Results 10,821-10,840 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Information Technology: Information Technology (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In line with public procurement policy as outlined at central government level, and to achieve maximum value for money, my Department engages in open tendering to the greatest possible extent. This requires advertising in the EU Journal and extensive use of the e-tenders website to enable a wide range of responses from interested vendors. Within these parameters, the Irish information and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As the house is aware, Ireland is currently in discussion with Sweden, regarding our participation in the Nordic Battle group. Our participation in the Battle group concept in no way weakens or undermines Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Ireland's participation in EU-led peace support operations, including operations which may be undertaken by Rapid Response...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (4 Jul 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) issued comprehensive Administrative Instructions to provide for the filling of appointments in the Reserve Defence Force, to enable the reorganisation of 1st October 2005. Officers volunteered for specific appointments in the establishment and where possible were assigned to their unit and location of preference. The military authorities have informed me...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Castlebar Military Barracks is primarily a Reserve Defence Force facility that provides training facilities, office accommodation and storage facilities for Permanent Defence Force Cadre and Unit personnel of Units stationed in the Barracks. The estimated cost of the refurbishment works necessary to effect compliance with building, health and safety, and fire regulations in order to provide...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together. Between mid-1997 and January 2003, a Defence Forces military police contingent (of 50 personnel) served in the NATO-led Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR), following Dáil Éireann approval in July 1997. The Irish contingent formed part of the International Military Police Company at SFOR Headquarters in Sarajevo. The...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Senator Brian Hayes referred to what I said last night about the battle groups and the figure of 3,000. I reiterate that a battle group will consist of only 1,500 troops but the ambition of the European Union, which it has now achieved, is that from next year it can have two battle groups standing by to be deployed simultaneously.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes, 1,500 each. One might be deployed to Africa and the other to Asia but they will be deployed simultaneously should that be necessary. I wish to clarify another point on which there appears to be some confusion. The United Nations does not decide to deploy a battle group. The United Nations will ask the EU to intervene and the method of intervention by the EU, as a regional agency, will...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank the Senator. There were no Irish troops there in either case. They were not part of the UN mission. They were part of a subsequent EU operation. The core of this amendment lies in the definition of international peace mission and the provisions under which a contingent could be despatched on such a mission. The rest of the amendments are consequential to the acceptance of the...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Senator Minihan asked about troops being deployed. I envisage a very remote possibility of a humanitarian mission established under section 3(1)(f) subsequently becoming the subject of a United Nations resolution. A humanitarian mission follows an event such as a tsunami or an earthquake and we have given ourselves the right to deploy troops rapidly to help the unfortunate people affected. A...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I suppose it would be possible. In such circumstances, I imagine the troops who had been deployed in accordance with section 3(1)(f) would still be validly there. Obviously, if it became too dangerous we would need to take that into account and might need to withdraw them. The question of their safety would be a matter of agreement between the Government and the host state. If we were...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In practically all those cases the decision to break those promises did not have a subsequent electoral mandate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not believe the Senator's fear is well founded. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that the Seanad should have an input. In my term as Minister, if a further deployment of troops abroad takes place, I will organise that it be formally reported to the Seanad, which can then make its own arrangements for a debate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The effect of this amendment would be to delete the requirement for the Minister to have the annual report on participation by the Defence Forces in UN missions endorsed by Dáil Éireann.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: This provision was introduced in the 1993 Act by the coalition Government of the time. It is good that the Dáil reviews in some detail and on an annual basis the missions undertaken by the Defence Forces, which for the most part have been approved by the Dáil in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Act. Section 13 states, "Dáil Éireann may by resolution". That is a permissive...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: It enables the Dáil to debate reports.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Senator Ryan's suggestion that we change the terms to ensure a debate takes place is a good one. Perhaps he could ask his colleagues to table an amendment for the Dáil debate.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I do not agree with Senator Ryan that the position of the Labour Party is vindicated by the measures I am introducing. We have deployed our troops abroad since 1958 when no legislation governed this issue. Several Governments have done so since, some of which included members of the Labour Party. If it was necessary to do so then, the Labour Party could have changed the law. This Government...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am responding to provocation. Debates in the Seanad tend to be more mature and reflective than in what Senator Brian Hayes refers to as the bearpit, namely, the Dáil. This might encourage Senator Hayes to remain in the Seanad.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (28 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators for their contributions and will consider the suggestions made.