Results 7,681-7,700 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Something original.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: There are 40% more gardaí than when Fine Gael was there.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy can quote whoever he wishes.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I have very limited time available to me because I am sharing time with the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Kelleher. I apologise to the House for missing part of the debate. I understand my absence was referred to by Deputies O'Donnell and Jan O'Sullivan. From 10.30 a.m. until approximately 12.10 p.m., I was in committee on defence business...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I listened with interest to Deputies Michael D. Higgins and Dan Neville. Both Deputies made constructive contributions, most of which I agree with. Contrary to the impression given, however, a great deal has been done since the interim report was produced and considerable work continues to be done behind the scenes. For example, one of the recommendations in the interim report was that...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: It will not be made today but it is due shortly. Significant work is also being done behind the scenes on the industrial park. The globalisation fund was negotiated with the European Commission by the Government, not by Alan Kelly, MEP, or any other MEP. The Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, will visit Limerick on Monday to explain how the process will work in practice. Everyone in...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: While I accept that, a great deal of private investment is available.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Government investment was €25 million in each of the past two years and €25 million this year.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I fully accept that.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: It is the reason I have called a meeting on the issue for next Tuesday.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: A great deal of money has been spent to develop communities. We have allocated 100 additional gardaí which means the number of gardaí in the areas in question is about twice that when the Fine Gael-led Government left office. That was at the origin of many of the areas' problems.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The Government has provided money and appointed regeneration personnel to spend it. It is now examining whether this money is being spent to best effect.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Large sums of money have been spent on rehousing people from the areas in question.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Rebuilding is the next priority and the reason for the meeting I have called for Tuesday.

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Contrary to the impression being created, a great deal of work continues to be done. I have every confidence in the ability of the Government and Tánaiste to deliver on the recommendations in the interim report. I was somewhat disappointed that the Government was not consulted by Mr. Brosnan before he met the joint committee. Much work has been done and remains to be done but it will be...

Mid-West Task Force: Statements (28 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: And to take credit for it.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I understand that the claim processed under the C&A scheme in 2007 referred to payments for substitution. These payments are not pensionable in the case of the former personnel in question.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (27 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The question of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review. Requests for Defence Forces participation in new missions are considered on a case by case basis within the context of the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System (UNSAS) and this would be the case with any such request for Defence Forces assistance to the Haiti mission. Currently the United...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 473 together. In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, the Defence Forces in their role as aid to the civil power (an Garda Síochána) and aid to the civil authorities (i.e. local authorities, HSE, etc.) can be called upon to provide support to locally based services. During the recent period of severe weather conditions, I...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged on an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The programme provides for new starts and the continuation of capital building projects already underway. The amount allocated in 2010 for this programme is €12.8m of which €7m approx. will be...