be granted to him or her? If a captain must retire at 55, while privates retire at 60——

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: It does not make sense that those commanded by a captain can stay for another five years while he or she must retire.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister give it favourable consideration?

Defence Forces Civilianisation. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: There seems to be no great urgency about civilianisation but perhaps the Minister is proceeding with caution. I have referred previously to the medical corps in this regard and I am sure the Minister agrees that there should be a role for the employment of medical doctors, given that there is such difficulty in attracting personnel to the Army medical corps. The position does not seem to be...

National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Those carrying out the research around the country later this year should ask members of the public whether they still have the booklet. I would say few do. How often has the interdepartmental body which monitors emergency responses and which is under the chairmanship of the Minister met in the past year? How many permanent staff are in the office on Kildare Street? Is there a direct...

National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Yes.

National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: That is the plan.

National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: Not everybody has access to it, unfortunately.

National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)

Jimmy Deenihan: What about the Government group — the emergency group within the Cabinet?