Results 8,201-8,220 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 6 and 23 together. I am advised by the military authorities that the number of officers of the Permanent Defence Force to retire in the period 1 January to 30 September 2009 before reaching the mandatory retirement age for their rank was 25. A further 23 retired on age grounds. In the case of enlisted personnel, the number discharged prior to reaching the...

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Through the implementation of the White Paper since 2000, we have seen significant changes in the Army, in terms of the quality of personnel, equipment and training. My advice is that the organisation is now in a very healthy state in terms of personnel and equipment. It is true that the McCarthy report proposes that we reduce the size of the Permanent Defence Force from 10,500 to 10,000...

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Which proposals on defence from the McCarthy report does Deputy Deenihan actually support?

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am waiting to find that out. Maybe we will find out before 4.45 p.m. As I have acknowledged to the House, the moratorium-----

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am not in the least bit rattled. The Deputy flatters himself.

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I have already acknowledged that the moratorium is having a particular impact on the Army, because of its large turnover of people. We are now down to 10,081, whereas we should have 10,500. We are being affected by the moratorium more than any other public service organisation. I have made that case very strongly to the Minister for Finance and I appreciate Deputy Deenihan's support. I am...

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: That remains to be decided. We have quite a few concessions so far, but the recruitment, the acting up and the limited number of promotions are all absolutely vital. We will have decisions on that very shortly. The budgetary process is only beginning today with regard to Cabinet meetings. The conditions of the Army have improved out of all proportion in the last ten years due to investment...

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the figures in the body of the answer for the breakdown from the Army, Naval Service and the Air Corps, but I think the Deputy will find it in the tabular statement. If it is not there, he can get back to me and I will obtain the figures for him. I do not know the details of the time pattern of retirement either, but I will get the information for him in so far as I can do so....

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy O'Shea will know the exact position in December when the budget is delivered by the Minister for Finance.

Defence Forces Strength. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am optimistic by nature. I will also get the Deputy some up to date information on the Air Corps.

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 11, 29 and 38 together. The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes included a recommendation for full year savings of €5.6 million, arising from a two thirds reduction in the strength of the reserve Defence Force. This is one of many recommendations contained in the report. Planned expenditure levels for my...

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The figure for those classed as non-effective as of 1 August is 989. With regard to the integrated and front line reserves, my focus is on preserving the reserve at a reasonable strength. I do not accept fully the recommendations of the McCarthy report. I am trying to do my best to preserve the reserve and to consolidate the progress we have made in implementing the initial 2000 White...

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: With regard to the Deputy's first question, what the McCarthy report proposes is that we reduce the reserve by two-thirds, with a view to saving €5.6 million. Therefore, only one-third of what remains of the reserve would survive the McCarthy proposals.

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I think he worked off the figure at the beginning of the year, approximately 7,500. Therefore, he was talking in terms of having a reserve of approximately 2,500.

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I think it is the figure at the beginning of the year, which was approximately 7,500.

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, but I will double check the situation for the Deputy. When the moratorium was first introduced, we were advised by the Department of Finance it also applied to the reserve. We had a situation where we had a certain number of non-effective people each year - people who do not turn up for training etc. - and numbers were continually dropping, so I got sanction from the Department of...

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I find myself, once again, in total agreement with Deputy Deenihan. We should be encouraging people to rejoin the reserves. The changes we have made in terms of better equipment, training, uniforms, etc., are an encouragement in itself, as well as the fact that we have targeted gratuities - the more training one does the more one earns, or as near as possible. Basically we are going...

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As regards Deputy OShea's question, I stand open to correction. I thought that if somebody in receipt of social welfare wanted to become part of the Reserve Defence Force, that would not interfere with his or her entitlement. That was my understanding of the position.

Defence Forces Reserve. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I take the Deputy's point and we should use the Reserve Defence Force more in relation to the unemployed in terms of reskilling, etc. That is something I shall think about. With regard to Deputy Deenihan's point I was not aware that there were great numbers of people flooding across the Border to join the reserve in the North. However, I shall take his word for it. As far as I am...

Public Expenditure Review Report. (8 Oct 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 12, 14, 26, 41 and 60 together. The Defence property portfolio is kept under ongoing review by military authorities and the staff in my Department to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. This includes ongoing review of the organisation, structure and formation of the...