Results 24,601-24,620 of 26,347 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Other Questions: European Council Meetings (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Does this mean we have double time?

Other Questions: European Council Meetings (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his response. He has said before that the participation of the Defence Forces in EU battle groups increases their interoperability with forces from other EU member states. Does this whole area of interoperability form part of the discussions the Minister has had with his EU counterparts and those one would expect to have in the course of the year ahead? Members of...

Other Questions: EU Battlegroups (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Will that be a priority issue for the Minister as he chairs the Council of Ministers for Defence in the next six month period? In that regard, are there any other gems of wisdom he might give us in terms of his priorities in his role during the next six months?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: In written responses in recent weeks the Minister indicated that the total number of promotions at NCO level since the announcement of the review in July was 129 and that the total pertaining to commissioned officer rank was 90. There could be disproportionality in this regard. Will the Minister comment on this? Does he share the concern I expressed previously that there is considerable...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I understand there are complex procedures in place within the Defence Forces for promotions. Is the Minister satisfied that procedures were applied consistently in all promotions? Will he explain why those going for promotion, in the Air Corps, for example, did not have their overseas service considered in some instances? If he cannot explain it now, I will be happy to receive...

Other Questions: EU Battlegroups (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on Ireland’s participation in the Austro-German Battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54759/12]

Other Questions: EU Battlegroups (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am conscious that participation in the Nordic battle group and, consequently, the Austro-German battle group was approved by the previous Government. I am interested in knowing about the deliberations the Minister has had with the Chief of Staff and his partners in the Government on future participation. Has he, in consultation with interested parties, had the opportunity to evaluate the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To be helpful, I will take just two minutes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether there are sufficient opportunities for promotion at all levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54930/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister is double-jobbing.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: To ask the Minister for Defence the key changes he is proposing regarding the Reserve Defence Forces; if legislation will be necessary to effect these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54929/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister for his reply. I acknowledge that there was a significant decline in participation in the RDF, particularly during the middle part of the previous decade. One is obliged to wonder why that decline occurred. I also wish to acknowledge the substantial contribution made to the State and local communities by the RDF in its many previous manifestations - the LSF, the LDF...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I accept the point the Minister makes to some extent. However, one must question the extent to which participation in the RDF has been promoted by the PDF. One must also ask whether those who were participating and who had signed up were encouraged to actively partake of the training courses on offer. Will the Minister provide an explanation as to the impact on serving members of his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Acting Chairman is very tough on Members.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I cannot agree with the Minister of State on this matter. The information collated is the address of the person and his or her telephone number, date of birth, qualifications and experience in respect of Civil Defence. Let us say that a member of the local authority was concerned about somebody in his or her community becoming an active member of Civil Defence. That member of the local...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I do not want to protract the matter but we might bring forward a proposal on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We will produce a proposal on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I wish to raise a concern similar to that raised by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. We hope to bring forward a proposal on Report Stage to provide for consultation with agencies such as the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the EPA and so on when the Minister is approving the plan prepared at local authority level.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage
Civil Defence Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I would be happy to explore the issue on Report Stage.