Results 8,261-8,280 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: During 2008, 4,321 Reservists availed of paid training utilising a total of 81,172 man-days. The budgetary provision for paid training was â¬7.3 million with an outturn of â¬6.604 million. The budgetary provision for paid training in 2009 is â¬4.963m. This will provide for approximately 60,000 paid training mandays and is sufficient to ensure that all current members of the Army Reserve...
- Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which was on standby from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2008. The other members of the Nordic Battlegroup were Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The Defence Forces contribution to the NBG was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD) contingent with its own security...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: Based on the outturn in 2008, the estimated breakdown of the provision of â¬4.372 million in subhead F of the 2009 Defence Estimate for Professional Consultants' and Specialists' fees is as follows: GP services: â¬1.8m Dental services: â¬1.4m Medical Consultancy: â¬0.7m Physiotherapy: â¬0.5m
- Written Answers — Cyber Warfare: Cyber Warfare (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: Cyber security, cyber crime and internet security represent challenges that are constantly evolving and require vigilance and appropriate responses. Cyber security is multi facetted. The nature of the threat and the potential impact also varies considerably depending on the approach and objective of those with malicious intent. In the first instance, each State agency, business and...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 380 and 384 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...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Promotions: Defence Forces Promotions (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The implications and implementation of the recent Government Decision on savings measures on public service numbers are currently under consideration in my Department. While the restriction on recruitment, promotion and payment of allowances for the performance of duties of a higher grade applies to the Defence Forces across the board, questions have arisen in relation to a number of issues...
- Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The position is that my Department currently has approximately 38 personal injury claims primarily alleging Post Traumatic Stress Disorder arising from service abroad. 10 of these cases are currently in the process of being discontinued as no formal proceedings have been received. An estimate of the potential liability of quantum in relation to PTSD claims is difficult to predict. This is...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Allowances: Defence Forces Allowances (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The review of Border Duty allowance has been the subject of negotiations between the Department and the Representative Association under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme (C&A scheme) for members of the Permanent Defence Forces. The matter has now been sent for Adjudication which is scheduled for Wednesday 8th July 2009. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement: Defence Forces Retirement (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: Lt Gen Pat Nash who recently retired has had a long and distinguished career in Ãglaigh na hÃireann - the Irish Defence Forces. His contribution is perhaps best captured in the Citation from the Distinguished Service Medal that I very recently awarded to General Nash following his successful leadership of the EUFOR mission in Chad. This read: "For distinguished service as Operational...
- Written Answers — Asgard II Replacement Vessel: Asgard II Replacement Vessel (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: It is my intention to proceed with plans to replace Asgard II. In that regard, I am at present in discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, regarding the funding arrangements for the new vessel. It is proposed that the new vessel will be a steel hulled vessel similar in design to Asgard II. A firm estimate of the cost of a new vessel is not available at this stage. It is...
- Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: My Department has authorised one club to use the Military facilities located at the Phoenix Park. Any club wishing to avail of these facilities can submit an application to the Property Management Branch of my Department who will, following consultation with the Military authorities, allow or deny access to the facility. It should be noted that the use of any facility or property owned by...
- Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The rationale behind the presence of red zones and the restricted area is one of flight safety and the safeguarding of members of the public in the vicinity of the Aerodrome. This is in line with international practice at all airports.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The press conferences and policy launches held by my Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 were as follows: Date Event Cost 29th March 2007 Review of the 35th Infantry Group KFOR leaving for peacekeeping duties in Kosovo NIL 5th April 2007 Launch by Minister O'Dea of two reports regardingThe issues affecting the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence ForcesA review of...
- Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together. The relevant bodies within the remit of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. No advertising campaigns to promote the policies or programmes of these bodies or of my Department have been carried out during the first six months of 2009.
- Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (23 Jun 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...
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of the Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. The number to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil service posts together with some 60 military...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Training and Equipment: Defence Forces Training and Equipment (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: I am satisfied that each of the services, Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles assigned to them by Government. On the issue of training, I am satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government under the...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Army and Navy Reserve over the past five years is set out in the tabular statement under: Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve Army Reserve Naval Service Reserve TotalArmy Reserve Total Naval Service Officers Officers NCOs NCOs Privates Seamen Reserve 2004 693 26 2,908 77 8,769 294 12,370 397 2005 662 26 2,665 75 7,098 307 10,425...
- Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 385 together. Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which was on standby from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2008. The other members of the Nordic Battlegroup were Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The Defence Forces contribution to the NBG was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device...
- Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (23 Jun 2009)
Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 387 together. A breakdown of the number of female personnel promoted in the Defence Forces in the past twelve months by rank is set out in the tabular statement under: Commandant to Lieutenant Colonel 1 Captain to Commandant 3 Lieutenant to Captain 6 2nd Lieutenant or Ensign to Lieutenant or Sub Lieutenant 11 Corporal to Sergeant 8 Private to...