Results 541-560 of 4,808 for speaker:Alan Shatter in 'Dáil debates'

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...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: Apparently so.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy knows, US planes transporting members of that country's military have landed at Shannon for many years. There is no reason, in the context of the use of Shannon, that we should impede such transportation in any way. Indeed, there is no suggestion of which I am aware of any difficulties arising at Shannon Airport. I draw to the Deputy's attention that the business generated as...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy has obviously failed to notice that there is a group in Afghanistan called the Taliban-----

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----which generally believes that it should enforce the most extreme form-----

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----of Islamic law whereby no woman should be educated or appear in public without being completely covered-----

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: ----- and that girls going to school are seen as reasonable targets and can be shot. Also operating out of Afghanistan is al-Qaeda, which planned and carried out the destruction of the twin towers in New York. The Deputy seems to be of the view that the sole focus of evil in the world is the United States and that there are no other trouble spots on the face of the planet-----

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----where individuals violate fundamental rights, seek to prevent normal communal activities and discriminate against women in a very foul way, treat them as second-class citizens and attempt to prevent them from accessing any form of education.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I do not believe Deputy Wallace asked a question.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: When one must use abuse, one is losing the argument.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (6 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I would not describe myself as a poodle or any other type of dog. I like dogs and am of the view that we should encourage people to keep pets because the latter brighten their lives and give them other interests. The only country Deputy Finian McGrath and some of his colleagues ever pillory for its conduct is the United States. I would love to see him, Deputy Mick Wallace and perhaps...