Results 8,581-8,600 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 64 together. In common with other areas of the public service a reduction of 3% in payroll costs has been applied to the Defence Forces. Recruitment was suspended in late 2008 pending consideration of the best means by which to achieve this reduction. My officials and the military authorities are keeping the situation under close review on an ongoing...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos 59, 71, 77, 79, 81, 86 and 89 together. The mandate of the European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), is due to expire on 15 March 2009. Ireland is the second largest contributor to the mission with 439 Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Coiste an [i]Asgard[/i]: Coiste an [i]Asgard[/i] (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Minister for Defence is ex-officio a director of Coiste an Asgard. At present the other members of the board are: Ms Joannes Berkery Mr Brian Byrne Mr James Gleeson Mr Pat Hogan Mr Gerard Kiely Commodore Frank Lynch Mr Paddy Madden Mr Gerry McMahon Mr Seamus McLoughlin Ms Kalanne O'Leary Mr Eoin O'Mahony Mr Joe McPeake Mr Noel Ryan I am satisfied that all of the directors have relevant...

Written Answers — [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel: [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy will be aware, I have accepted the unanimous recommendation of the board of Coiste an Asgard not to proceed with the salvage of Asgard II. The main reason for that decision was that I considered that the risks were too great to commit to spending a sum in the region of €2 million at this time on a salvage effort where the outcome is uncertain. I also had to consider the cost...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 90 together. 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 strategy to maximise the operational capacity of those 8 vessels consistent with the roles assigned to the Naval Service. The White Paper specifically provides that "New...

Written Answers — Air Corps Investigation: Air Corps Investigation (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by General Officer Commanding Air Corps that a comprehensive investigation into the precautionary landing of an Air Corps AW139 helicopter on 2 March has been initiated. A full report into the incident will be provided to me following technical discussions with the helicopter manufacturer, and on foot of analysis and interpretation of the Flight Data Recorder held on board the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: From 1995 to 2004, an annual contribution of €2.86m was paid by the banks in respect of Army escorts. The contribution from the banks was designed to part-cover the total costs to the State of providing cash escorts. On 11 May 2005, I signed a formal agreement with the Irish Bankers Federation, which provides that the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Patrols: Naval Service Patrols (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 362 to 364, inclusive, 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the maintenance and restoration of the public peace rests with An Garda Siochána. Among the assigned roles to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is to aid the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, An Garda Siochána). The Defence Forces Annual Training Plan provides for training in a broad spectrum of activities, including...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Medical Staff: Defence Forces Medical Staff (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The number of medical staff within the Defence Forces is thirty-three (33) comprised of twenty-four (24) Medical Officers, one (1) Psychologist, four (4) Dentists, one (1) Periodontist and three (3) Pharmacists. In addition, there are twenty-two (22) members of the Army Nursing Service. The number of medical personnel serving in Ireland is thirty (30). The number serving or assigned for...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was established by a Joint Action of the Council during Ireland's Presidency of the Union in 2004. The Agency was established "to support member States and the Council in their efforts to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". ...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Medical Requirements: Defence Forces Medical Requirements (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The report was scheduled for completion before the end of 2008. I have been disappointed that the schedule I outlined in the House has not been met. My officials, the Defence Forces and PA Consulting are aware of my view that this report should be completed quickly. At the same time, a focus should also be kept on ensuring that the report provides the blueprint for the sustainable provision...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Military authorities have informed me that 1,037 members were recruited to the Reserve Defence Force in 2008. 25 have been recruited to date in 2009. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan outlined a range of measures to improve the capabilities of the Reserve over the period to end 2009. All of the elements of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation plan were...

Written Answers — [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel: [i]Asgard II[/i] Replacement Vessel (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Board of Coiste an Asgard has initiated planning for the procurement of a vessel similar in design to Asgard II but with a steel hull. A steel hulled vessel is less expensive to build and maintain than a wooden vessel. It is not possible at this stage to give an estimated cost of building a new vessel other than to say that it would be substantial. It is only when tenders are received...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: This arises in the context of effective recruitment and of providing opportunities to enlisted personnel to obtain commissioned rank. I asked the Chief of Staff for his views on the prospect of facilitating suitably qualified enlisted personnel to compete internally for technical/professional posts in the officer ranks. An internal military board recently completed a review of recruitment to...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence (2000) covers the potential benefits of civilianisation and contracting out of certain military posts. It recognises that civilianisation could "..release personnel for operational duties for which they are specifically trained". It could release them "from essentially administrative and other tasks which can more appropriately be undertaken by civilians." The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: My Department will implement the 8% reduction in professional fees in line with the Government Decision of the 3rd of February, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009 and any other arrangements being introduced. The details of estimated cost savings are currently being considered by my Department.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation plan provides for a phased approach to enhancing the capabilities of the Reserve over the period to the end of 2009. The introduction of new RDF organisational structures, the development of new training syllabi, improved equipment and clothing have successfully been delivered as part of Phase 1 of the Implementation Plan. Phase 2 of the Plan...

Written Answers — [i]Asgard II[/i]: [i]Asgard II[/i] (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In so far as I am concerned, the question as to whether or not Asgard II could be raised is not an issue. The main factors that have to be considered are the likely cost of a salvage operation, the condition of the vessel after salvage and, if the vessel is capable of being restored, the cost of restoration. As the Deputy is aware, the board of An Coiste unanimously recommended to me that a...

Written Answers — Ombudsman for the Defence Forces: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 85 together. The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. On the 19th September 2005, Ms. Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn SC was appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Government, as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. She was re-appointed in September 2008 for a...