Results 10,561-10,580 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Force Regulations provide that a person who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force before 1 January 1994 may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of sixty years. A person who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force on or after 1 January 1994 may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years in the rank of Sergeant and to the age of fifty-six in all...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's recently published White Paper on Irish Aid provides for the creation of Ireland's own specific operational capabilities in responding to humanitarian emergencies: the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI). The three main components of the initiative are the pre-positioning and transportation of material humanitarian supplies to disaster locations; the creation of a register of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 44 and 66 together. Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. All applicants for each of these entry streams are required to meet qualifying criteria. The question of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 47 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces and the Defence Forces continue...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on Defence set the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 10,500. It also provided that the Chief of Staff could maintain an additional 250 in training at any one time. This latter provision was withdrawn in 2003 as part of the Government Decision on managing public service numbers and there are no plans to restore it. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 30...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 60, 70, 232 to 234, inclusive, together. On 24 January 2006, the Government, in an informal decision, agreed that the Minister for Defence could enter into discussions with Sweden and other like-minded nations in relation to Ireland's contribution to EU Battle groups. Representatives from the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs and the Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Pay: Defence Forces Pay (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The current rates of pay and allowances for members of the Defence Forces can be found on my Departments website at www.defence.ie. I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the details as requested. A wide range of different rates of pay for military personnel can be found across the European Union. This reflects the enormous differences in development...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The number of Commandants and Lieutenant Colonels due to retire on age grounds for each year from 2012 to 2016, as advised by the military authorities, is provided in the following Tabular Statement. These figures are based on retirement age in current rank. Lieutenant Colonel (and equivalents) Year Army Air Corps Naval Service Total 2012 19 2 2 23 2013 11 1 1 13 2014 15 2 1 18 2015 6...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Location Ranges 2 Eastern Brigade Kilbride Kilpeddar Range Gormanston Red Barns Range Dundalk 1 Southern Brigade Kilworth Kilcoran County Tipperary Bere Island Barnane Ballymullen County Laois Ballywilliam County Wexford 4 Western Brigade Carnagh Rifle Range Oranmore Rifle Range Cushla Connolly...

Written Answers — Military Archives: Military Archives (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that at present the staff strength of the Military Archives is three (3), comprising of two (2) commissioned officers and one (1) Private. The military authorities advise me that a strength of five (5), including suitably qualified replacements for two (2) officers who have retired and who previously also worked in the Archives, is sufficient to meet the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The decentralisation of the Civil Defence Board is now complete. I had the pleasure of opening the Board's new purpose built offices in Benamore, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary on the 12th of September 2006.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: At the meeting of the European Defence Agency Steering Board on 21 November 2005, agreement was reached on the voluntary code of conduct, the aim of which is to encourage greater competition in the European Defence Market. The voluntary Code of Conduct seeks to eliminate or reduce the level of recourse to Article 296 of the Treaty, which enables member States avoid the normal open tendering...

Written Answers — Hearing Impairment Claims: Hearing Impairment Claims (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Since October 2005, 183 enquiries have been received by my Department from Plaintiffs regarding the fees paid to solicitors in respect of Army Deafness cases. Generally these queries refer to the amount of the award or settlement and the costs paid. As a matter of course, my Department advises the individual in such cases of the amount of the settlement or award, and the date on which...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It is not generally the practice to sell defensive equipment. Such equipment is normally scrapped when it is considered to be defunct. However, there are a number of categories of equipment that are disposed of. The main category relates to military vehicles. Military vehicles undergo regular maintenance and overhauls to ensure that they are roadworthy and provide value for money service....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Wexford Military Barracks stands on approximately one acre. There are currently no plans for any major works at the property, which will continue in use as the HQ of the 33rd Battalion RDF.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The safety of individuals visiting areas such as the Glen of Imaal is of paramount importance to the Department of Defence and the design and location of information and warning notices is kept under review in order to achieve that objective. An explanatory leaflet which contains a map of the Glen of Imaal and includes details of "do's" and "dont's" has been printed and copies have been...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Accommodation in Cathal Brugha Barracks includes officers married quarters, single living in and low density accommodation for officers and other ranks personnel and billet accommodation used for transit and short term stays for courses etc. There is in the region of 350 personnel accommodated at present. In addition, there are twelve other ranks married quarters located outside Cathal...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: No recent major exercises have been carried out by the Reserve Defence Force. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force which will have a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the PDF, better equipment and training and opportunities to serve on overseas peace support missions. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, which...

Written Answers — Army Medical Corps: Army Medical Corps (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There is a shortage of medical officers (Doctors) in the Medical Corps. The establishment for Medical Officers is 47 and the current strength if 23, of whom 12 are functioning in front line clinical duties in Ireland amongst Brigades and formations. The services of civilian medical practitioners are regularly engaged to ensure that the primary health care requirements arising in barracks...

Written Answers — Military Discipline: Military Discipline (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Military law, including military discipline, is prescribed in the Defence Act, 1954 and in Defence Force Regulations made pursuant to various provisions of the Defence Act. PDFORRA has submitted a claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force in relation to alleged disadvantage and discrimination against elected representatives. By agreement with the...