Results 5,301-5,320 of 9,158 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: I think it is a significant issue and in many instances it brings people along a false path, creating a culture where there is a dysfunctional relationship between the service provider, the solicitor and the client, which means that they are doing things such as asking a doctor to amend a medical report through the legal process because there is a combined incentive. What is Dr. Doherty's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: Does Dr. Doherty believe that is happening?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The conclusion reached in the report to which I refer is stark: "Without systems capable of subsurface detection linked to data analysis systems ashore, the Naval Service remains quite literally, lost in the dark". This was written in the context of the fact that three quarters of transatlantic cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters. Considering the docked naval...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The document to which I refer states, "So long as Ireland remains socially and economically married to the vital but delicate network of glass laying just offshore, it is high time we considered protecting it". Does the Minister of State accept that these cables are a soft military target? The analysis demonstrates that they are the digital ecosystem of the globe. For him to deflect...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 60. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which enhanced capability is being provided for the Naval Service in ongoing requirements and contingencies, including the protection of vital sea lanes of communication of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52905/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Resources (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: I ask the Minister of State the way in which enhanced capability is being provided for the Naval Service in ongoing requirements and contingencies, including the protection of vital sea lanes of communication of Ireland, and if he will make a statement on the matter. I am sure the Minister of State is aware of an excellent article by Lieutenant Shane Mulcahy published recently in the Defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 57. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a new chairperson for the conciliation and arbitration council will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52902/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: When will a new chairperson for the conciliation and arbitration scheme be appointed? Will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter? As he knows, in September 2018 the Barry report recommended that an independent and interventionist chair should be appointed. Why is this not happening? The Minister of State is ignoring the key recommendations to which the representative...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State has indicated that the Barry report recommended that an independent chairperson should be appointed by the Minister for Defence following consultation with the parties. Why is the Minister of State prevaricating and delaying the filling of this important role? He keeps saying that a new scheme will be signed off on. Has he approached anyone to become an independent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State has published the recommendations of the report that he set in motion. It is accepted that he wants to restructure the conciliation and arbitration scheme. The problem is the implementation. Why is it taking so long? We are in the final weeks of 2019. The recommendations were issued in October 2018. It seems that it would be very simple for the Minister of State to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State should read his own replies to parliamentary questions.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of discharges from the Defence Forces to date in 2019; the number of inductions over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53207/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: What is the number of discharges from the Defence Forces to date in 2019 and the number of inductions over the same period? Will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter? As the Minister of State knows, we have had very worrying levels of turnover in the past two to three years. Perhaps the Minister of State will update the House on the percentage level of turnover for this...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The figures are very concerning. Last year, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett stated the turnover in 2018 at 8.1% was crippling us and that there were serious gaps in the organisation. I have had it confirmed by military forces that we are heading for 10% this year. We have a worsening level of turnover. The Minister of State has given the figures that the exodus is greater than recruitment and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State's record in 2019 is a double-digit level of turnover of 10%. This is an increase of 25% of the turnover from 2018. It is up from the turnover of 7.5% in 2017, with regard to which the University of Limerick stated there was a dysfunctional cycle of turnover. The Minister of State said the ships that were docked would return in the autumn but they did not. He is now...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the assertion that the Army Reserve, by reason of legislation and structural organisation, is largely prevented from enabling the meaningful application of reservists’ skills in technological innovation or in an area of specialisation beneficial to the wider Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Operations (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 69. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action he plans to take to address the fact that less than half of Air Corps pilots feel well informed on the regulation of remotely piloted aircraft systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52901/19]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 94. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 26 November 2019, if a further update will be provided in view of the urgency of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52653/19]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 99. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the defence budget, specifically Vote 36, is on profile; if not, the extent of the variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53295/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (17 Dec 2019)

Jack Chambers: 102. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the intergovernmental declaration on children, youth and climate change presented at the UNFCCC 25th conference of the parties; if Ireland will sign the declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52805/19]