Results 9,401-9,420 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: All Army Officers, on commissioning after completion of Cadet Training, who meet the academic entry requirements for third level education, and who do not already hold a Level 7 Qualification, are eligible to participate in the USAC Scheme. The USAC Scheme permits such newly commissioned Officers to attend university on a full time basis as undergraduates for 3-4 years and to complete a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Seven (7) females have been enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force to-date during 2008 out of a total intake of 169. It is not possible to project the number of females who might apply to enter the Defence Forces and who might succeed in that application. However, based on previous years, this figure might be expected to rise to fifty-five (55) by year end. A detailed breakdown of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009. Revised organisation structures came into effect in October 2005. The Reserve has been re-organised along similar lines to the PDF with three brigades, a...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: On 24 April 2008, I met with Mr. Norbert Darabos, the Austrian Minister of Defence in Vienna. I was accompanied in the talks by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Michael Howard; the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt Gen Dermot Earley; Assistant Secretary General, Ciaran Murphy; and Mr Frank Cogan, Irish Ambassador to Vienna. A number of issues were discussed at our...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: During my visit to Kosovo on 23rd April 2008, I visited the Irish Troops based there. I was given a comprehensive briefing by Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty, Commander Multinational Task Force (Centre). I also had meetings with: Mr. Colm Ó Conaill, Political Adviser; Mr. Joachim Rücker, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (UNSRSG), and Head of the UN...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces is being prepared and will be carried out later in the year. The campaign is likely to include advertising in print, broadcast media and via the Internet. A Request for Tender issued in March 2008 and seven tenders have been received. The...

Written Answers — Air Corps Equipment: Air Corps Equipment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: 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 of €12.8m, inclusive of VAT. Six utility AW 139...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that the day to day administration of recruitment in the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. I am informed by the military authorities that the Army Equitation School has an establishment of thirty-four (34) other ranks and vacancies presently exist for two (2) Non-Commissioned Officers and ten (10) Privates (Grooms). The 2008 recruitment process is...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The ongoing investment in modern equipment and facilities for the Defence Forces will continue in 2008, as will the major programme to provide modern accommodation for the Defence Forces, which has been ongoing over recent years. From the Army's perspective the major investment has been in the contracts for Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers. In the period from 2001 to 2007 the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Monitoring Group's report, "Response to the Challenge of a Workplace", a review group was established in February this year to review progress within the Defence Forces on the implementation of the recommendations of the original Doyle Report. The group is working under the chairmanship of Dr. Doyle and includes representatives of...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have had no specific discussions with the Department of Education and Science regarding the Defence Forces visiting schools. Defence Forces recruitment teams, on occasion, visit schools and third level institutions to provide briefings. These briefings include an explanation of the peacekeeping role of the Defence Forces throughout the world. The briefings also outline the Defence...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, or Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONET) has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. ONET is dedicated to looking after the welfare of all ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. A main objective of ONET is to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and women by...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., announced in the context of the 90th Anniversary celebrations of 1916 that the Government had decided to make the Military Pension Archive, covering the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence, available to historians and to the public. It is the intention of the Government that the records will be made available in good time for the 100th anniversary of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In response to the Deputy's questions I wish to state that ministerial cars are driven by members of An Garda Siochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under Section 62 of the Roads Act 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A claim for the payment of Instructors allowance to qualified MT Instructors with the Transport Company, Collins Barracks, Cork was received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme (C&A Scheme) for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The claim is the subject of correspondence between the Department...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: On the issue of training, I am very satisfied that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government under the White Paper on Defence of February 2000. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Security Escorts: Defence Forces Security Escorts (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Following a detailed formal agreement with the Irish Bankers Federation, which was signed on 11 May 2005, the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of cash escorts. Costs in respect of each 12 month period to end-December, are paid the following year on or before the 1st June. This is to allow for the compilation of returns from the brigades and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As of 20 May 2008, a total of 792 members of the Permanent Defence Force are serving overseas. Of the 792 currently serving overseas, 13 are Air Corps personnel and 4 are members of the Naval Service. When full deployment to Chad is completed on 1 June 2008 a further 10 members of the Air Corps and 16 members of the Naval Service will have been deployed overseas. No Air Corps or Naval...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: With regard to Ireland's participation in future Battlegroups, we are committed in principle to participation in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG) which will stand up again in 2011. Other contributors to the Nordic Battlegroup are Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. Informal discussions have also taken place between staff in the Department of Defence and...

Written Answers — Coastal Surveillance: Coastal Surveillance (22 May 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...