Results 8,621-8,640 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. As at 31 January 2009, the number serving in the Army Reserve was 7,284 and the number serving in the Naval Service Reserve was 291. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blueprint for the RDF. An Implementation Plan has been developed to realise the White Paper vision and is being rolled out...

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

Willie O'Dea: The EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina — Operation "Althea" — was established in December 2004, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1575 of 22 November 2004, to replace the NATO-led Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR). Ireland has participated in EUFOR since December 2004, having previously been a participant in SFOR since 1997. The resolution...

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

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence provides for an allocation of up to 850 Permanent Defence Force personnel to be deployed overseas at any one time. While this may be exceeded for short periods, deployments above this level are not sustainable on an ongoing basis within existing resources. Any commitments to EU or UN missions will be met within this context. In common with other areas of the public...

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

Willie O'Dea: My Department supports the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the...

Marine Accidents. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The amount due in respect of the insurance payment for Asgard II is €3.8 million. As the Deputy will be aware, I have accepted the unanimous recommendation of the board of Coiste an Asgard not to proceed with a salvage operation. 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...

Marine Accidents. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I have not spoken personally to Captain Newport but I am aware of his comments. I want to take this opportunity to compliment him again on the wonderful job he did at the time the boat unfortunately sank in the Bay of Biscay. I am also aware of the crew's comments. My advice, however, is that despite those comments it was uncertain what condition the Asgard would be in if we salvaged it....

Marine Accidents. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to Deputy Deenihan's last question is that the vessel is still owned by the Department of Defence. As regards giving a salvage opportunity to others, I already said in my initial announcement that a number of people have been in touch with my Department and have written to newspapers to say they would be willing to make a contribution towards salvaging the Asgard. I intend to put...

Marine Accidents. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government still owns the boat.

Overseas Missions. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 47 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 personnel. The aim of...

Overseas Missions. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As I indicated in my reply, it was felt that the issue of the arrest warrant against the Sudanese President, al-Bashir, would result in a renewed effort on the part of the Sudanese Government to further support the rebels attacking Chad and trying to undermine the Chadian regime. There is no evidence that this has happened to date. If it were to happen, it would have profound consequences,...

Overseas Missions. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I was not aware of the news concerning the American embassy in Sudan. I must point out to the Deputy the peacekeeping force is in Chad. I agree there is the possibility that, if the Sudan disintegrates or intensifies its support for the rebel groups, more refugees will be created. We do not know how many and over what a timescale. The situation is, however, being constantly monitored. The...

Overseas Missions. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: There are a number of aspects to this matter. The increase in the price of oil last year enabled the Government of Chad to build up its defence assets. In that context, it has acquired a number of substantial air assets and also appears to have improved its military capabilities. The Government of Chad has placed troops in an area adjacent to the Sudanese border in order to prevent rebel...

Army Barracks. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The position is unchanged since I previously addressed this issue in reply to Question No. 111 of 4 February 2009. Some 20 containerised accommodation units have been provided for temporary accommodation for third level students at Cathal Brugha Barracks. These units consist of en suite accommodation and are fully furnished and heated. The military authorities advise that the units are...

Army Barracks. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As already stated, the officers who are pursuing their studies and who are accommodated in these containers were originally based further afield and were being transported to college by bus. These individuals wanted to be based closer to college and were given the choice to move to their current accommodation. I accept that it is not an ideal situation. Nevertheless, we must consider the...

Army Barracks. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I reiterate that the official costing relating to the refurbishment of C house is €1.6 million. I have an idea with regard to the cost of the temporary accommodation, but I do not have a precise figure. I would not like to be misquoted in that regard.

Army Barracks. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I will provide the Deputy with the precise figure so that there will be no confusion. The Army did not ask anyone to occupy containers. The officers in question decided it would be better for them to be accommodated nearer to the college at which they are studying. They were informed that accommodation such as that available at Gormanstown or the Curragh would not be available and that...

Departmental Reports. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am pleased to dispel any confusion that might exist with regard to the review of the Defence Forces medical services currently being completed by PA Consulting. The normal process for consultancy of this nature is being followed. The consultants are formulating proposals based on an analysis of data and from their interviews and meetings with the various stakeholders. In the normal...

Departmental Reports. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Deenihan is correct that the establishment is 46 but the number of doctors employed in the Army at present is 24. That is not to say the Army is only getting half the medical attention it requires. The lacuna is made up by employing private medical practitioners. Successive Ministers have made valiant efforts over the years to ensure the medical corps reaches its establishment...

Departmental Reports. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Deenihan asked that question previously and I communicated the figure to him, as far as I can recall. I do not have it with me as I did not anticipate him asking the question again. I will make it available to him.

Departmental Reports. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: No, we have already examined that, as did successive Ministers. This is a problem that has bedevilled the Army for years through successive Administrations. None of us has managed to sort it out. Consider the number of doctors retiring over the years and the number we can get to replace them. Of the 24 doctors we have at present, eight of them are foreign nationals. There is nothing...