Results 7,901-7,920 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I thank all Members who contributed. Deputy O'Donnell referred to Vote 30 and the repayments to RTE. The Deputy will note that it is only a technical Supplementary Estimate. This means there is no increased provision for the Department; it is being done with savings within the Department. I take the point about nine years being a long time for reconciliation.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I understand the amount was being continually disputed. Perhaps there is a more rational explanation but it does not require an increased allocation for the Department.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I take that point; it involves money that could be spent in other areas. On the Garda Síochána, 258 retired in 2008 so we expected around 400 retirements this year. Unfortunately, the figure has reached 800. It is important to retain people who have knowledge but Garda promotions are still taking place and senior posts are being sanctioned and filled. My colleague, the Minister for...

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My advice is that the Government proposes to maintain the size of the force as it currently is; it will not be increasing.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The same thing applies to the Army.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I will find out and let the Deputy know.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: If the Deputy knows the answer, why is she asking the question?

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In the face of this whining and whingeing, these bean sí interventions, I am trying to answer.

Vote 41 - Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: On asylum seekers, it is taking longer to move people. They are exercising their right to seek a judicial review. The numbers have not increased but those who are there are spending longer in accommodation while pursuing their legal rights. Deputy O'Donnell said the temporary employment subsidy scheme is very restrictive and I agree. There are two factors - the scheme must be flexible...

Estimates for Public Services 2009 (8 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I move the following Supplementary Estimates:

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (3 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's White Paper on Defence sets out the role the Defence Forces might play in the provision of support and services to other public agencies and the community in general. The Defence Forces can provide assistance in the maintenance of essential services during natural disasters and in major accidents and emergencies. The level of support that can be provided by the Defence...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (2 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: 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 Order sets out the basis on which the Society shall be governed. It provides that there shall be a Central Council which shall exercise the powers of the Society, organise the Society and control and manage the affairs of the Society. Membership...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020. I understand that a Taskforce on electric vehicles has been established, comprising a number of Government Departments and Agencies, to advise on the options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the national roll-out of electric vehicles in a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from the relevant Defence Forces Brigade respond to requests for assistance, made by an Garda Síochána, in dealing with suspect devices and the removal of old ordnance. The Defence Forces EOD Team is required to treat all devices as suspect until the EOD Officer confirms the nature of the device at the scene. The total number of call outs...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven (7) members...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Dec 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The cost, in 2008, of heating the Department's offices in Dublin, Galway and Roscrea amounted to about €88,500. The cost of heating the various military barracks and premises throughout the country amounted to €3,500,000.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military Office within my Department. The Office supports the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, and continues to work with Government departments and agencies to ensure effective coordination, the sharing of information and the best...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The National Emergency Coordination Centre has been used on an ongoing basis since it was established in mid 2007. The Centre is available to all government departments and agencies for use in emergency planning and response. It is the venue for meetings of the Governmental Task Force on Emergency Planning, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning and the National Steering...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Emergency Planning was established as a joint civil and military office within the Department of Defence. The Office supports the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which is chaired by the Minister for Defence and it works with other departments and agencies to ensure effective coordination and the best possible use of resources. A key area of activity...