Results 23,741-23,760 of 26,256 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Is that still on target?

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I was not speaking about a children's hospital. The Tánaiste should answer the question he was asked.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (7 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 210. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47454/13]

Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Government has promised to introduce major items of administrative legislation in the area of the arts and heritage, namely, the national cultural institutions (museums and archives) Bill which will deal with the National Library, the National Museum and the National Archives and the national cultural institutions (galleries) Bill which will give effect to the policy changes the...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Taoiseach should answer the question.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Am I to take it from the Minister's comments that he accepts the share of GDP expended on the Defence Forces and Ireland's defence policy is insufficient? Is it his ambition that the White Paper will set a benchmark for expenditure as a percentage of national income?

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I was struck by the Minister's comment in the same speech that: "As defence is an area of public expenditure where the impact of cuts is not immediately evident to the general public, it is critically important that we clearly articulate the rationale underpinning expenditure and funding requirements." Does he accept that type of comment increases the pressure for defence cuts? He...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 11. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will expand on his recent statement that Ireland’s expenditure on defence, as a proportion of GDP, is one of the lowest in the European Union, while the country's Defence Forces are assigned wider roles than those of the defence forces of most member states and that any consideration of defence resourcing must have due regard to these facts;...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Speaking to the Institute of International and European Affairs in September, the Minister stated Ireland's expenditure on defence as a proportion of GDP was one of the lowest in the European Union, while the Defence Forces are assigned wider roles than the defence forces of most other member states. He also indicated any consideration of Defence Forces resourcing must have regard to these...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We welcome his appointment.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 7. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the current balance between the three services within the Defence Forces is appropriate for an island nation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46843/13]

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I raise this question in the context of the impending Green Paper. I want to ask the Minister for Defence for his views on the current balance between the three services within the Defence Forces, particularly whether that balance is appropriate in the context of this being an island nation.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Some 80% of the Permanent Defence Force in Ireland is in the Army, with 11.3% in the Naval Service and 8.5% in the Air Corps. This compares, for example, with another island nation, New Zealand, where 27% are in the air corps and 23% in the naval service. The Irish Maritime Forum made a number of interesting comments and constructive proposals in this regard. There is no doubt that, for an...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: In that matter of the White Paper, the steering group in 2000 consisted of a major-general, a colonel, an assistant secretary and a principal officer. The working group which was founded at the time consisted of two colonels and two principal officers. There was no permanent naval representative on either group. In hindsight, that is something I very much regret. Does the Minister intend...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the follow-up response from the Minister. It needs to be said that we cannot be distracted by the moves in Syria to deal with chemical weapons. There is still chaos there. Will the Minister assure us our troops have freedom of movement across the Golan Heights and in their area of responsibility?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the participation of the Defence Forces in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46965/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Last July, Fianna Fáil was happy to support the deployment of a contingent of Irish Defence Forces personnel to the Golan Heights in Syria, but that was done against the background of international concern and in a situation where the Austrian, Croatian and Japanese authorities had withdrawn their troops. What we seek today is an assurance of the continued safety of personnel serving in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Overseas Missions (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his response and join him in wishing success to the troops. Our mutual concern is to ensure the success of the mission and the well-being of all involved. Any involvement in a UN mission axiomatically involves a degree of risk, but it is important that we are fully conscious of the particular situation that continues to exist in Syria generally and the Golan Heights...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Family Clinics (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister's predecessors made decisions about the orderly wind-down of this service. A survey by local people of the GP services, many of which I know, indicate that they cannot accommodate the number of people involved, which is more than 1,000. The Minister's decision is wrong. A duty of care rests with the GP who provides the service in the Curragh and the Defence Forces. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Family Clinics (6 Nov 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister is unilaterally withdrawing it.