Results 10,601-10,620 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I will request the figures for the Deputy.

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware, I undertook during Priority Questions on Thursday, 23 February 2006 to ask the military authorities to revisit this matter in light of the questions raised on that date. The Chief of Staff appointed Colonel Tom Behan to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush. Due to the breadth of this investigation, this process has taken some time. I have now had a chance to...

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I will now concentrate on the conclusions of the report. On 8 November 1960, an 11-man patrol, commanded by Lieutenant Kevin Gleeson was attacked by a large number of Baluba tribesmen while on patrol from their base at Niemba and were quickly overwhelmed. There are two principal areas of controversy in regard to the record of this ambush, both of which concern Trooper Browne and Private...

Overseas Missions. (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The second area of controversy in regard to the record of the Niemba ambush is what did Trooper Browne do to contribute to the survival of Private Kenny. The report clearly concludes that prior to his escape from the ambush site, Trooper Browne fired his weapon at the Balubas who were intent on beating Private Kenny to death, thereby distracting them and saving his life. The Medal Board...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Staff: Defence Forces Staff (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities have advised that no retired Medical Officer of the Permanent Defence Force has any claim as of right to be engaged to provide medical services to the Defence Forces. When and where a need arises to engage a civilian medical practitioner to provide services to the Defence Forces, the services of a suitable practitioner(s) living in the area of the post in question...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Sale Contract for transfer of lands, which are the subject of this question, to the relevant Local Authority is being finalised at present. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor, acting on behalf of my Department, is awaiting a response from the Solicitor to the Authority concerned in relation to an outstanding aspect of the Contract conditions. On finalisation of the outstanding...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. An Garda Síochána have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), which duties include the protection and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: 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 recruitment of foreign-nationals to the Defence Forces is...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Haulbowline Island comprises approximately 84 acres in total and is, in its entirety, vested in the Minister for Finance. The area of the Island formerly under Lease to Irish Ispat, and now under the administration of the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government arising from the liquidation of that Company, covers c. 44 acres. My Department administers the balance of the...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The sale of 97 acres approximately at Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig was completed in 2003 for a total of €42 million. The bulk of the lands were purchased by O'Flynn Construction. The sale of a site comprising c. 2.7 acres to the Southern Health Board for €1.73 million was completed in December 2004. 19.218 acres at the former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, were sold to Cork County Council...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The term "Regimental Duties" is no longer used within the Defence Forces and has been replaced by reference to "Security Duties". However, the information requested by the Deputy is not disclosed for operational and security reasons.

Written Answers — Defences Forces Training: Defences Forces Training (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 524 together. The Army Apprentice School at the former Devoy Barracks Naas was closed in September 1998. There were only 28 apprentices remaining in the School at the time. The annual costs of running the Army Apprentice School were estimated to be about IR£2.85 million in 1998. Therefore, the average cost of training each apprentice had reached a...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in a tabular statement which indicates the manning levels of vessels (all ranks). Vessel Category Maximum Manning Possible Recommended Level of Manning as per NSIP1 Minimum Manning as per Naval Service Operations Command2 Average Sailing Manning3 Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV) 86 52 38 53 Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) 49 39 30 40 Offshore...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2005-2007 recognises among its various objectives the need to train and to develop members of the Defence Forces, so that they can fulfil their roles effectively and fulfil their individual training and developmental goals. One of the strategies in the Statement designed to achieve this objective is the provision of opportunities for individuals to...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs has the lead role in relation to this issue. I understand that extensive efforts have been made by the consular service of the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist and support the family at this difficult time. The consular service has also maintained ongoing contact with the local police force, rescue services, politicians and senior...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: This question does not apply to my Department at this time.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (8 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A total of fifty seven (57) officers were commissioned under short term contract since 1 January 1994. Of these, thirty four (34) are still serving in the Permanent Defence Force. Twenty three (23) of these officers are now serving "without limitation as to time" while eleven (11) remain on short term contract. There are no officers commissioned under short term contract in the Reserve...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (8 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In 1997 agreement was reached with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on a new manpower policy for the Defence Forces. This policy, applying to personnel enlisted after 1 January 1994, provided that service for Private Soldiers would initially be for five years with the option to be extended to a maximum of twelve years. Extensions from 5 to 9 years...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are no surviving Veterans of the 1916 Rising or the War of Independence in receipt of a pension from my Department, the last two Military Service Pensioners having died earlier this year. However, allowances are being paid to 221 widows of deceased Military Service Pensioners and to 445 widows of other deceased Veterans.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (7 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that the road in question is a public road and therefore the responsibility of Kildare County Council. I am informed, however, that the road is the subject of speed restrictions. The question of providing the facilities described is a matter for Kildare County Council.