Results 8,641-8,660 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, which was brought to the attention of my Department in 2003. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that a passport application was received by the Passport Office in respect of the person in question on 25 November 2006. However, the documents provided by the applicant's mother as evidence of entitlement to...

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

Willie O'Dea: The Department of Defence owns and manages six Augusta Westland AW139 Helicopters and two Eurocopter EC135 P2 Helicopters. These helicopters are operated by the Air Corps for the Defence Forces. The helicopters were delivered, from the manufacturer, to the Air Corps on the following dates: Air Corps Tail No. Manufacturer & Type Delivery Date 270 Eurocopter/EC 135 P2 03/11/05 271...

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

Willie O'Dea: I can confirm that neither I nor my Department have had discussions with PDFORRA regarding a role that members of the Defence Forces may be asked to play in the event of industrial action. In this regard I would like to advise the Deputy that the deployment of military personnel is specifically excluded from the scope of representation in the Defence Forces, as enacted. The question of...

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

Willie O'Dea: A contract for the supply of twenty- seven (27) Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles to the Defence Forces was awarded to BAE Systems based in South Africa in December 2008. The contract followed from a detailed tender competition, which was initiated in May 2008, and which concluded in November 2008. The tender competition has allowed for the option to acquire up to another twenty-seven vehicles...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Approximately 140 staff from Longford Barracks were recently transferred to Custume Barracks, Athlone as a result of the announcement of barrack closures in the budget and the subsequent closure of Longford Barracks. The Military authorities have advised me that there are adequate facilities for all personnel assigned to the barracks. There are no immediate plans to move further personnel to...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Disability pensions payable to retired military personnel under the Army Pensions Acts are not comprehended by the definition of remuneration in section 1 of the recently-enacted Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and, accordingly, are not subject to the (pension-related) deduction provided for in section 2 of that Act.

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

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my 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. All staff, including senior officials and the Secretary General, will transfer to Newbridge under the...

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

Willie O'Dea: The following reviews have been completed and published in the past five years: 1. A review of Maintenance of Aircraft in the Air Corps was published in July 2006. 2. A review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces was published in September 2007. The Government decision of June 2006 broadened the Expenditure Review Initiative to include other policy reviews. Reviews under this...

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

Willie O'Dea: The costs incurred in 2008 on civilian doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and pharmacists who provided services to the Defence Forces are listed below: Amount paid â'¬ Doctors 1,670,124 Physiotherapists 452,096 Dentists 1,389,789 Pharmacy Services 492,919 I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad....

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

Willie O'Dea: There has been no increase in the number of principal officers or assistant principal officers in my Department since 1 September 2008, nor are there any plans to increase the numbers in these grades.