Results 8,901-8,920 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea
- Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: 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 in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The Naval...
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: Defence Forces regulations require members to live in barracks unless they are given permission to live out. Over the years the practice has been for significant numbers of personnel to live out of barracks. As part of the Defence Forces modernisation programme, approximately â¬40 million has been spent since 1999 on refurbishing both long-term and short-term accommodation across the...
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: In the various contacts I have had with elements of the military and the representative organisations, this matter has never been drawn to my attention. Nobody has mentioned it or has written to me about it.
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I am assured by my Department that the military engineers who sourced and prepared these accommodation units are perfectly happy with them. They compare favourably with the accommodation our troops must occupy sometimes when they are overseas.
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I accept that is a different scenario but I have been asked by my Department to convey an invitation to the Deputy to visit the barracks and to examine the units. We can discuss the issue after he has seen them for himself.
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: Has the Deputy seen them?
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I invite the Minister to visit the barracks.
- Defence Forces Accommodation. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I will find that out for the Deputy. The matter has been brought to my attention by this parliamentary question. I do not have the information but I will get it to him and let him know.
- Reserve Defence Force. (26 Nov 2008)
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 plan. Phase 2 of the implementation plan...
- Reserve Defence Force. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I do not disagree with the Deputy about using the first line reserve if the integrated reserve concept does not work but, as he will be aware, the changes in the reserve were to take place over a number of phases. The first phase comprised additional training, radical changes in the organisational structure, additional equipment, changes in the gratuity system and so on. All those have been...
- Reserve Defence Force. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: Is the Deputy referring to the first line reserve?
- Reserve Defence Force. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: As the House will be aware, the implementation report made various recommendations about pay and conditions, recruitment, training and the relationship between the first line reserve and the Army reserve and Naval Service reserve. The military authorities had reservations about some of these recommendations, on which they are working. They will present me with their final recommendations as...
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: The Gulfstream IV entered MATS service in 1991 and has accumulated an average of 660 flying hours a year since then. It is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended overhaul and maintenance cycle. This is a practice common to all Air Corps aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing. Requisite inspections and checks are carried out at various specified intervals, depending...
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: It is important I clarify the situation for the benefit of the House. The immediate answer to the Deputy is that no major fault showed up, to the best of my knowledge. However, as the Deputy may be aware, there was an incident relating to the Government jet on its return from Tbilisi last week. While the aircraft was on the runway, one of the warning lights indicated an hydraulic fault....
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I do not know the normal number of flying hours ratcheted up during the lifetime of a jet. However, I know this jet has been put to maximum use. The wiring system and the hydraulics are under examination. I understand a replacement part is needed and that it is being fitted. For the benefit of the House, I repeat that there is routine maintenance of the aircraft in accordance with well...
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: I understand that, as does the Air Corps. I do not know if the Deputy is suggesting we acquire a new Government jet, which would beââ
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: That is being done.
- Ministerial Transport. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: It is usual to replace the interior once every five years, or seven years at the most. It has not been replaced since 1991. The cost of a new interior, as publicly announced, is approximately â¬3.5 million but we have managed to get away with spending â¬426,000 and still make it look new. We are doing everything possible to save money in the interests of the country.
- Defence Forces Equipment. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: Arising from an accident involving a troop carrying vehicle in Granard, County Longford in June 2007, a study group was formed to advise on the introduction of a roll-over protection system for troop carrying vehicles incorporating roll bars and safety belts. The total requirement identified by the study group included the fitting of the system to 135 trucks. The fleet is made up of four...
- Defence Forces Equipment. (26 Nov 2008)
Willie O'Dea: To give Deputy O'Shea an idea of what we are dealing with, the systems for safety of trucks are in the process of being developed. Many of them are at the research and development stage. There are a number of suppliers and we must deal with all of them. We must get the proper equipment for the particular type of truck. There are four different types of truck in the Army. I am sure...