Results 8,121-8,140 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Pilatus PC9M trainer aircraft operated by the Air Corps has a limited air defensive capability appropriate to its turbo prop flight envelope. While it is not an interceptor aircraft, it could catch and intercept certain aircraft. Each aircraft has the capability to be fitted with two point 5 machine guns and two rocket launchers. In addition to the Air Corps capabilities the Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In the context of the Government decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment to the Permanent Defence Forces has been suspended. As I have already stated in the House I have made a submission to my colleague the Minister for Finance regarding the implications of the measures for the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Investigations: Defence Forces Investigations (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Formation Accident Investigation Team, which was established by the General Officer Commanding the Southern Brigade, to investigate the incident at Kilworth Camp range, has completed its report. The report is being examined at present by the relevant military authorities. In accordance with Defence Forces Regulations, a Court of Inquiry was also established to investigate the incident....

Written Answers — Air Corps Recruitment: Air Corps Recruitment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advised that in relation to the Air Corps in 2008 and 2009 there was no requirement to recruit Air Corps Cadets. This position is a function of the number of serving pilots, the number in training, the number of retirements and other anticipated departures. Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 18.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a request...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A contract for the supply of 27 Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles to the Defence Forces was awarded to BAE Systems based in South Africa in December 2008. The contract followed on from a detailed tender competition, which was initiated in May 2008 and which concluded with the selection of the RG32M in November 2008. The tender competition has allowed for the option to acquire up to another...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Consideration of the recommendations arising from the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government, including the recommendation that Departments be charged the full economic cost of the Ministerial Air Transport Service. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Regulations: Defence Forces Regulations (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I amended the Defence Force Regulations to provide for Targeted Drug Testing (TDT) with effect from 11 March, 2009. Since the introduction of the amended regulatory procedures four members of the Defence Forces comprising two members of the PDF and two from the RDF have failed a Compulsory Random Drug Test. To date no members of the Defence Forces have failed a TDT. The Irish Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous charitable body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. I have no function in the day to day administration of the Irish Red Cross and, as such, I do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs. A range of issues relating to the governance, organisational structures, and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Representation: Defence Forces Representation (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provide for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Defence Force Regulations S7 provide for representation for members of the Reserve Defence Forces. A scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C & A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force was established in 1993 and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 64 together. Ireland has participated in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force. Since then, the Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis,...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an on-going capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising of the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. Projects in the Capital...

Written Answers — Military Training: Military Training (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The International Institute of Humanitarian Law, which has its headquarters in San Remo, Italy, was founded in 1970 as a private, independent and non-profit organisation with the primary objective of promoting the application, development and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in all its dimensions and to contribute to the safeguard and respect of human rights and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As at the 1 October 2009, there were 21 civil service vacancies in my Department and its agencies as follows: Grade Department Civil Defence Board Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 1 Higher Executive Officer 2 Executive Officer 4 Staff Officer 1 Clerical Officer 9 Services Officers/Attendants etc 2 Total 20 1 The average length of vacancies is 5 months. My...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Oct 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 — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Emergency planning in this country is developed on the "lead department" principle. This means that each department is responsible for planning for emergencies that fall within its area of responsibility. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is the lead government department in relation to national security related incidents (including terrorism). The Government Task Force on...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The numbers of female personnel serving in the Defence Forces over the past five years and in 2009 to date by rank is set out in the tabular statement under:

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces receive ongoing training to enable them to participate fully in UN, EU and other missions overseas. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training, designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated on an...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 173, inclusive, together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. I am advised by the military authorities that on 30 September 2009, the most recent date for which figures are available, the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. The Naval Service operates eight general purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of...