Results 8,661-8,680 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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...

Defence Forces Operations. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, ATCP, assist the Garda as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of An Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. The explosive ordnance disposal, EOD, team responds when a...

Defence Forces Operations. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Not to put too fine a point on it, I agree with Deputy O'Shea that the recent trend has been quite alarming. In 2006, there were 101 call-outs, eight of which were hoaxes. The figures for 2007 were 98 and 11, respectively. In 2008, there were 180 call-outs, 58 of which turned out to be hoaxes. I have the up-to-date figures to 5 March. There were 32 call-outs, which seems to be a repeat...

Defence Forces Operations. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with Deputy O'Shea that there seems to be a pattern emerging. I have spoken about the matter on a number of occasions with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and I will discuss it with him again on foot of this discussion. I do not have the information about arrests, apprehensions and prosecutions but I will ascertain it and let Deputy O'Shea know.

Constitutional Amendments. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Lisbon treaty will have no impact on the organisation, structure or roles of the Defence Forces. National security will continue to remain the sole responsibility of each member state. In addition, the treaty will not have any impact on Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Any decision by Ireland to participate in EU-led military crisis management operations will be for...

Constitutional Amendments. (10 Mar 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I accept Deputy Deenihan's point. People were led to believe, and some people unfortunately did believe, during the recent referendum campaign that no sooner would the ink be dry on the Lisbon treaty if it was passed than a press gang would arrive in the early hours of the morning to conscript everybody's sons and daughters from one end of the country to the other into a non-existent...