Results 781-800 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána maintains a close working relationship with the police and security services in Northern Ireland and Great Britain and, indeed, with their counterparts in other EU and third countries in respect of ongoing, international efforts to counter terrorism. I am sure the Deputy will understand that it would not be appropriate, for sound reasons of security, to elaborate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, who is responsible for the distribution and allocation of personnel throughout the force, that the areas in question are covered by Blanchardstown Garda District. The personnel strength of Blanchardstown Garda District on 31 January 2014 was 353. There are also 31 Garda Reserves and 22 civilian staff assigned to the District. The Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that competitions are ongoing at present to fill vacancies in all three ranks specified. Interviews are being held at the moment in the Sergeant and Inspectors competitions. The Superintendents competition was advertised last month. The sanctioned vacancies for each of the specified ranks will be filled with the successful candidates at the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Clontarf Garda Sub-District. I am further informed that a Community Garda is assigned to the area and regularly meets with local residents to address any issues that arise including the type of incidents referred to. The area is regularly patrolled by foot and mobile patrols including Mountain Bike patrols,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service recognises that the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Transport (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can confirm that the Taoiseach’s flight earlier this month was not subject to any search prior to its departure from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel en-route to Washington. I have been informed by the Air Corps that the US Customs pre-clearance carried out at Dublin Airport before the departure of the Ministerial Air Transport flight on 16 March, 2008 took place at the request of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990’s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Expenses (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: There are no official cars available to civil servants of my Department. Where travel is deemed necessary for business purposes, staff of my Department are required to use public transport wherever possible, in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines. Where staff are authorised to use their private cars for travel on official business, mileage expenses are...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Of course, that is one of the varied and numerous issues to be considered in the context of the Defence Force White Paper which will look to the future, to the State's needs and to the capabilities of the Defence Forces. It will look to the operational requirements, both in the context of serving abroad and at home and in providing an assistance to the civil power. A key issue is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: We have been able to maintain the resources and equipment of the Defence Forces at a very high level to meet the operation requirements of the Defences Forces, both in the context of the Army, navy and Air Corps. In the context of the consideration of the purchase of any further assets for the Air Corps, that is a matter based on looking at what is contained ultimately in the White Paper on...

Other Questions: European Defence Capabilities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces liaise with other armed forces personnel throughout the European Union through a range of fora. These include: NATO Partnership for Peace, EU military staff, EU military committee in Brussels and European Defence Agency. Ireland joined Partnership for Peace, PfP, on 1 December 1999. The primary aim of our PfP participation is to enhance the Defence Forces'...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I understand we have more missions currently serving overseas than at any time previously in the history of the State. We are engaged concurrently in 14 different missions. On 22 January 2013, the Council of the European Union extended the mandate of EUTM Somalia to March 2015. This third mandate implied a significant change of focus for the mission, with the inclusion of strategic,...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel in both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Forces on Friday, 7 March 2014. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and the current campaign will enable this to be achieved. Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The mission has changed significantly since locating in Mogadishu, having initially been in Uganda. We are engaged in 14 overseas missions, including EUTM Somalia, and given Ireland's commitment to this mission to date in order to support the smooth handover between mission commanders, we granted approval to retain the Defence Forces personnel in their current appointments until the end of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: If, in the context of aeroplanes landing at Shannon Airport during the course of this year, the Deputy can provide additional information which indicates that the arrangements and agreements relating to such landings are being violated or that armaments are being carried when they should not be, I will have the matter examined. I am open to correction, but he seems to be operating on the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have not driven anybody onto a runway. It would be very unwise to drive people to such a place.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have an extraordinarily long reply and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will have to stop me halfway through it. However, I will do my best. EUTM Somalia which was launched on 7 April 2010 has been deployed to provide military training for members of the Somali national armed forces so as to increase their capability to ensure the sovereignty and security of the Somali state. The mission is...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The incident to which the Deputy refers was contrary to normal conditions that apply to foreign military aircraft overflying or landing in Ireland. It is down to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade that this incident was raised at the highest level with the US Embassy by senior officials in his Department. The US Embassy expressed regret over the incident and...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have no knowledge - nor has Deputy Daly - of any aircraft landing in Shannon that was carrying the munitions to Iraq that she mentioned. If the Deputy has information that could confirm that she is very welcome to furnish it to me. I do not jump to assumptions regarding these matters. I cannot add to what I have said on this matter. For many years it has been the case that US aircraft...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is not necessary to give me a summary of the issues involved because I have read in full the concerns raised, the critique and the questions asked about some individuals not being questioned or given the opportunity to discuss matters. However, having read the report on file, I do not see how, so many years further on, a further discussion would add greater enlightenment to these events,...