Results 8,881-8,900 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Air Ambulance Service: Air Ambulance Service (2 Dec 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A Service Level Agreement between my Department and the Department of Health and Children for the provision of an Air Ambulance Service by the Air Corps was signed in September 2005 to formalise the arrangements for the existing service in relation to the provision of an air ambulance service. The signatories to the agreement are the Department of Health and Children, the Department of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (27 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The appointments referred to have not yet been made. There were a total of two (2) sergeants and seven (7) corporals who applied and competed for the positions. Three (3) candidates have been sent for medical reclassification in order to fill these appointments. The promotions will take place shortly when this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (27 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below. Year Barracks & Location Amount € 1998 — Nil 1999 — Nil 2000 — Nil 2001 Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, Cork 973,889 2002 Devoy Barracks, Naas, Co Kildare 9,271,597 Castleblayney Barracks, Monaghan 763,698 2003 Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Cork (Lot 1) 41,010,599 Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Cork...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 108 together. The organisational changes, enhancements to clothing, equipment, training and the piloting of the integrated reserve, all delivered as part of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, have significantly improved Reserve Defence Force capabilities. It was intended, as part of the plan, that these improvements in capability...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Representative Associations: Defence Forces Representative Associations (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I am pleased to have an opportunity to clarify this matter. Representation in the Defence Forces was established under the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990. The Act sets out the scope of representation and the purpose for which Representative Associations are established. The legal and regulatory provisions surrounding representation in the Defence Forces are particular to the Defence Forces....

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established in 1993 as a Government measure to improve law...

Written Answers — Random Drug Testing Programmes: Random Drug Testing Programmes (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Force policy on drug and substance abuse or misuse is centered on the premise that the unlawful possession, supply or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. In October 2002 the Defence Forces introduced a Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme. Since then, 8,422 tests have been conducted with 34 tests yielding a positive result (0.4%)....

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 134 together. After the seizure of 1.5 tonnes of cocaine at Dunlough Bay in July 2007 the Naval Member of the Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was asked to assist the Garda Síochána in the maritime phase of their investigations. He completed a survey on the RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) used in the attempted importation of the drugs and in...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 102, 114, 126 and 129 together. 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), was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. A total of 400 Defence Forces personnel are...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The use and storage of military equipment etc. is an operational matter for the Defence Forces. The military authorities have advised that it is not possible to give a detailed breakdown of storage of equipment due to the extensive effort involved in compiling the information required in the time available.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The 2008 Defence Estimate included an increased provision in respect of additional medical costs related to the initial deployment by the Defence Forces to the EUFOR Chad mission. The reduction in the 2009 Estimate is due to the fact that such additional costs will not arise in 2009.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 93, 98 and 111 together. To date in 2008, a total of 507 recruits have been enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force. 441 were recruited to the Army and 66 to the Naval Service. In addition, 41 cadets commenced their cadet training in September, 2008. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of...

Written Answers — Ombudsman for the Defence Forces: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: 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. Her term of office was recently extended for a further three years from 19th September 2008. The...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Nov 2008)

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. The number of posts to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil service posts together with 43...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 112 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 strategy...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are aware of the existence of a capability to use computer technology for offensive operations. This capability is not being developed by the Defence Forces. The use of current technology is concentrated on Information and Communications, both domestic and overseas, and the management of internal administrative systems. There has been no discussion between myself and the...

Written Answers — National Security: National Security (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 103 together. Cyber security, cyber crime and internet security represent challenges that are constantly evolving and require vigilance and appropriate responses. Cyber security is multi facetted. The nature of the threat and the potential impact also varies considerably depending on the approach and objective of those with malicious intent. In the...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 100, 122 and 212 together. Ireland is currently contributing 736 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the table. While personnel from all services are liable for and do serve overseas, as a matter of policy Air Corps and Naval assets are not deployed...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with other Government Departments, the Administrative Budget arrangements for my Department apply only to subheads A1 to A8 of the Defence Vote. However, a substantial amount of day-to-day Defence Forces' expenditure is delegated to the Chief of Staff. The detailed information requested by the Deputy on appointments and promotions is not readily available. The information will be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve Capabilities over the period to end 2009. To date there have been significant changes and the Reserve is now organised along similar lines to the PDF with three brigades and a dedicated Naval Service Reserve. There have been significant improvements to clothing, equipment and training. A pilot...