Results 9,801-9,820 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: A claim to increase the mandatory retirement age to 60 years for officers serving in ranks up to and including Lieutenant Colonel was received from the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The claim has been the subject of correspondence between the Department and the Representative...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I would like to assure the House that any allegations of victimisation in the Defence Forces are treated with the utmost seriousness and there are extensive and robust complaints and grievance procedure processes in place to protect the rights of all Defence Forces personnel, including PDFORRA officials. In addition, on interpersonal relationships, the Defence Forces and the Department have...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 80 together. 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 my intention to maintain the established Government...

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

Willie O'Dea: Following Government approval to go to tender, notice of a competition for the purchase of replacement vessels for the Naval Service was sent to the Official Journal of the European Union on 24 August 2007. The competition for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels, with an option on a third and one Extended Patrol Vessel, with an option on a second, uses a Restricted Procurement...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 94 together. Following a Road Traffic Accident involving a military vehicle near Granard in June of this year, the Defence Forces established a Study Group to examine the possible introduction of Roll Over Protection Systems in Troop Carrying Vehicles. The Group was asked to consider the implications of a number of matters that could arise from the...

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

Willie O'Dea: The appointments of Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), and Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) are governed by the provisions of Section 12 of the Defence Act 1954 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act 1998. The Chief of Staff is appointed by the President. My Department prepares a Memorandum for Government whereby I recommend that the Government advise the President as to...

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

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 — Military Medals: Military Medals (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Of some 670 enquiries made to date, my Department has received 512 completed application forms for Medal certificates in respect of Veterans of the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. Following examination, entitlement to certificates has been established in 374 cases, resulting in the issue of a total of 1,156 certificates in both official languages. Certificates are being issued on...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces is proactive in the development and promotion of the Irish language. The following measures have been taken in this regard: An Chomhairle Gaeilge ( Irish Language Council) was established in 2003; The Defence Forces Official Languages Policy in the form of an Administrative Instruction was launched in 2004; Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann (Defence Forces Scheme) under the...

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

Willie O'Dea: Discussions between my Department and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) commenced in April 2006, on revised promotion arrangements for Non-commissioned Officers have been ongoing for some time. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: On 27 November 2007, I addressed the Biennial Delegate Conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO). I sought to make my address relevant, positive and informative and I discussed topics of interest to the military delegates, their colleagues and to the wider community. The topics included amongst other things the Government's commitment to the continued...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces and the Department have taken a wide variety of initiatives and have devoted extensive resources to this issue, since Dr Eileen Doyle and the External Advisory Committee presented their original report "The Challenge of a Workplace" in March 2002. This independent report addressed the entire range of interpersonal issues within the Defence Forces. Its contents and...

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

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the military authorities that the ratio of commissioned officers to non-officers in the Defence Forces over the past ten years is as shown in the table. Year Ratio 1996 1 : 7.33 1997 1 : 7.45 1998 1 : 7.64 1999 1 : 7.74 2000 1 : 7.49 2001 1 : 7.47 2002 1 : 7.31 2003 1 : 7.06 2004 1 : 6.90 2005 1 : 6.75 2006 1 : 6.43 Nov 2007 1 : 6.64 My Department does not...

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

Willie O'Dea: Details on the average ages, by rank, have been maintained on an annualised basis since 2001. The table provides the details for Officers and Enlisted Personnel. Average Age by Rank in the PDF as at 31 December 2001 and 6 December 2007 Officers Rank 2001 2007 Increase/ Decrease (years) Lieutenant General 60.88 60.62 -0.24 Major General 58.66 60.11 1.45 Brigadier General 58.20 57.49...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: A request to provide crèche facilities for members of the Defence Forces has been made by the Defence Forces Representative Associations. The Defence Forces Partnership Steering Group, which was established following on from Partnership 2000, has tasked a Partnership Sub-Committee with examining the issue of the provision of childcare facilities under a number of headings, including demand...

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...