Results 9,921-9,940 of 12,632 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (11 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting official air travel, I understand that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is in the process of developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and the bodies under their aegis. Details of the scheme are expected to be announced shortly.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (11 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: All databases in my Department and the Defence Forces are protected by anti-virus software, filters, password authentication and firewalls, which are constantly updated and operate within a closed network. I am satisfied that this affords the highest levels of protection for personal information and all sensitive data.

Written Answers — Hearing Impairment Claims: Hearing Impairment Claims (11 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: To avoid any confusion I should clarify that all hearing loss claims were initiated as personal injury actions in the civil courts and there was no statutory Army deafness compensation scheme. The so-called "Early Settlement Scheme" (ESS) was an administrative process used to negotiate early settlements in hearing loss cases where liability was not contested. The ESS process was introduced...

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department commenced the process of rolling out the Management Information Framework system in the Department and throughout the Defence Forces in January 2006 with the implementation of the financial and inventory management modules. Interfaces to and from human resources and payroll applications were also developed in that context. The core financial management system is currently...

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Management Information Framework (MIF) project aims at ensuring more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounts; better decision-making about the allocation of resources; more efficient and effective management of resources once allocated; and greater transparency in, and accountability for, the use of resources. While the implementation of the new system has resulted in...

Written Answers — Departmental Meetings: Departmental Meetings (6 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together. The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) of my Department comprises the Secretary General, the Department's two Assistant Secretaries and the Head of Corporate Services. Other officers of the Department attend meetings for particular agenda items e.g. the Human Resources Manager attends when H.R. issues are under discussion. Subject to the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (6 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My office in the Department includes a Special Advisor, a Press Advisor, a Personal Assistant and a Personal Secretary, none of whom are part of the permanent Civil Service staff. There are also ten civil servants assigned to my Constituency and Private offices. Two civil servants are attached to the Minister of State's office.

Written Answers — Reserve Defences Forces: Reserve Defences Forces (6 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities have advised me that there are three Medical Companies within the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) as outlined below: Medical Company Formation Officers Non-Commissioned Officers Privates Total 62 LSB 2 Eastern Brigade RDF 12 28 36 76 31 LSB 1 Southern Brigade RDF 5 29 85 119 54 LSB 4 Western Brigade RDF 4 19 37 60 Total 21 76 158 255

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (6 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: On 20 November 2007, the Government authorised the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the UN mandated EU operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic, known as EUFOR TCHAD/RCA. Dáil Éireann approved the necessary enabling motion on 28 November 2007. Medical units deployed as part of Irish contingents on overseas missions are...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (6 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Policy in relation to Ireland's diplomatic relations with other countries is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Sudan and Chad during November 2007. In both countries, he outlined Ireland's expected role in the UN-mandated EUFOR Tchad/RCA mission and our commitment to the humanitarian objectives of that mission. I have been advised by the...

Written Answers — Video Conferencing Facilities: Video Conferencing Facilities (5 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department and the Defence Forces have been using video conferencing facilities for a number of years to improve communications and efficiency. Facilities are installed and available to staff in all Departmental buildings, in Defence Forces Headquarters and at each Brigade Headquarters. They are used, on a regular basis, to link personnel in Ireland and abroad. Videoconference...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The number of staff in my Department that are in receipt of tax saver commuter tickets in 2007 is 109 (68 Military staff and 41 Departmental staff).

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (5 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. Waste is collected by waste disposal companies from my Department's offices in Dublin, Galway and Roscrea. The waste is separated and recycled where possible. In addition to routine waste collection, from time to time, obsolete electronic equipment and shredded waste paper are disposed of for recycling. As the companies in question do...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Annual Report of the Department of Defence and Defence Forces for 2006 was published in July 2007. Among the significant developments that took place in 2006 and which are detailed in the Report were: All ATCP (Aid to the Civil Power) and ACA (Aid to the Civil Authority) requests were met. We continued to meet Ireland's international commitments with a total of 828 Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Appeals: Defence Forces Appeals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have been advised by the military authorities that an appeal has been made to the relevant military authority in this matter on the 21 November 2007 and, as a consequence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Appeals: Defence Forces Appeals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have been advised by the military authorities that an appeal has been made to the relevant military authority in this matter on the 21 November 2007 and, as a consequence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 505, 507 and 508 together. My Department operates normal business hours and is open from Monday to Friday from 9.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (5.15 pm on Friday). Telephonists also provide a service during these hours. The Defence Force Press and Information Office operates on a daily basis from 08.30 to 17.00 hours. Defence Force Press and Information Officers...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined below: Forms that can be completed online: Applications for Cadetships Applications for Apprenticeships Applications for Direct Entry (Officers) Forms that cannot be completed online: Sheep Branding Form Request for Bank Details Customer Comment Card General Service Recruitment Pension Forms In addition, the Department makes its tender...

Written Answers — Military Service Medals: Military Service Medals (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The following table lists the medals issued by my Department for service spanning the period 1916 to 31 July 1924, the date on which the present day Defence Forces were legally established. Service medals have not been struck in respect of the period of service of the person in question. MEDALS ISSUED FOR SERVICE BEFORE 1924 1916 Medal Service Medal (War of Independence) Commemoration...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (4 Dec 2007)

Willie O'Dea: My Department and the Defence Forces ensure that all redundant information technology equipment is disposed of by a reputable company chosen through a public tender competition and properly licensed for such disposals in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. Prior to disposal, the hard disks are formatted by IT staff and made unserviceable. I am...