Results 8,921-8,940 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The increased retirement gratuity mentioned by the Deputy is one of a number of improvements in superannuation arrangements that were formally agreed with PDFORRA on 24 November 2008 under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Under the agreed arrangements, the increased retirement gratuity applies to qualified enlisted personnel who were serving...

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

Willie O'Dea: I have dealt fully with the facts of this case as recently as last week in my reply to parliamentary Question No. 435 (Ref. 40719/08). As I stated in that reply, I am satisfied that the matter was handled in an entirely appropriate and proper manner in 1969 and that the decision taken then was taken only after very detailed and due consideration. In the circumstances, I do not propose to...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together. The Reserve Defence Force is a part-time, voluntary organisation whose primary activity is training. Members are free to determine their own level of participation in Reserve activities and may resign from the Reserve at any time. Their service is provided entirely on a voluntary basis with no compulsion to attend. Members of the...

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

Willie O'Dea: The survey undertaken by the military authorities was conducted in order to identify the technical, mechanical and specialist skill sets available within the Reserve and the results have been recorded in a database compiled by the military authorities. This is part of the process in progressing the plan to allow for members of the Reserve to serve overseas. It is hoped that, in line with...

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

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an ongoing capital programme designed to modernize and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The provision of training facilities,...

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

Willie O'Dea: I am advised that there is a procurement programme in place to have all barracks or posts equipped with at least one defibrillator. The procurement programme is ongoing and I understand that at the moment, over half of military barracks/posts are equipped with defibrillators. In addition, all of the eight Naval Service ships are equipped with a defibrillator as are Air Corps aircraft, as...

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

Willie O'Dea: In cases where a member of the Defence Forces requires a refraction test for the purpose of determining his/her need for spectacles or contact lenses, the test is carried out either at St. Bricin's Hospital or by a local Optician, depending upon which is more convenient. In cases where an eye examination by an Ophthalmologist is required, appropriate referral to an Ophthalmologist is made by...

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

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) comprising approximately 12,000 personnel. This policy position has not changed. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan was formally launched in July 2004 and provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009. The plan set out the proposed...

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

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force as the strength sufficient to meet all foreseeable military requirements for the period comprehended by the White Paper (i.e. up to 2010). This remains the position. In common with other areas of the public service a payroll cut of 3% has been applied to the Defence Forces for...

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

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence. Significant investment has taken place in recent years across all facets and elements of the Defence Forces. This investment has been assisted by pay savings arising from the reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in the context of the White Paper of 2000,...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 210 together. There are twenty-three (23) females at senior officer level in the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 October 2008. This consists of twenty-two (22) at Commandant or equivalent rank and one (1) at Lieutenant-Colonel rank. A detailed breakdown of the strength by rank and gender of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are in the following...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In keeping with the commitments in the White Paper on Defence it is intended that the Defence Forces will continue to be modernised over the coming years. Any revenue accruing from the disposal of surplus Defence property will be used to finance equipment acquisition and infrastructure projects within the Defence Forces in accordance with Government policy.

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

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces receive ongoing training to enable them to participate fully in UN, EU and other missions overseas. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training, designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Predeployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated on an...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (26 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I would anticipate that the impact on local communities will be negligible for the simple reason that most of the personnel serving in these installations live in the areas and will continue to do so in the future. In point of fact, the economic impact of the closures could benefit the areas as the barracks are redeveloped. This was the experience of the last consolidation process where...

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

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces continue to make major contributions to international peace keeping through its participation in overseas Peace Support Operations (PSOs). In the course of these operations and based on the Defence Forces extensive experience many lessons have been identified and learned. Following all deployments overseas a detailed "After Action Review" is carried out by the Defence...

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 €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.