Results 8,221-8,240 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Community Fitness Programmes: Community Fitness Programmes (1 Jul 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The health and fitness of the general population is a matter for the Minister for Health and Children. The Defence Forces do not provide personnel such as fitness instructors in any community programme but the facilities of the Defence Forces such as the swimming pool in the Curragh are used to support voluntary community initiatives. Members of the Defence Forces, in a private capacity, are...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Provisions: Defence Forces Provisions (1 Jul 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are obliged to carry out the procurement of food products in an open and transparent manner and in line with National and EU Public Procurement Guidelines. The Defence Forces have absolutely no discretion in this regard. The previous contract for the provision of fresh poultry products for the Defence Forces expired on 31 May 2009. In anticipation of this deadline, an open...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Civil Defence Board, which comes under the aegis of my Department, has been based in Roscrea since 2004. As Roscrea is included in the Central Applications Facility (CAF), it is open to civil servants to apply for a transfer via the CAF. The numbers currently on the CAF are set out below: GRADE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS Higher Executive Officer 2 Executive Officer 1 Staff Officer 1...

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Burton is asking the question which she herself will not answer in respect of the Labour Party's proposals.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (30 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 to 365, inclusive, together. The information the Deputy has requested regarding the use of the Government Jet and Defence Forces helicopters by Government Ministers and dignitaries is set out in the form of tabular statements which I set out below. The tabular statement relating to Government Ministers sets out the dates, destinations and passengers...

Written Answers — Value for Money Audits: Value for Money Audits (30 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is committed to carrying out four Value for Money reviews under the 2006-2008 Programme of Value for Money & Policy Reviews. The following Reviews have been completed and published in the past three years: A review of Maintenance of Aircraft in the Air Corps was published in July 2006. The main finding was that the efficiency and effectiveness of aircraft maintenance was being...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (30 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities have advised that a total of seventy-two (72) of visits were conducted in the school year 2008/2009. The Defence Forces provides Careers Teams to second level schools and colleges on request. Additional visits are organised by the Defence Forces to facilitate the organisation's recruitment needs. In this regard, the implementation of the savings measures in public...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Details of the amount of interest paid in respect of late payments for goods and services supplied to my Department and the Defence Forces for the years 2004 to 2008 and January to May 2009 are as follows: € 2004 2,924 2005 2,354 2006 27,707* 2007 5,442 2008 6,258 2009 (to end-May) 1,592 *Implementation of new IT system in 2006 caused delays in payments. My Department complies...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (30 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The RDF Review Implementation plan provides for the development of an integrated element of the Reserve. In line with the plan, a pilot scheme for the development of the integrated Reserve was conducted in 2007 and continued into 2008. The costs for reservists, participating in the pilot programme in 2007 and 2008, were funded from the overall budget for training of reservists. In accordance...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (25 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 18 June 2009 a number of former RDF premises have been identified as surplus to Military requirements. These are Shanbally, Macroom, Kilcrohane, Midleton, and Greenane which are all located in Co. Cork, Killarney and Dingle in Co. Kerry together with Lahinch and Ennis in Co. Clare. Accommodation requirements are kept under...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Role: Defence Forces Role (25 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 185, inclusive, together. The support given to the President in relation to the programme of State Travel (both visits abroad and incoming) and with the acceptance of the credentials of Ambassadors to Ireland is a matter for the Government. The President acts in these matters on the advice of the Government and the arrangements are made by Government....

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has primary responsibility for the remediation of the former ISPAT site at Haulbowline Island, while the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for the future development of the site. A working group, which will include representation from my Department, is being established to consider the future...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are required to maintain sufficient stocks of ammunition for all weapon types currently in use, as well as other stocks of an explosive ordnance nature. This is to provide for operational training of all personnel and for specialised operational training prior to overseas deployment. In addition, the Defence Forces must maintain sufficient reserves of ammunition and...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The provisions of the Lisbon Treaty in the security and defence area are fully consistent with Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. In particular, the existing safeguard that the Union's policy in this area "shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States" is maintained, along with the requirement for unanimity in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware, there has been very significant investment in equipment and infrastructure in the Defence Forces over the past twelve years. The acquisition of new and replacement equipment for the Defence Forces remains a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. It is, however, imperative that my Department and the Defence Forces look to whatever efficiencies we can make, taking...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of workplace childcare has been addressed in recent National Wage Agreements under the Social Partnership heading. As the Deputy is aware, the Government is fully supportive of measures to improve childcare facilities. A crèche however must be viable if it is to succeed. There must be sufficient demand and it must be capable of meeting ongoing running costs. The Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos 39, 63, and 93 together. On 15 March 2009, MINURCAT, the United Nation's led mission in Chad and the Central African Republic assumed operational control of the United Nations force of 2,085 personnel, including 1,877 troops re-hatted from eight EUFOR contributors. In the weeks following the takeover of the force by MINURCAT, the mission faced a number of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from an accident involving a troop carrying vehicle in Granard, Co. Longford in June 2007, a study group was formed to advise on the introduction of a Roll Over Protection System for troop carrying vehicles incorporating roll bars and safety belts. The report of the study group was completed in February 2008 and submitted to the military authorities for consideration. Since then a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 45, 57 and 92 together. The Government decision of 14 October 2008 approved a programme for consolidation of Defence Forces formations and the closure of four barracks at Monaghan, Longford, Rockhill and Lifford in Donegal. These barracks closed at the end of January 2009. Most of the costs at the level of the individual soldier are once off or short-term...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 54 together. An incident occurred on 3rd June 2009 in Kilworth Camp involving a Short Range Anti-Armour weapon resulting in injuries to a member of the Defence Forces. The General Officer Commanding the Southern Brigade has established a multi disciplined Formation Accident Investigation Team to establish the cause of this incident and to make any...