Results 10,901-10,920 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. Defence Forces Border operations are undertaken as aid to civil power (ATCP) requests. The Defence Forces also assist the Garda in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Attorney General has advised that there is a constitutional impediment to training of foreign troops in Ireland. As such, there are no plans for training of foreign troops in Ireland. However, as we are not a framework nation, this should not be a problem.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Defence Forces personnel have for many years attended workshops, training courses, desktop exercises, seminars and other events overseas as part of their military training and will continue to do this. The Defence Forces have also attended training courses and workshops under PfP PARP, the purpose of which is to learn from best practice in other Defence Forces and includes improving the level...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Ireland's Presentation Document for participation in PfP was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 November, 1999 and, following Dáil approval, Ireland joined PfP on 1 December, 1999. Ireland also participates in the PfP Planning and Review Process (known as PARP). In common with the other EU neutrals, Ireland is using the PARP process in connection with planning for humanitarian and rescue tasks,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210, 211, 215 and 217 together. The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets 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. Recruitment...

Written Answers — Cash Escorts: Cash Escorts (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I had a number of discussions with the Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) in relation to this matter last year, with a view to increasing the level of contribution by the Banks in respect of the costs incurred by the Department in the provision of Cash Escorts. Following detailed and intensive discussions between officials of the IBF, the member Banks and the Department, a detailed formal...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 218 and 219 together. An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from terrorism are continuously monitored by them in cooperation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Accommodation: Defence Forces Accommodation (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Personnel on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force are obliged to vacate married quarters within a short period of the dates of their discharge. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married personnel have an equal claim on such housing as other members of the community in the same income category. My Department is continuing to examine all...

Written Answers — Search and Rescue Service: Search and Rescue Service (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces are committed to providing support to the civil authorities specifically in relation to Search and Rescue. The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue Region, and the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Coast Guard in this regard as the need arises and within...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. Reports conducted internally Year Published Report Cost € 2002 Department of Defence Annual Report 2001 € 7,602.41 Defence Forces Annual Report 2001 €19,025.00 2003 Defence Forces Annual Report 2002 €14,785.00 Department of Defence Annual Report 2002 €...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A total of 16,760 claims have been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. Of the claims, 15,605 have been disposed of, leaving a total of 1,155 outstanding. Some €280.9 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims, including €95 million in plaintiffs' legal...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with Deputy Costello that it is a fairly hefty percentage but these were party and party fees. In other words, if the costs were granted against the defendant, he would have been obliged by the Taxing Master to pay them if he was unhappy with the amount. These fees were barely sufficient to enable the plaintiff pursue his legal claim. The 145 complaints are from people whose fees were...

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: To answer the Deputy's first question, our Department provided for medical expenses, including audiologists' reports etc. but——

Hearing Impairment Claims. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Yes but, generally speaking, in a case like that it would only provide for one medical witness or one audiologist's report. In some cases more than one had to be procured to establish the case. That is the difference between party and party costs and solicitor and client costs. Regarding the 1994 Act, I have checked the Act and, unfortunately, whether by oversight or whatever, it does contain...

Overseas Missions. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1671 of 25 April 2006 authorised the EU to deploy a European Union Force, codenamed EUFOR RD Congo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, in support of MONUC during the electoral period in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a period ending four months after the date of the first round of the presidential and parliamentary elections there....

Overseas Missions. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As I indicated to Deputy Costello in reply to an earlier question, the Attorney General's advice was given at a time before I came into the Department, because this matter had happened before that. Nevertheless, I have to accept the advice of the Attorney General. The Government acts on the advice of the Attorney General whenever troops are being deployed abroad. When we are deploying troops...

Overseas Missions. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Not really, because the legislation covers other matters as well.

Overseas Missions. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The legislation has to cover other matters as well. I should be glad to debate the legislation with Deputy Gormley at any time.

Overseas Missions. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I am acting on the Attorney General's advice, which is that we are within the terms of the legislation. If Deputy Costello has a different opinion, he is entitled to it, but the person who advises me, as the Minister for Defence, is the Attorney General.

Defence Forces Awards. (22 Jun 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I take this opportunity to once again acknowledge the supreme sacrifice of the Air Corps personnel who so tragically lost their lives in the Tramore helicopter crash and to extend my renewed sympathy to their families, friends and also their colleagues in the Air Corps. We all recognise and appreciate the nature of the tragic loss occasioned by their deaths. I also fully understand that the...