Results 9,141-9,160 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Army Barracks. (22 Oct 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 and imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barracks management, administration, maintenance and...

Army Barracks. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: While I have not received an exact figure, I am advised that substantial cost savings will be achieved through the closures. Payments will reduce in respect of barrack guard duties, storage, utility costs, maintenance, heating and lighting etc. As I indicated, however, the main driver for the decision was that the Army was too widely dispersed over too many barracks, particularly in light...

Army Barracks. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It is advisable, when taking steps of this nature, to set a target date. Clearly if the process is not completed by the target date of 31 January 2009, it will be completed at a later date. However, I am assured by the military that it will be able to meet the date.

Army Barracks. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In so far as doing a U-turn is concerned, I note Deputy Deenihan's initial statement on the matter did not oppose the closure of the barracks. I do not know whether he supports or opposes the decision in principle. I am aware, however, that Deputy Bannon is opposed to the closures as he has tabled a motion requesting that I reverse the decision to close Connolly barracks. On the other...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Military medical services and their facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training. A key issue in the provision of medical services to the Defence...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In reply to the various points made by Deputy O'Shea, it is true that more people have left since 2000 than we have managed to recruit. However, it is not true to say that the medical service is in a state of collapse because, as Deputy O'Shea and the House will be aware, where we cannot provide medical service within the Army, we engage outside medical services. We have done our best to...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There may be merit in that. Obviously, we will be doing something about the situation as soon as we have the consultants' report. We will not be bound precisely by what they say. Other useful suggestions will be taken on board too and I will bear that one in mind.

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The issue of the required air transport for the Defence Forces contingent deploying to Chad was considered in detail as part of the planning process for the deployment. A detailed review of the requirements was conducted by the military authorities as is normal in any case of overseas peace support operations. I requested and received the requisite assurances from the Chief of Staff in...

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: To address Deputy Deenihan's last point first, I understand the helicopters were released on 13 June last until next April. We still do not know the final cost, but it will be in the region of €3 million.

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: To deal with the Deputy's first two points, I accept there is a problem. Let me emphasise that there is no question about the safety of these helicopters. It is a question of the air operation certificate, which covers what these helicopters are supposed to do — there is a question as to whether they could carry personnel. The better view is that they cannot, and they are not allowed to...

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: They can be used for that. Their licence covers them for medical evacuation in emergencies.

Overseas Missions. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: That was in the second part of my answer which I did not have time to deliver. A request came in from operational headquarters to supply a platoon sized contingent of approximately 30 troops to provide protection for force headquarters in Abéché. I am not aware that request was actually refused. It was considered. The people considering the request have to take many things into account...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy will be aware, on 11 September 2008, the national sail training vessel, Asgard II, sank in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France. The Asgard II was on a cruise from Falmouth in the UK to La Rochelle. On board were five crew and 20 trainees. All crew and trainees were evacuated successfully and are safe and well. The decision to abandon the vessel and take to the life...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As Deputy O'Shea rightly recognises, we will not know the precise cause of the accident until the Marine Casualty Investigation Board concludes its investigation. I assure the House that when it does, I will have no difficulty publishing its report. In regard to Deputy O'Shea's second question, Coiste an Asgard is considering a number of possibilities for replacement. It has not yet...

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The investigating body is the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. Naturally, it must talk to the French authorities and the French life board service, in particular. I understand that nobody other than the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is directly involved in the investigation. It has primary responsibility for the investigation.

Sail Training Vessel. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I cannot answer that question exactly but I understand the underwater survey was commissioned by Coiste an Asgard. I do not know who it got to do it but I can get that information for the Deputy.

Toxic Waste. (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Following concerns arising in regard to work undertaken on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, at the ISPAT site, as a purely precautionary measure, I directed that an independent investigation of any potential health issues arising at the naval base in Haulbowline be undertaken. An independent environmental health and safety assessment...

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2008)

Willie O'Dea: He is a legend in his own mind.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 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 comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. Given the extensive effort...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reports: Defence Forces Reports (21 Oct 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 extended for a further three years from 19th September 2008. The function of...