Results 9,301-9,320 of 12,635 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that there are a number of physical and medical standards laid down by the Military Authorities for entry to the Defence Forces. These requirements are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces. The Medical Corps...

Written Answers — Reserve Defence Force: Reserve Defence Force (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The yearly trend from April 2007 to April 2008 indicates a similar proportional decline in numbers for males and females in the Reserve. I have previously acknowledged the fact that numbers in the Reserve have decreased over recent years despite the significant improvements arising on foot of the implementation of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan. Steps to incentivise...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. On 31 May 2008, the most recent date for which figures are available, the actual total strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 10,364. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 118 and 140 together. 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 the transfer of Defence Force Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. Site acquisition, building construction and fit-out costs are borne...

Written Answers — Reserve Defence Force: Reserve Defence Force (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan provides for the re-organisation and development of the Reserve Defence Forces on a phased basis up to the end of 2009. The development of an Integrated Army Reserve is included in the Plan. A pilot scheme for the Integrated Reserve was run in 2007 and while numbers participating were small (180 completed training), very valuable lessons...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Expenditure: Defence Forces Expenditure (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Initial returns for 2007 indicate that the Defence Forces participated in 37 ceremonial events, including State Ceremonies, during 2007. The total number of personnel involved in all these ceremonies was approximately 6,200. My Department does not compile costs for such events as a matter of course and it has not been possible in the time available to compile the full costs including salaries...

Written Answers — Reserve Defence Force: Reserve Defence Force (2 Jul 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 is...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. This blueprint outlined a new Reserve with a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better equipment and training and opportunities for reservists to serve on overseas peace support missions. An Implementation Plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 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 — : (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Permanent Defence Forces receive many requests each year to participate in St. Patrick's Day parades throughout the country. Every effort is made to accede to each request as participation in the various parades highlights the community profile of the Permanent Defence Forces. The Defence Forces provided the following personnel and equipment for the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade in...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Construction work on the memorial in Merrion Square is at an advanced stage and I expect that all works on the site will be completed this month. The arrangements for the official unveiling of the memorial are currently being finalised with a view to an opening ceremony early in the Autumn.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I can clarify that there is no pilot project whereby military personnel visit first level and second level schools with a specific view to familiarising students on the activities carried out by the Defence Forces. Rather, there is ongoing contact between the Defence Forces and the secondary schools and third level institutions primarily with a recruitment focus. As I indicated in my reply...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 137 together. Significant progress has been made recently in commissioning from the ranks. The revised cadetship competition is now seen as the primary means of commissioning from the ranks. The cadetship competition has been revised to increase the maximum entry age to 28 and to award bonus marks to candidates with previous experience in the Permanent...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There are a number of educational programmes undertaken in the Defence Forces in relation to International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law. The military authorities advise that the position is as follows: Lectures are conducted by legal officers on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law on all basic officers courses in the Military College. In addition, a day-long seminar...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Female strength in the Permanent Defence Force has increased from 468 at the end of 2001 to 564 at the end of June 2008. This equates to a rise from 4.38% to 5.44% in overall strength in the same...

Written Answers — : (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It is always a great honour for me to participate in the commissioning ceremony for new officers of our Defence Forces. This was particularly so on the 19th of June at Casement Aerodrome where two ceremonies were held, commencing with the Commissioning of the 26th Air Corps Cadet Class which was followed by the Presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal, with Honour, posthumously to the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 239 together. As Minister for Defence I am delighted with the level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included: The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, inclusive of VAT. Two light utility EC 135 helicopters acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 231, 232 and 235 together. Ireland is currently contributing 816 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details, including ranks, of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the UN Mandated EU...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 20 on 10 April last. The Military authorities have informed my Department that the survey of Defence Forces accommodation had been completed and a report is being finalised at present. When this report has been considered, my Department, in consultation with the military authorities, will set appropriate standards to be applied across...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The matter to which the deputy is referring is the case of the killing of Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne, while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 1980 and the efforts to bring the alleged perpetrator of the crime to justice. The question of the measures open to the Irish Authorities to bring the alleged perpetrator of this crime to justice have...