Results 9,021-9,040 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to consultants is set out in the following table. Year Name of Consultancy firm Work Carried Out Cost € 1999 – 04 Brady, Shipman, Martin Drawing up of an integrated Area Action Plan for Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Cork 128,902 1999 – 05 Sir Frederick Snow & Partners Ltd. Review of policy in relation to Casement Aerodrome,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. In addition, I wish to state that none of the people named below are elected to city, county, town or borough councils or are members of State Boards. Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O'Dea, T.D. Staff appointed by me who are located in my Department Name Rank/Responsibility Salary Scale as at 01/09/2008 Derek Mooney...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Interviews to fill these vacancies were held from the 15 – 17 January 2008. The military authorities have informed me that the report of the Selection Board has been the subject of correspondence since then, within the Defence Forces, relating to the procedures applied. I also understand that the candidates were to be kept informed of developments. The Chief of Staff has accepted that...

Written Answers — National Security: National Security (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of threats to and vulnerabilities of ICT systems is a matter for each individual Department/Office and its Minister as appropriate. Insofar as my Department and the Defence Forces are concerned, there is a programme of continuous review of ICT security, overseen by designated specialist groupings, in order to keep up to date with current threat levels. Policies and guidelines are...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I welcome the opportunity to clarify for the Deputy the situation on the sale of the Dauphin helicopters following the Sunday Tribune article on 9 November 2008. In 2005, the General Officer Commanding Air Corps recommended the sale of four Dauphin helicopters. The Dauphins being over twenty years old needed significant maintenance and the investment required in the aircraft was considered...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that 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...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The brutal and callous murder of Shane Geoghegan has horrified and appalled every right thinking person across the country, but especially in Limerick. Our city has had to endure several cruel and horrific incidents perpetrated by a small number of people who continue to show contempt for the value of human life. Shane's killing and the pain this has inflicted on his family, friends and...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (12 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (12 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. The role does not extend to general policing which falls solely within the remit of An Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (12 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 to 246, inclusive, together. The annual maintenance costs for Rockhill and Lifford army barracks amount to approximately € 130,000 for 2007. This covers maintenance to buildings such as general repairs, painting and decorating. A further €160,000 approximately is spent on annual running costs such as gas, electricity, heating oil water and waste...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (12 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Interviews to fill these vacancies were held from the 15 — 17 January 2008. The military authorities have informed me that the report of the Selection Board has been the subject of correspondence since then, within the Defence Forces, relating to the procedures applied. I also understand that the candidates were to be kept informed of developments. The Chief of Staff has accepted that...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I would hope that Asgard II could be successfully salvaged and restored so that she can continue to carry out the sail-training role that she has performed with distinction at home and abroad for the past 27 years. We are working closely with the insurers, Allianz, on the question of salvage and they are in the process of examining tenders in this regard at the moment. As soon as the outcome...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The main requirement for legal services in my Department is in the context of administrative law litigation (usually in the form of judicial review proceedings) and in personal injury proceedings. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor provides the Department's legal services in respect of administrative law cases and all non-delegated personal injury cases. The management of all other the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an on-going capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects such as the refurbishment of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings where required. It is not possible...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: All personnel who retired in each of the past three years were paid the standard civil service gratuity and pension. Details of the gratuities paid in each of those years are contained in the following table: Year Total Paid in Severance Packages Number of retiring staff members â'¬ 2005 731,236.13 10 2006 533,938.28 5 2007 594,580.64 10 In addition, retiring staff members also...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is engaged in an on-going capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects such as the refurbishment of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings where required. I have been advised...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The public procurement rules do not specify the number of copies of tender documents to be submitted but they do permit contracting authorities to require the submission of tenders solely by electronic means. The national public procurement website, www.etenders.gov.ie, known as e-tenders and provided by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit of the Department of Finance, has a facility...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together. I wish to state that while I do use public transport on occasions no costs have been incurred by me for the use of public transport on official business since I took office. In relation to my officials, the amount paid in respect of the use of bus and rail transport while on official business, since 2007, is €25,493.15. This figure...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Nov 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is decentralising to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and Defence Force Headquarters to the Curragh, Co. Kildare. Site acquisition and building construction costs are borne on the Vote for the Office of Public Works. No costs have been incurred by my Department to date in relation to either of these projects.