Results 461-480 of 4,808 for speaker:Alan Shatter in 'Dáil debates'

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 18 together. My Department is engaged on an ongoing building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under the building programme, there has been considerable capital investment at the Curragh Camp in recent years. For example, between 2008 and...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy seems to have lost sight of the fact the Curragh Camp is a military one. She seems to want to create another version of a new city or a new town in the Curragh. As I said to Deputy Wallace yesterday in another context, I would be interested in him sharing with me what it is that is good that the Garda does. I would be interested in Deputy Daly sharing with us one day what it is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: First - I mean this seriously - I bow to the Deputy's expertise in the construction industry and in looking at the houses and at their possibilities but, put simply, I do not have the funding to restore housing accommodation and I have a responsibility, as Minister for Defence, to ensure we do everything necessary to facilitate the operational capacities of the Defence Forces and the best...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The day-to-day administration of recruitment to the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. I am advised by the military authorities that a declaration of asthma during childhood does not automatically rule out a person from acceptance to the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. An individual assessment of each case is made by the examining medical officer, taking into account...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Merely stating on the form that one had childhood asthma should not exclude an individual from joining the Defence Forces. The provisions do not say that. There must be an individual medical assessment of how the applicant is at the time of the application, not what occurred simply during childhood. There may be more to the background of this matter than the Deputy or I are aware. Where...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Wednesday is a better day.

Other Questions: Garda Resources (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I share the Deputy's perspective of the professionalism of the members of the Air Corps who do a fantastic job and the garda who are engaged in the Garda helicopter service. In April 1996 the then Government approved the establishment of a dedicated Garda air support unit, GASU, as recommended in the report of an interdepartmental group on air support for the Garda Síochána. The...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The circumstances in which the Garda helicopter should be deployed to assist gardaí in the myriad duties in which they are engaged is a matter for Garda management. As the Deputy will see from the figures, the flight hours seem to go up and down. In 2009, there were 2,153.23 hours. In 2010, there were 1,617 hours, so it was substantially reduced in 2010 compared with 2009. It goes up...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training resources and equipment, enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me. It is a matter that is kept under constant review at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces through their joint...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Despite the economic difficulties, our Defence Forces are better equipped than they have been at any time in the history of the State. In the context of the tasks we have to perform abroad in UN missions, they have the equipment required for the tasks they are undertaking. Most recently, with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, mission, I made demands of the UN with...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: We keep Defence Forces equipment under review. Circumstances, needs and demands change. In that context, it is of significant importance that we keep under continuing review the adequacy and appropriateness of equipment, as well as its usage to ensure we have the capability to fulfil tasks.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: There is regular training in these areas. Theoretical situations are created to look at response times. I am satisfied the Defence Forces are dealing with these issues in an appropriate manner. No one can ever predict with certainty that some unexpected and unplanned event will not take place. We should be proud of the professionalism of the Defence Forces, the extent of their training...

Other Questions: Air Corps Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the incident to which the Deputy referred, I express my condolences and the condolences of all Members of the House to the relatives of those whose lives were lost during that tragic accident. The Air Corps operate a fleet of eight helicopters, two light utility EC 135 helicopters used in the main for pilot training and six utility AW 139 helicopters used for general...

Other Questions: Air Corps Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: If there are lessons to be learned from the tragedy in Scotland, we will seek to learn them. I have no doubt the Scottish authorities will be publishing a report on the outcome of the crash investigation which we will be able to access. My officials can communicate with the Scottish authorities on any issues that arise and might be relevant to us. There are no plans to acquire any...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the issue raised by the Deputy I want to be absolutely clear. The Defence Forces follow best international practice in prescribing lariam. Personnel are screened for illness and medical suitability for service overseas. This automatically rules out from overseas service personnel with certain conditions, for example, depression, anxiety, pregnancy and neurodegenerative...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The only matter the Deputy knows is legally privileged is the report obtained with regard to lariam in the context of litigation pending before the courts taken against the Department of Defence. My recollection is much of the litigation arises from a time when the Deputy's party was in government and the members of the Defence Forces were serving at that time. It was the Deputy's colleague...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces currently operate an unmanned aerial vehicle system, commonly referred to as UAVs or drones. These UAVs, are, in effect, an information gathering asset which have no offensive capability. They do not carry weapons. We do not have any drones which carry weapons in the context of the Defence Forces. Following a tender competition, an order for two man portable mini...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: Israel has been the object of more UN resolutions than any other country in the world despite the difficulties in a broad range of other countries. I do not think it is a matter for today's debate. In the context of the tendering process, Israeli companies are entitled to submit tenders under EU rules and regulations, as are other countries and states. It is important we buy the equipment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: The EU operates with the assistance of states. I am not aware of any EU agency which is seeking, as an EU agency on its own, to acquire military equipment of any nature or seeking as an EU agency to acquire, purchase and use large numbers of drones. I am puzzled by the Deputy's question. I am not clear to what the Deputy is referring.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (11 Dec 2013)

Alan Shatter: In February 1997 the then Minister for Defence set out policy on married quarters on the basis that they were largely an anachronism and that they should be discontinued in a managed and orderly way. Since then my Department has discontinued the practice of providing such accommodation. In addition, given the age of the housing stock, it has been found that over time the properties require...