Results 8,281-8,300 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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...

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

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision of 8 July 2008 instructed all Departments to achieve a 3% reduction in payroll costs in 2009. In order to achieve these savings, it was necessary from that date to impose severe restrictions on the filling of vacancies in my Department. On 27 March 2009 the Government imposed a moratorium on recruitment and promotion. Subsequently, it introduced the incentivised...

Written Answers — Sail Training Programme: Sail Training Programme (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 71 together. The refurbishment programme for the Creidne is almost complete. The vessel is due to undergo trials over the coming days and I expect it to be ready in time for its first voyage on the 3rd July. The Creidne Sail Training Programme begins on 3 July and ends on 11 September. During that time it will undertake five voyages, mainly along the...

Written Answers — Army Medical Corps: Army Medical Corps (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 66, 79, 85 and 369 together. The development of the Medical Corps in the Defence Forces forms part of the agreed programme for Government. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. As you are no doubt aware the challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos 47, 53, 60, and 68 together. Defence Forces contingents were first deployed to Chad in February 2008 with the UN-mandated EU-led operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR Tchad/RCA. EUFOR's mandate expired on 15 March 2009 and the operation was replaced by the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions number 48 and 378 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. In the 2000 White Paper on Defence, the Government decided that the Naval Service would be based on an 8-ship flotilla and committed to a modernisation and replacement...

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

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces signed a contract at the end of May 2008 with a UK company, Air Partner Commercial Jets, for the charter of two Mi -8T helicopters to support its operations with EUFOR in Chad. The helicopters arrived in theatre in June 2008 and were contracted to March 2009. The Defence Forces contracted the helicopters for the operational deployment of troops in EUFOR and to facilitate...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (23 Jun 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 80 and 83 together. The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act, 1938. The Order sets out the basis on which the Society shall be governed. It provides that there shall be a Central Council which shall exercise the powers of the Society, organise the Society and...