Results 23,281-23,300 of 26,256 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Since before I was born, the Defence Forces have been distinguishing themselves internationally in their peace support operations. This question seeks to promote the idea that the capacity exists, in consultation with the Department of Finance, for our Defence Forces to play an even greater role in terms of conflict resolution. What are the plans of the Minister and his Department in this...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Generally, I welcome the Minister's response, but he seems to be placing a focus on limiting the role that the Defence Forces might play in conflict resolution. It is an area in which we can expand our activities. What we did in Mali and Somalia was of particular significance. For this reason, many others and I were disappointed when the Minister decided to withdraw our participants in...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I did not say "Mali". I said "Somalia".

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister's latter comments. There is considerable scope for development, particularly in the relationship that has been developed between the UN school in the Curragh Camp training centre and the Kennedy centre for conflict resolution. Working with those two agencies, we have the opportunity to develop something on this island that can allow Ireland and its people to build on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister's reply. The works he identified were needed and I welcome the fact that they have been carried out. Between 2000 and 2005, the level of investment in the Curragh camp - €64 million - was quite enormous. Between 1997 and 2009, something of the order of €400 million was invested in equipment, resources and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his positive response. I am conscious that in the coming years it is going to be particularly difficult for him to obtain the investment for necessary developments within the Defence Forces as he engages in combat at the Cabinet table. Even in good times, funding had to be obtained by means of the sale of barracks. As we move forward, it is going to be even more...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding capital investment in defence facilities in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20330/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Funding (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: My question concerns the long-term proposals or vision the Minister has for the necessary continued investment in the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh Camp, and his vision for the necessary continued investment in Army installations across the country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I have the height of respect for the current and previous Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries General of the Department. Nonetheless, I put it to the Minister that it indicates a weakness in the process he applied that there was no consultation or formal study of the personnel, intelligence, operational, logistical and deployment implications for the Department and the brigades and that no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Does the Minister accept that retaining the three brigade structure would have allowed the Army to retain the structural architecture to expand in times of crisis and need, retain operational situational awareness in critical parts along the Border with Northern Ireland and, critically, retain operational command and control structures close to where operational outputs were being delivered?...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 1. To ask the Minister for Defence further to the decision to reduce the number of Army brigades from three to two within a Defence Forces strength of 9,500 personnel, if the then three operational commanders of the Army were part of a formally constituted prior consultation or study process to advise on the personnel, intelligence, operational, logistical and deployability implications of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle might advise us on this issue. When we start Question Time late because we do not have a quorum, additional time should be made available to us. This question focuses on the unilateral decision made by the Minister to move from a three to a two brigade structure in the Defence Forces. I ask the Minister to indicate whether there was formal consultation...

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

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 10. To ask the Minister for Defence the measures that will be undertaken to provide a more representative gender balance in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20042/14]

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

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 24. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will undertake any new overseas missions during the remainder of 2014; the number of missions that have concluded thus far in 2014; the details of same; the number that will conclude during the remainder of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/14]

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

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 27. To ask the Minister for Defence if the reduction in the number of field engineer companies in the Defence Forces from three to two could hamper the fulfilment of core responsibilities in the assigned role of aid to the civil authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 269. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a decision to refuse an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20322/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Criteria (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 295. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding tenants housed under the rental accommodation scheme; if it is the case that when a RAS lease is terminated it is the responsibility of the tenant to find alternative accommodation or if such responsibility rests with the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20006/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 330. To ask the Minister for Defence the date on which the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will publish an annual report for 2012 and for 2013; if there are any statutory obligations with regard to the publication of such reports and the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19992/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 331. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of notifications of complaint initiated by serving members of the Defence Forces that were received by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2012; the number received during the tenure of the current ombudsman; the number received during the tenure of his predecessor during that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19993/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (6 May 2014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 332. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of notifications of complaint initiated by serving members of the Defence Forces that were received by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/14]