Results 4,681-4,700 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan
- Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: The figure reported in the national media was that there are currently 10,378 ex-servicemen and 10,353 active servicemen, which means there are 25 more on pension than in active service. I am not referring to people who want to retire, but if a captain at 54 years wishes to stay on, can that opportunity be granted to him or her? If a captain must retire at 55, while privates retire at 60ââ
- Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: It does not make sense that those commanded by a captain can stay for another five years while he or she must retire.
- Defence Forces Retirement Scheme. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister give it favourable consideration?
- Defence Forces Civilianisation. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: There seems to be no great urgency about civilianisation but perhaps the Minister is proceeding with caution. I have referred previously to the medical corps in this regard and I am sure the Minister agrees that there should be a role for the employment of medical doctors, given that there is such difficulty in attracting personnel to the Army medical corps. The position does not seem to be...
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Those carrying out the research around the country later this year should ask members of the public whether they still have the booklet. I would say few do. How often has the interdepartmental body which monitors emergency responses and which is under the chairmanship of the Minister met in the past year? How many permanent staff are in the office on Kildare Street? Is there a direct...
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Yes.
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: That is the plan.
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Not everybody has access to it, unfortunately.
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: What about the Government group â the emergency group within the Cabinet?
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Yes. Does it meet often?
- National Emergency Plan. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: The Minister should be a member of it, given his position as Minister for Defence.
- Army Equitation School. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: There are two aspects to the Army equitation school. The Minister has spoken about personnel, on foot of Deputy Wall's questions, but I would like to ask about the school's horses. Many people expect that if Ireland wins a gold medal at this year's Olympic Games, our equestrian team will be involved. Will the Minister consider increasing the derisory figure of just â¬300,000 which is...
- Army Equitation School. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: I have. If I have had one success over the last year, it is that I got the Minister to follow in my footsteps a week after I visited the Army equitation school. The fact that the young fellows up there were calling me "Minister" must have sent out a message. Fair play to the Minister â he was there the following week, accompanied by Mr. Joe Walsh and three cameramen. I had some success...
- Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: I agree with the Minister and Deputy Wall that air support is critical. I understand it is the beginning of the rainy season in Chad and it will be impossible to travel overland in jeeps or 4WDs. Therefore, air support and transport are essential if the troops are to carry out their functions properly. I have three questions. First, I understand the issue originally raised by the UN...
- Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: How many are left? Were the drones replaced? My third question concerns air transport capability. If Defence Forces personnel are to serve on similar missions, should we not obtain our own air transport which not alone could be used on such missions but also employed in our huge humanitarian aid programme, in the process giving us more independence and certainty? It would also save money...
- Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: I raised the issue of parcels at Christmas with the Minister, which issue is very important to personnel. Has the Minister made provisions in this regard?
- Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recently published second report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. [25784/08]
- Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: At the launch of her report, the ombudsman was quite scathing with regard to staffing, the level of which is simply not adequate to allow her to carry out her functions properly. The ombudsman was in situ for nine months before a second member of staff arrived. It appears there is no interest in supporting the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, which was established by the...
- Defence Forces Ombudsman. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Will the Minister give a firm commitment to the effect that the issue of staffing resources will be addressed? I understand that the ombudsman made a submission in respect of this matter in June 2007 but that no action was taken. Will the Minister ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will be housed in proper accommodation as soon as possible?
- Overseas Missions. (2 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Deenihan: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Chad and the situation of the Irish troops there. [25785/08]