Results 10,421-10,440 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — : (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with Nuclear, Biological or Chemical (NBC) threats should such arise. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. This range includes approximately 9,500 NBC suits. In addition, the...

Written Answers — Military Installations: Military Installations (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare, and Islandbridge, Dublin. The sale of 97 acres approximately at Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig was completed in 2003 for a total of €42 million. The bulk of the...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In 2006 I signed into effect two new Defence Force Regulations together with amendments to various existing regulations all of which are listed in Appendix 1. Regulations made pursuant to sections 17, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 40, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 53, 56, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 75, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86, 87, 88, 90, 92, 93, 94, 97, 98, 100, 102, 103, 114,...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy McGrath says he is interested in the truth. So are we all; the truth is what we want. Unfortunately, it is sometimes not possible to definitively establish the truth of an event that happened in the past. This ambush happened 46 years ago. Only two eyewitnesses are alive whom we can trace. If we could talk to the Balubas they might be able to throw more light on the matter. It is...

Commemorative Events. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: A commemoration will again be held this Easter Sunday at the GPO to mark the anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916. Following discussions at the all-party Oireachtas committee it has been decided that the format of this year's commemoration will be a military ceremony centred on the GPO with appropriate military honours rendered. There will not be a parade along the lines of the 2006...

Commemorative Events. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The ceremony will take place on Easter Sunday. I cannot give the exact numbers but they will be considerably lower than last year. It will be a simple military ceremony, centred on the GPO and involving the raising of the flag and reading of the proclamation. I cannot control what is envisaged for the future but the committee met on 21 November and will meet again to finalise arrangements...

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decided on 1 July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare, and lands at Gormanston Camp, County Meath, would be among the State property released to the relevant local authorities for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. On 16 December 2003 the Government agreed to the release of approximately two acres of lands at the Camp Field, Collins Barracks,...

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Traditionally, it has been difficult for the Department of Defence to get money at the Cabinet table, but we have moved on from that situation. Last year, more than €1 billion was spent in the defence Estimate for the first time. Since 1997, sales of land re-invested in equipment and buildings have amounted to more than €90 million. We continue to keep the situation under review. The...

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: The working group.

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I do not know the details of the case. It occurred before I entered the Department of Defence.

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I am unaware of the details. I would need to hear both sides of the story. I must talk to my officials before agreeing or disagreeing, but I will make inquiries. Was it Clancy Barracks?

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Does the Deputy mean sell Cathal Brugha Barracks or make some of the land available?

Defence Forces Property. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We keep our property portfolio under constant review. What we dispose of is regarded as surplus to requirements at a particular time. If the Deputy wishes, I will examine the barracks to determine whether any land is surplus to requirements and communicate with him.

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 258 together. Service in the reserve is rendered on a voluntary part-time basis. I am aware of the time and effort that its members give freely by participating in training and other activities in their own time. Their willingness to serve in a voluntary capacity and the dedication and enthusiasm they display consistently is appreciated in their local...

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Strictly speaking it is incorrect to say they are not remunerated for what they do. They are not remunerated for weekly training, which they do in their spare time, but when they attend their annual training camp, if they are there for a minimum of seven days, they will be paid for the seven days at the relevant regimental rate up to a maximum of 14 days.

Defence Forces Reserve. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: They are also paid when they go on specific training courses and on specific security duties. According to the figures available to me, the Reserve Defence Force personnel may be paid for up to a maximum of 42 days in a year for attending under the headings I outlined. There are, however, exceptions to this on sanction by the Department. In 2006, 25 reservists completed an average of 50...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: In his report Colonel Behan made five recommendations, each of which I will now address in turn. The first recommendation is that in the light of his research and study, the record of Dáil Éireann should be amended in regard to the location where Trooper Browne died. While no definitive conclusion can be reached regarding the precise location of Trooper Browne's death, the proposition that...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: We examined how best to commemorate what happened in the contribution of both soldiers in a public way. The Chief of Staff suggested that the UNIFIL parade that will take place in Cathal Brugha Barracks at the end of April might be a suitable public occasion because it will attract a lot media attention. Not only will we publicly recognise them at that event but, as Minister for Defence, I...

Overseas Missions. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: I accept the Deputy's comments but the military authorities have concluded that these circumstances, however harrowing and difficult they may be for the individuals involved, are not sufficient to warrant the award of a medal for gallantry under the relevant criteria. However, I do not wish to pre-empt any discussion I have with Mr. Fitzpatrick or anybody else Deputy Costello wishes me to...

Departmental Bodies. (1 Feb 2007)

Willie O'Dea: Some €400,000 was spent in 2005 to improve facilities within Cathal Brugha Barracks, where the Military Archives are housed. The intention was to secure the archive while the requirement for a more suitable home for it was identified. The military authorities advise that the Military Archives have three staff and that a total five staff would be sufficient to meet the current demands on...