Results 9,361-9,380 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Common Defence and Security Policy: Common Defence and Security Policy (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The provision on common defence in the Lisbon Treaty largely carries forward the existing Treaty provision on the possibility of the development of an EU common defence. The term is not further defined in the Treaties. However, any decision to move to a common defence would have to be taken by unanimity, providing Ireland with the right to veto any such proposal. There is currently no...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was set up in 2004 during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. Its mission is "to support the Member States in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". Ireland participates in the framework of the Agency and is...

Written Answers — European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (29 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The European Defence Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004 "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". The EDA is an Agency of the European Union....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is a comprehensive range of national and EU legislation dealing with employment rights and protection of employees. Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) are not "employees" or "workers" in the generally accepted meaning of those terms. The Defence Acts 1954 to 2007 prescribe that the Defence Forces shall consist of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and a Reserve Defence Force....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Members of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) who are injured in the course of their duties may apply for compensation under a non-statutory compensation scheme administered by my Department. Typically, this would cover injuries sustained on official duty while participating in annual camp, field days, overnights, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Compensation is payable under...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of civil servants in my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal or higher is set out in the following table: Grade No. of Full-Time Staff No. of Part Time Staff Secretary General 1 0 Assistant Secretary 2 0 Head of Corporate Services 1 0 Principal Officers 9 4 Professional Accountant 1 0 Assistant Principal 38 0 The Professional Accountant and 1 Assistant Principal...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 11, 16, 23, 40, 44, 50, 232 and 235 together. Preparations for the deployment of the 97th Infantry Battalion to the UN mandated European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic are being implemented in a series of carefully planned phases. To date preparations are on schedule. A total of 394 members of the Permanent Defence...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Of the 394 personnel who are there at present, a total of 28 have been mandatorily selected. The military authorities have their own procedure for mandatory selection. While I am not immediately familiar with it, I can get details of it for the Deputy. I am told the system has been in place literally since the foundation of the State. However, I understand that someone who is mandatorily...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Deenihan has asked three questions. As for parcels, the primary purpose of the resupply flights will be to supply appropriate provisions and equipment and other necessities for the troops. The military authorities have advised me that they may be able to make some provision for parcels at Christmas. I will certainly communicate Deputy Deenihan's sentiments to the military. I share...

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I note Deputy Wall's remarks on the huge amount of organisation and effort that has gone into putting this mission together and I thank him for them. I will convey his sentiments to the Chief of Staff. Regarding family concerns, access to families, parcels and so on, I have already undertaken, in reply to a number of questions from Deputy Deenihan, to do what I can to provide assistance....

Overseas Missions. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have already told Deputy Deenihan that the military is considering whether a helicopter should be placed permanently at Goz Beida. I will not try to second-guess the military as I am not a military expert, but I have been assured that if it is decided that it is necessary for the safety of Irish troops that a helicopter be located at Goz Beida, a helicopter will be located there. With...

National Emergency Plan. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 13 and 28 together. On Monday 14 April 2008, the public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning was launched at the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre. The main focus of the campaign was the publication and country-wide distribution of a handbook entitled Preparing for Major Emergencies. To coincide with the launch of the campaign, a...

National Emergency Plan. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is a slight misunderstanding here. No booklets were printed in Russian, Polish or Chinese. The information was made available in these languages on the website.

National Emergency Plan. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy asked about local radio. We deliberately chose to advertise in the print media, both local and national newspapers, on local and national radio and on billboards throughout the country. Television advertising is extremely expensive, and we are trying to keep costs down. The total cost of the campaign was slightly more than €2 million, of which about 25% went on advertising. I...

National Emergency Plan. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I apologise to the Deputy for misunderstanding, but I accept his point. It is a useful suggestion that I will discuss with the Ceann Comhairle.

Civil Defence. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Civil Defence Board was established in 2003. The board produces a strategic plan every three years, the most recent of which, covering the period 2007-10, was launched by me last September. Copies of the plan have been laid before the House. The strategies identified by the board for the management and development of the Civil Defence place a high priority on the organisation's...

Civil Defence. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Deputy Wall for his remarks regarding the Civil Defence and I will pass on his compliments. I am sorry to learn of the specific case and that people could not engage in a rescue mission because they did not have a licence to operate the boat. I will get an answer for the Deputy.

Civil Defence. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: If the Deputy gives me specific details, I will follow up on the matter.

Defence Forces Medical Services. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of medical staff within the Defence Forces is 31, comprising 22 medical officers-doctors, four dentists, one periodontist and four pharmacists. In addition, there are 24 members of the Army nursing service. The key resource issue in the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces is the acknowledged shortage of doctors in the Medical Corps. While the establishment for...

Defence Forces Medical Services. (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Army personnel who require medical service will receive it. We do not have sufficient numbers of doctors in the Army, but we make up for this shortage by bringing them in from outside.