Results 9,941-9,960 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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

Willie O'Dea: Podcasts are not currently available for download on my Department's or its agencies' websites and there are no plans, as yet, to introduce them. My Department continues to examine all aspects of available information technology to improve communications to the public, including podcasts and related tools, where they serve a specific purpose, are technically feasible and cost-effective. There...

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

Willie O'Dea: My Department's headquarters at Infirmary Road, Dublin 7 was reopened in 1997 following a complete refurbishment to the highest standards and it has been maintained in an environmentally friendly condition since then. The proposed new headquarters in Newbridge, Co Kildare will be built having regard to efficient, economic and environmentally friendly standards. A refurbishment programme...

Written Answers — Child Care Facilities: Child Care Facilities (4 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 child care facilities under a number of headings, including demand...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Officers who joined the Defence Forces on or after the 6th April 1995 are, like other public servants appointed since then, subject to full PRSI and so are entitled to the full range of State Social Insurance benefits including the Old Age Contributory Pension, nowadays known as the State Pension Contributory. Consequently, their occupational pensions are subject to a process — known as...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: This Question was answered today by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, reference Question No. 48.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 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. The minimum service required for a Private to qualify for a pension under the Defence Forces Pensions Scheme is 21 years, or 12 years if discharged "Below...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware, I propose to re-establish the All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group which was originally set up last year to offer advice on the scope and content of a 1916 centenary commemoration programme. I will be writing to Party Leaders, shortly, to ask them to nominate spokespersons to the Group. I intend to convene a meeting of the Group early in 2008. The Group will be...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We do not have sufficient air assets or medical facilities and we need substantial assistance in these areas. I appeal again to our European partners in this regard. The whole future of European security and defence is at stake. The credibility of the EU's involvement in peacekeeping missions is at stake if we cannot launch this mission as soon as possible. If our partners do not step up...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the various speakers for their constructive and helpful contributions today. Many points have been raised but time does not permit me to deal with them all. Will the House grant me a few minutes over and above the ten minutes allocated to conclude?

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I wish to deal with the main points that were raised by Members, including Deputies Deenihan, O'Shea, Michael D. Higgins and others. One question related to the water supply in Chad. There have been reports that there is a problem with the supply and capacity of water in Chad. While these reports have been around for some time, accurate reports and surveys are not available to confirm...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I have no difficulty with attending the committee meeting to discuss the matter further.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I will ask him. The Deputy will appreciate that he is busy at present but if the request is made, I will certainly ask him.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We will communicate that request to Lieutenant General Nash. Deputy Ó Snodaigh indicated that he intended to oppose the motion because he did not agree with battle groups. This is not a battle group in the classic sense of the word. We are part of the Nordic battle group. This is a peace support operation which is being carried out for humanitarian reasons. Incidentally, of all the...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am giving them that assurance.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am giving all those assurances.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy must wait a minute. He was not here for the debate. Lieutenant General Nash will not deploy——

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy must have been invisible, because I did not see him all day.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Lieutenant General Nash will not deploy unless all the key enablers are in place.

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: At a meeting of Defence Ministers in Brussels last Monday week I pleaded with my colleagues to put the key enablers in place. We have less than 1% of the population of Europe but we are supplying approximately 12% of the troops for this mission. Someone asked me why we are not supplying air assets. We would gladly supply them if we had them, but the air assets we have do not have the range...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Willie O'Dea: No.