Results 7,821-7,840 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 109 and 261 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN stand-by arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army excluding reserves and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The factors taken into account when considering participation in a mission include whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response, how the mission relates the priorities of Irish foreign policy, the degree of risk involved, the extent to which the required skills and characteristics relate to Irish capabilities, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate,...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: When these wind-downs have taken place, the number of personnel working overseas will fall from 758 to 480. There will continue to be a substantial number of people based overseas. I have been informed that if the proposal I have submitted to the Minister for Finance is accepted - even partially - we will continue to be in a position to send troops overseas. Our capacity to send troops...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The 50 figure will be broken down in a 37:13 ratio. I take it the Deputy welcomes that.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The effects of the moratorium will be further alleviated by additional concessions which I am hoping to secure from the Minister for Finance. We will come to a separate question on the medical corps in due course. I emphasise that we take every precaution to secure the safety of Irish troops when they go abroad. We ensure that they have access to level 1 medical facilities, at least. They...

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Today.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I thought I would volunteer some information that is not in the newspaper to the Deputy. I refer to my announcement that the 50 promotions will be split in a 37:13 ratio.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The figure is 35 or 36 below 10,000.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the specific information sought by the Deputy. I am operating on the basis of the normal annual fall-out, which is between 530 and 540. It may have been slightly over 540 last year.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy suggested that people are leaving as a consequence of financial pressures, etc.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: People are leaving for various reasons.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: There are also a number of reasons that might compel people to stay. They might be tempted to stay because it is not easy to find a job at the moment. I have received the approval of the Government to maintain a complement of 10,000. We are in discussions with the Department of Finance about that decision at the moment. I intend to avail of it fully.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I congratulate Deputy O'Shea on his ingenuity in seeking a further response to a question he raised earlier.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: A helpful Chair is essential. I have already given the Deputy a concession in arranging for my officials to meet the people concerned and we will see if anything arises from that meeting.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: They are more than welcome.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: Two concessions in one Question Time is not bad.

Overseas Missions. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: In regard to Chad, I have no information that the situation has changed in any material way. There is ongoing low level criminal activity in camps but it is at nothing like the level that obtained prior to the arrival of the United Nations. We must consider a number of factors in deciding overseas missions. We obviously must have regard to the financial situation and the need to work...

Defence Forces Review. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 75, 86 and 87 together. The PA report is an important milestone in addressing the challenges to the provision of medical services in the Defence Forces. Implementation will take time and commitment. On receipt of the report in June 2009, I accepted the recommendations and asked that implementation of the recommendations proceed immediately. The report...

Defence Forces Review. (20 Jan 2010)

Willie O'Dea: I will investigate the matter involving the chemist and revert to the Deputy on it. It has been widely accepted for years that the medical corps is in an unsatisfactory state for a number of reasons but we have lacked a roadmap for the solution. I decided to jump-start the process by appointing consultants and I have now received a report. I previously advised Deputy Deenihan that some of...