Results 9,781-9,800 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Estimate for 2008 provides for an average of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force personnel. In practice this means that the actual strength at any particular time may vary above or below that figure, depending on the rate of wastage and the timing of recruit intakes. The Estimate for 2008 provide for an increase of around 7%, one of the largest year on year increases for a number of...

Written Answers — National Memorials: National Memorials (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Memorial designed by Mr. Brian King is a pyramid shape made primarily of granite slabs resting on a steel frame interspaced with toughened glass panels. I understand that Mr. King chose the pyramid shape because of its historical references to burial and because he sees the shape as reflecting that of an "army tent". While its external symmetry is simple in form, on closer inspection...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Force Policy on Drug/Substance Abuse or Misuse is centred on the premise that the unlawful possession, supply or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. In October 2002 the Defence Forces introduced a Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme. Since 2002 6,455 tests have been conducted with 0.4% of tests yielding a positive result. In 2006...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The planning for the commemoration of Ireland's first peacekeeping mission is well under way. A Board was convened in September this year by order of the Chief of Staff to make recommendations on the best means to mark the anniversary. The Board is due to report to the Chief of Staff before the end of December with firm proposals. It is anticipated these will include a commemorative ceremony...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Alouette helicopters, originally delivered over forty years ago, were taken out of service in the Air Corps in September of this year. I am advised that six of these helicopters, with a stock of spare parts, will be disposed of by my Department in the New Year. The sale will be by open tender competition. At least one helicopter will be retained for display in the Air Corps Museum at...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: As part of their participation in peace support operations, the Defence Forces have traditionally adopted a number of small-scale humanitarian operations in support of the local communities where they are deployed. Recent examples of this are in Liberia and Kosovo. The main source of funding towards this humanitarian work comes in the form of a financial subvention from the Irish Aid...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the military authorities that the current establishment for fitters, known in military terms as technicians, is 255. At present, there are 165 trained technicians in the Defence Forces and 86 technicians undergoing training. Currently, there are 7 technicians deployed on overseas missions. There is no shortage of technicians at present for overseas units.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and the Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan is being implemented over the period to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The current strength of officers in the Permanent Defence Force is 1,359. Of these, 1,155 were commissioned through the Cadet School, 67 were commissioned from the Ranks (Potential Officer Course), and 137 were commissioned by Direct Entry Competition. Significant progress has been made recently in implementing schemes to enable more commissioning from the ranks. The revised cadetship...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: It is proposed to re-inaugurate the Oireachtas Consultation Group shortly. I will be writing to Party Leaders inviting them to nominate representatives to the Group. I hope to arrange a meeting of the new group towards the end of January 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have a Ministerial Office in Leinster House, as well as an office at the Department of Defence Headquarters at Parkgate, Infirmary Road. As Minister for Defence, I also attend at the various Defence locations around the country on a regular basis. Whilst I do not keep a log of attendance at my various Offices, I meet with my officials and military personnel on a regular basis in all of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, General Service Enlistment, Apprenticeship Competition or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. The number of applications received for the Cadetship Competition in 2006 and 2007 was 1,085 and 1,231 respectively. 55 Cadets were enlisted in 2006 and 48 were...

Written Answers — Court Proceedings: Court Proceedings (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 together. As this matter is still within the Judicial process the Deputy will appreciate that it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is divided into the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The First Line Reserve is comprised of former members of the Permanent Defence Force and there is no set establishment. The Army Reserve is organised along similar lines to the PDF, in three brigades and a Reserve Defence Force Training Authority. There is also a dedicated...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I can report that progress has been made in addressing skill shortages in the Naval Service. Eleven (11) Junior Operations Branch Officers have recently qualified and there are a further twenty six (26) junior officers and cadets in training. There are currently 30 General Service Recruits in training and another class is being enlisted on the 18 December. Progress has also been made to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel is the only military aerodrome in the State. It provides facilities for military aircraft training and operations. The latter include Fishery Protection Patrols, Ministerial Air Transport, Garda Air Support, Air Ambulance Missions etc. Following a review of the Department's Safety Policy regarding Casement Aerodrome in 1999 a revised policy statement was...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: To date ninety three (93) of the houses in the estate in question have been sold and it is hoped to dispose of the remaining seven (7) houses at the estate as soon as possible. The roads, footpaths, street lighting and other services at the estate will have to be brought up to the required standard before they will be taken in charge by Kildare County Council. In this regard, the condition...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: There have been no recorded incidents of injuries sustained by Defence Forces personnel due to friendly fire in the period from 1st January 2000 to today's date, 12th December 2007.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, as the strength sufficient to meet all foreseeable military requirements for the period comprehended by the White Paper (i.e. up to 2010). This remains the position. It is intended to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. The...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 169, 170 and 175 together. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces has been and continues to be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence and significant investment has taken place in recent years in this regard. The net result is that Defence Forces personnel serving both at home and on overseas missions are equipped with the most...