Results 10,601-10,620 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: During each EU Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. Last November I attended the formal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers. The Operation Commanders of the three current EU-led missions were also in attendance. Discussions were focused on these current operations and future proposed developments. Ireland contributes Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Expenditure: Defence Forces Expenditure (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and training resources, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other...

Turbary Rights (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I welcome the opportunity to affirm the reasons for the Garda involvement in relation to the matters in question. It speaks volumes that the Deputy has raised the matter by referring to "the use of State forces in Clonmoylan Bog". By referring to the Garda Síochána in this manner she shows an extraordinary lack of respect for the Garda Síochána and for the work it does. This is no more...

Turbary Rights (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: Perhaps the Deputy might refer to them as the Garda Síochána.

Turbary Rights (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy well knows and as she said herself, the National Parks and Wildlife Service sought to remove equipment from the location in question.

Turbary Rights (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: It did so in circumstances that were totally lawful and to enforce the laws of the State, but it was obstructed by the protesters from so doing. The numbers who had accumulated at the location required a deployment of members of An Garda Síochána so as to ensure the law was upheld and appropriate steps were taken. It is absolutely clear that what the Deputy and her colleagues are engaged...

Turbary Rights (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: At a national level it is clear that a failure to fully implement EU environmental law in this area leaves the State open to significant fines which could amount to €25,000 a day. The European Commission is being vigilant in its monitoring of the situation. All members of the community will be at a loss if fines are imposed. I hope those involved in illegal turf cutting will reflect...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. As the Deputies are aware, arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure, the Government decided to reduce the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF to 9,500 personnel. The savings arising from this decision and those arising from broader reductions in the number of public servants were required to meet fiscal...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: That makes it the shortest night as well.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I regret the Deputy has been misled by his colleague, Deputy Troy, who has been running a campaign around Athlone, calling public meetings with his Fianna Fáil colleagues and-----

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: -----suggesting, first, that the barracks was to close, which was untrue, and second, that 600 personnel were to be removed from the barracks. When that also turned out to be untrue and I made it clear the barracks would have in or about 1,000 personnel at the end of the re-organisation, he went around telling everyone there were either 1,400 or 1,450 personnel in the barracks. I noticed...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: This is a complete fabrication. When the current Government took up office on 9 March 2011, there were just over 900 personnel in Custume Barracks.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: Today, there are 1,050 personnel in Custume Barracks, 34 of whom are currently abroad on duties but who remain attached to Custume Barracks. There are no mythical 350 extra personnel - they feature in Deputy Troy's imagination - and there never have been.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The practical reality is that, when this re-organisation is implemented, Custume Barracks will end up with approximately 100 more personnel than were there on 9 March 2011.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I very much welcome the new era of politics in which we are currently engaged. That Sinn Féin is now showing such considerable support for the Defence Forces is a very important and welcome development.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The monetary savings have been delivered through the reduction in personnel strength and are reflected in the 2012 budget. The provision for the Permanent Defence Force's pay in the Vote 36 Estimates in 2011 was just over €442 million. The corresponding provision for 2012 is €425 million. The re-organisation will absorb the reduction in numbers and improve operational effectiveness....

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: We made very important decisions to protect the numbers in the Defence Forces and we used its establishment to the maximum efficiency and capability. What we are now implementing is the agreed portion of the re-organisation as agreed by the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of my Department. As to when we will have the final detail of this, I cannot give an exact date but it will be...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: When that work is completed, I will be quite happy to make an announcement on it.

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: My understanding is that there was a commitment to prepare a new White Paper in the previous programme for Government. It is also my understanding that the previous Government had no difficulty with initiating a re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force at that stage to accommodate a strength reduction to 10,000 in advance of that process. The reality was when we came into government,...

Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The priority is the maintenance of the operational capability of the Defence Forces within a reduced resource envelope to underpin the re-organisation. In these circumstances, I cannot understand how it is now suggested that it is necessary to await the publication of the Green Paper and the outcome of any White Paper. The organisational structures that were outmoded at 10,000 are even more...