Results 301-320 of 1,415 for speaker:Tom Kitt

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: The Department of Defence has not received a specific request in relation to a proposed film on the life of James Connolly. A proposal for a film on Connolly was received by the 1916 All-Party Oireachtas Group. Minister O'Dea met with some of the proposers of the project, in his capacity as Chairman of the 1916 All-Party Oireachtas Group when they made a presentation on the film to him in...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 158 together. Ireland is committed to participate in the Nordic Battlegroup which will be on standby from the 1st January-30th June 2008. On the 26th April 2007, I issued a letter of Accession to all participating members of the Battlegroup to join the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Nordic Battlegroup Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is an...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Resources: Defence Forces Resources (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 provided for a strength of 10,500 for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising some 8425 personnel in the Army, 930 in the Air Corps and 1,140 in the Naval Service, these figures being commensurate with the defined roles of the three branches. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces, which has been a key focus for me since my...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: As a result of the broad nature of the question I have focused on the process of handling applications for entry into the Permanent Defence Forces as I imagine this is the main area of concern to the Deputy. I would be happy to supply material on other specific application material if requested. Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: ONET (Óglaigh Náisúinta Na hÉireann Teoranta) is a limited company with charitable status that is dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Services. ONET is recognised by the Minister of Defence and the Military Authorities in Ireland as the official representative of such personnel. As an organization, ONET is wholly independent of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Promotions: Defence Forces Promotions (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: Discussions between the Department of Defence and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) commenced in April 2006, on revised promotion arrangements for Non-Commissioned Officers. The Action Plan agreed under the Pay Agreement and Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces, commits to a target date of December 2007, by which revised promotion...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: I would like to assure the House that any allegations of victimisation in the Defence Forces are treated with the utmost seriousness and there are extensive and robust complaints and grievance procedures processes in place to protect the rights of all Defence Forces personnel, including PDFORRA officials. In addition, on interpersonal relationships, the Defence Forces and the Department have...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: There are currently no outstanding posts identified for civilianisation in the Defence Forces. Civilianisation was addressed in the "Review of Implementation of the White Paper on Defence", published by the Minister in April 2007. The Review noted some areas where civilianisation of military posts had been successfully implemented in the past and recommended that further work be done in this...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. Government measures to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs, including the...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 159 together. The military exercise in Sweden, to which the Deputy refers, is the Final Exercise (FINEX) being carried out by the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG). The exercise, which commenced on 21st October, will continue until the 12th November. The total number of Irish Defence Force personnel participating in the exercise is 93 and includes the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: An investigation into the circumstances of the road accident, involving a military vehicle, near Granard, County Longford, in June this year, has been completed by the Military Police. The report is currently being examined by the military authorities. In addition, the military have established a Study Group to examine the possible introduction of the use of Roll Over Protection Systems in...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: Ireland is currently contributing 460 Defence Forces personnel to 17 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas on UN mandated operations, observer missions or undertaking representative or staff postings are listed in the tabular statement attached. Of the 460 personnel currently serving overseas, 142 are officers and 318 are other...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated in the light of any change in the threat assessment. Defence Forces personnel have for many years attended workshops, training...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: Members of the Irish Defence Forces serve on peacekeeping missions under Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Ireland is currently contributing 460 Defence Forces personnel to 17 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the NATO-led UN Mandated International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 272...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: A breakdown of the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force over the last 5 years will be circulated in the form of the following tabular statement. In 2006 there were 1,124 recruits and in 2007 to date, there have been 847. The RDF is going through a process of change with the implementation of the recommendations of the White Paper on Defence and the RDF Implementation Board Report. The...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 30 September 2007, as advised by the military authorities, was 10,361. This comprises 8,444 in the Army, 849 in the Air Corps and 1,068 in the...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: This is a matter for the Department of Transport.

Defence Forces Allowances. (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: I have no doubt whatsoever about the contribution made by our peacekeepers abroad. There is no harm in reiterating time and again the tremendous work they do throughout the world in very dangerous situations. I start on that basis and totally concur with the Deputy. In his address to the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association annual delegate conference in 2006 the...

Defence Forces Allowances. (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: It is obvious that any Minister or Minister of State like myself would be very supportive of the work our Army personnel do abroad. The Minister invited PDFORRA to make its claim and the process is now under way. We need to allow that process to develop. While we must acknowledge the work that has been done, we cannot interfere in this process.

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Nov 2007)

Tom Kitt: The strength of the Army ranger wing, ARW, as a percentage of its establishment is in the region of 90%. The strength is sufficient to meet anticipated operational requirements. The ARW actively pursues a policy of recruitment to maintain strength levels and the delivery of required military capabilities. The unit recruits from all services with a continual advertising campaign by means...