Results 11,161-11,180 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Security Escorts: Security Escorts (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 515 together. An annual contribution of €2.86 million has been paid by the banks to my Department in respect of the provision of cash escorts since 1995. This figure was set by the Department of Finance in the 1995 budget and had not been altered since. The contribution from the banks was designed to part-cover the total costs to the State of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Investigations: Defence Forces Investigations (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The position is that legal advice has been sought by my Department as to the performance of the specialist medical recruitment agency engaged to provide suitably qualified doctors for service with the Irish contingent of the United Nations Mission in Liberia. This advice is still awaited. As the first priority was the welfare of the troops who were attended to by Dr. Lieberthal, the director...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The response to the recent riots in Dublin were discussed in detail in the House on 28 February 2006 during the debate on public order offences, which included detailed statements by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Government task force on emergency planning last met on 9 March 2006. This was a specifically convened meeting of the task force for the sole...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Investigations: Defence Forces Investigations (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that the military police investigation is still ongoing into the alleged larceny of diesel oil from military vehicles in Donegal. It would be inappropriate to comment on the details of the investigation but it can be confirmed that a member of the Defence Forces has been interviewed in the course of the investigation. As the investigation is continuing and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Garda Síochána has 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, the Garda Síochána, which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's legislative programme for the current Dáil session, which commenced on 25 January 2006, as announced by my colleague, Deputy Kitt, Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, lists in section A my intention to publish a Bill amending Part V, discipline, of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, and certain other provisions of the Act. Since its enactment...

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

Willie O'Dea: My Department currently holds the house and lands at the location in question, comprising an area of 4.83 acres in all, under lease. Over the years the Department has received approaches regarding the disposal of its interest in the property. It is not the practice to divulge the identity of such interested parties. The Department's property portfolio is kept under continual review and any...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 123 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 into the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on 3 December 2003 provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. While the Office of Public Works has identified a suitable site in Newbridge for the Department's new...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A tender competition was initiated in 2005 to replace the existing FN 9mm Browning automatic pistol within the Defence Forces. The requirement is for up to 1,400 new pistols. The tender competition is still in train but it is likely that a contract for the acquisition of the pistols will be placed in the near future. It is expected that the new pistols will be delivered by the end of this...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Investigations: Defence Forces Investigations (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: On Question Time on 23 February 2006, I undertook to ask the military authorities to revisit this matter in light of the questions raised on that date. The Chief of Staff has appointed a senior officer to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush in the Congo in November 1960. The senior officer will also examine all records in military archives, interview former Army Privates Kenny and...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: There are no plans for the sale of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin. The Deputy will be aware that the Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare and Islandbridge, Dublin. The sale of approximately 97 acres at...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Staff: Defence Forces Staff (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The military authorities advise that the individual in question submitted an application for a transfer from the Second Field Artillery Regiment, McKee Barracks, Dublin, to B Company, Third Infantry Battalion, DFTC, in March 2006. The transfer application is being processed through the normal military channels and the individual will be advised of the outcome in due course.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The table below gives a schedule of events that I will attend in an official capacity to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising on Sunday, 16 April 2006. Wreath laying ceremony Kilmainham Gaol 10 a.m. Military Parade Dublin City Centre 11.30 a.m. State Reception Dublin Castle 7 p.m.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The person in question is not eligible for a spouse's pension from my Department because her late husband, who retired from the Defence Forces in 1982, was not a member of the spouses and children's contributory pension scheme for enlisted personnel. He opted out of membership of the scheme on its introduction in 1978 and, when given a second opportunity to join the revised scheme in 1985,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Reserve Defence Force, RDF, is a volunteer force and, as such, the relationship between members of the reserve and the Department of Defence is not comparable to a normal employer-employee relationship. The reserve is currently undergoing major reorganisation. The White Paper on Defence outlines the blueprint for a new Reserve Defence Force and an implementation plan has been developed...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together. I am very satisfied that military training techniques and equipment, operated by the Air Corps and the Naval Service are up to date in all respects. Air Corps and Naval Service training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them under the White Paper on Defence. Priority is given to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together. The Garda Siochána has 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 the Garda in co-operation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces continues to be a key focus for me. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I intend to continue the good work in that regard. The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising...

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

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 522 together. I assume the Deputy is referring to discussions on EU battle groups. Discussions with other like-minded nations on a potential contribution by Ireland to a battle group have now commenced. A delegation consisting of representatives from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces met their Swedish counterparts...