Results 3,201-3,220 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: We are now straying widely from the two issues we are dealing with, but I have no difficulty with that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I know Commissioner Reding's views on these issues. She delivered an interesting and thoughtful speech in this area. There is an issue within the EU which is of some importance, that is, when new member states seek to join there are, rightly, various conditions to ensure that the rule of law is respected in those member states, that the courts are fully independent and that there is no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: There is no such other court at the moment. The modalities of implementing this are part of the discussion that is taking place. That is one example of such a court.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: At the moment, somebody may have to register a patent in each of the different EU member states. Under these proposals, there will be a unitary system and a person will effectively be able to register the patent in what will be the EU Patent Office. First, it will be done more quickly. Second, there is no duplication of paperwork. Third, it is much cheaper. The patents package will have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: We are going to go through the usual process at EU level, which involves discussions, working groups and negotiations on the issue. Inevitably, it will come back to the Council of Ministers for agreement. The measure also has to be agreed at European Parliament level. There is probably some time in it although I cannot predict with certainty what the timeframe will be. However, if we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I could do that in a sentence, but I suppose I would get into trouble for doing so. I thank the committee for its willingness to deal with this matter today. It is important that Ireland is seen to be in a position to play a full part in the negotiations which have begun on both of these instruments. A positive response to the motions which have been tabled will facilitate that objective....

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: There are many things that I would like to do and that we might like to do in this State but, of course, we have to be realistic in what we can achieve. It is important that, in developing the future direction and vision for our Defence Forces, we maintain a balanced perspective with regard to expenditure and resourcing decisions, while also having an awareness of what expenditure may be...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I can only say to the Deputy that he has a brass neck. When I came into the Department the position was, based on the funding that his party agreed with the troika, we would have been to maintain a defence force of personnel across the three services of more than 7,000. This Government made serious decisions to maintain the operational capacity of the Defence Forces and maintain their...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training, equipment and up to date technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. All elements of defence expenditure were examined for the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011. In response to these resource constraints, the defence organisation has...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: There are violations of rights, particularly of women, in Saudi Arabia.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The United States does not get everything right or do everything right. We are, however, dealing with a simple issue, namely, the transport of troops and the use of Shannon Airport. The airport has been used for many years in that context and there is no reason it should not continue to be so used. It is of particular benefit to the airport and the local economy that it is so used.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Review (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy may be aware, a value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force was completed and published in November 2012. It recommended the retention of an Army reserve, previously known as the FCA, and a Naval Service reserve, previously known as An Slua Muirí, with a combined strength of approximately 4,000 personnel and a range of other reforms which together would ensure a...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Review (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The changes introduced were of crucial importance. One of the difficulties with the Reserve Defence Force is that a significant number of its members do not participate in paid training days. It is very important that we have a Reserve Defence Force that is fit for purpose and can engage with and assist the Permanent Defence Force when required. The new reforms we have introduced are...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Review (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: Yes, the title is the Reserve Defence Force.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve Review (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: While I have not recently met representatives of the association, I met them in or around the time of the meeting to which the Deputy referred. I am always happy to meet the organisation. This is never an issue and I am not aware of an outstanding request for a meeting. If its representatives wish to meet me, I would be happy to meet them. To address Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's question,...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The comment to which the Deputy refers comes from a presentation I recently delivered at the Institute of International and European Affairs. In the presentation I outlined key issues raised in the Green Paper on Defence published in July. The purpose of the Green Paper was to initiate and stimulate a broad consultative process which would inform the development of a new White Paper on...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I have absolutely no doubt that, in the context of the preparation of the White Paper, there will be substantial input from the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps. The Deputy might have noticed that Commandant Mark Mellett was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The other Deputy Chief of Staff comes from the Air Corps and the Chief of Staff is from the Army. There is a balance in this regard which will ensure that in the preparation and finalisation of the White Paper, all sections of the Defence Forces will be fully and properly represented. I am looking forward - when we have concluded our consideration of the substantial number of submissions...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is extraordinary that the Deputy's only international bête noire is the United States. He obviously is not concerned that 100,000 people have been killed in Syria or that there are difficulties in the other parts of the world for which no one can hold the United States responsible.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: In relation to the Deputy's question, An Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, ATCP, which in practice means assisting an Garda Síochána when requested to do so. These ATCP security duties...