Results 10,721-10,740 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Other groups wished us well and thought it was a good idea. The Department also invited submissions from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, and the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, and have not had a response from either.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: We sought proposals in the middle of last year. Most groups, apart from PDFORRA and RACO, responded but the responses did not advance the cause. A response that congratulates us on the idea is very different from one with concrete suggestions. I propose to issue a tabular statement on the number of women working in the Defence Forces. The latest figures available show 9,837 males in the...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The number of females applying has increased. Some 5% to 6% of the Army is female, but last year 9.5% of applicants were female and 10.5% of recruits were female. The number recruited is proportionate to the number applying. We are trying to increase the number of females applying by increasing the pool from 60% to 90% and by carrying out research to determine what other measures must be...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not see any objection to that and will discuss it with my officials. I intended to commission research in any case and had sought Government approval for it. The responses provided no new ideas and this disappointed me, in view of the range of organisations contacted.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I look forward to discovering the results of the research. I wrote to the organisations and asked for their suggestions on how to attract more women into the Defence Forces. The research will go deeper than this aspect. Women who have served in the Defence Forces will be interviewed about their experience of life there and women who have not served in the Defence Forces will be interviewed...

Bullying in the Workplace. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I assure the Deputy that any allegations of bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces are treated with the utmost seriousness. There are extensive processes in place to protect the rights of Defence Forces personnel, including PDFORRA officials. These procedures give robust protection and I urge PDFORRA officials to avail of them if they feel there are issues to be resolved. As I have...

Bullying in the Workplace. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As Deputy Ó Snodaigh rightly acknowledged, the situation was examined by Dr. Doyle in 2002. She discovered a number of difficulties in respect of people making complaints about bullying. She made a number of recommendations, which were implemented, as outlined, in 2004. The situation is being kept under review because the Chief of Staff has a very personal interest and takes a hands-on...

Defence Forces Staff. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 19 together. The regulations governing the promotion of enlisted personnel are provided for in Defence Force regulations A 10, part II, as issued by the Minister for Defence. The more detailed procedures and criteria for the promotion of enlisted personnel are further provided for in "A" administrative instruction, Defence Forces, part 10, as issued by...

Defence Forces Staff. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have any independent evidence that the present promotional system is not strictly adhered to as intended. A number of experts are of the view the present system must be updated and the Department of Defence has accepted that. Departmental officials and PDFORRA are discussing a mutually agreeable new system and that reply also applies to the final question. The matter is in...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 39 together. On 2 February 2006, I received a report from Mr. Sean Hurley, whom I appointed to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence and Defence Forces and the parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death, on 18 February 1999, while serving with the 84th Infantry...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I keep the family informed. I do not know whether all witnesses were available. I handed the matter over to the Garda Síochána and a Garda investigation is being conducted at the level of chief superintendent. I hope it will be concluded by the end of the year. We should not discuss exhumation orders in the House. I am in close touch with Mrs. Barrett, Kevin Barrett's mother, and she...

Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy should look behind him.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am looking at all the youthful faces over there.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Among other things.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as advised by the military authorities, was 10,383 on 30 September, 2006, the latest date for which figures are available. This total strength included 313 personnel who are in induction training as follows: Instrumentalists — 1 Cadets — 80 Apprentices — 79 Recruits — 153. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are no surviving Veterans of 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 229 widows of deceased Military Service Pensioners and to 559 widows of other deceased Veterans.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The informal meeting of Defence Ministers took place in Levi in Finland on the 2nd and 3rd of October, 2006. Due to prior commitments, I was unable to attend and the Secretary General of my Department attended in my stead. The meeting discussed current operations including the current EU Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A presentation on the current operation and future plans...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: My Department has had no responsibility for the establishment or operating of any Tribunal of Inquiry or Commission of Inquiry since 1997. We have when requested responded to requests from a number of external investigations including the Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings, the Smithwick Inquiry and from the Garda Síochána. A number of internal investigations have...

Overseas Missions: Motion. (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank all Members for their contributions and for recognising the importance of the contribution of Ireland and the Defence Forces to international peace and security. I am particularly grateful for the kind words and compliments from Members regarding the manner in which the Defence Forces have discharged such missions. This debate reflects the high regard in which the Defence Forces are...

Overseas Missions: Motion. (11 Oct 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, this refers to cluster bombs, cluster bomblets etc. I will explain the purpose of the Irish-Finnish contingent. The Finnish contingent consists of engineers who will rebuild the infrastructure. Any ordinary use of language would describe that activity as being humanitarian. In addition, the Finns will clear unexploded ordnance in their area of operations. Essentially, the Finnish...