Results 581-600 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: An element of the international trend in many countries has been that the numbers in permanent defence forces have been dramatically reduced and replaced by similar numbers in the reserve defence forces. I would not be happy to go down that path. There is a requirement for a particular level. We have been discussing that in terms of numbers, but I think we should be discussing it in terms...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I apologise to Deputy Deenihan as I missed an important element of his previous question relating to the involvement of the Reserve Defence Force in instances such as the snow and ice. We need to learn from that for the future because the Permanent Defence Force personnel involved did an outstanding job and the public appreciated it, particularly in the areas where it was really needed. It...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I missed the point about training, which I will deal with.

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I will have to come back to Deputy Deenihan on the number of women because I do not have the information with me. I think I know the numbers with regard to effective and non-effective but I will send them on to Deputy Stanton. It is also important. I agree with his point on military discipline and all of the other elements which are quite attractive to young people and have positive...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: My apologies. That has been mentioned to me anecdotally and I will come back to the Deputy in the House on the matter because if it were true it would need to be addressed.

Overseas Missions (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: Ireland has offered, through the UN standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of our standing Army, excluding reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment we can make to overseas peacekeeping operations....

Overseas Missions (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I agree that the posting of Irish troops overseas has contributed very positively to our international credibility. We have a standing commitment to have 850 personnel overseas, and that would best be served by having a detachment at battalion level, as the Deputy proposes. At this point no mission has been mentioned in terms of an Irish involvement. As I said in my reply, we require a...

Overseas Missions (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: We are members of the UN standby arrangement system and our deployment of 850 personnel is available for call-down, as the UN is aware. When I was having discussions with UN representatives with regard to the mission in Chad, I made clear we would be available for future missions. I have no doubt that proposals will be put to us in the not too distant future at which point we will consider...

Irish Red Cross Society (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act 1938. The society is an independent charitable organisation with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. Membership of the council is by way of appointment by the Government or by election in...

Irish Red Cross Society (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: Deputy O'Shea stated that primary legislation may be required. While this may the case at some point in the future, particularly bearing in mind the Deputy's points regarding adverse publicity in respect of the Irish Red Cross and the impact this is likely to be having, which cannot be positive, I am disposed to making the changes that can be made fairly quickly. Following my meeting with...

Irish Red Cross Society (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I do not recollect any issue being raised or any difficulty being expressed in regard to the composition of the board and the fact that the Government nominates one third of its members. There are a number of recommendations, one of which pertains to the manner, for example, in which the chairman will be appointed. This process is likely to take some time and is one of the reasons for the...

Naval Service Vessels (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Naval Service operates eight general purpose ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The current exclusive fishery limits extend to 200 miles offshore and cover an area of 132,000 nautical square miles. The Naval Service currently patrols the entire 200 mile limit...

Naval Service Vessels (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: While patrol days are an important element of surveillance, they are increasingly less so in the context of the type of monitoring possible, in particular when one takes account of the work of the Lisbon centre, the co-operation between the relevant countries and the advanced co-operation between the Garda Síochána, Customs Service and Naval Service. Surveillance in this regard is much...

Naval Service Vessels (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: Detailed and extensive contract negotiations are close to conclusion and at that point a decision will have to be made on the timing of the purchase of vessels and no more than any other element of public service that will have to be considered in the context of the current budgetary constraints. A considerable amount of work has been done on foot of the tender competition. I am not in a...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: In accordance with the Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, the Reserve Defence Forces was re-organised along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force in October 2005. The reserve now mirrors the Permanent Defence Force with the Army Reserve organised within a three brigade structure and a Reserve Defence Forces Training Authority. In addition there is a Naval Service...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am aware of the points made by Deputy O'Shea regarding concerns the reserve and its representatives have. I had a meeting with them and attended its annual general meeting in the Curragh some weeks back. These issues are ongoing and can be addressed over a period of time. If I were to look back at the recommendations in the White Paper, produced almost ten years ago, and the plan that...

Defence Forces Reserve (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: As the Deputy will know, in many respects tensions are not always negative. If the effect of them is to impact negatively on morale, that is something worth considering. Work on the White Paper is not yet under way. There will be an opportunity for the reserve and its representatives to have a positive impact in that respect. I have undertaken that account will be taken of its concerns...

Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000, all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. I am advised by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Ministerial Air Transport Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings: (a) The direct cost, i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (1 Jun 2010)

Tony Killeen: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2009 was 10,325 and 9,856 as at 30 April 2010. A breakdown of these strengths, according to formation and rank, is provided in the tabular statements. As previously advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 May 2010, I am acutely aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Permanent Defence Force, particularly in...