Results 11,541-11,560 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: They can stay for 21 years.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It will apply to people who came into the new system on and from 1 January 1994. Anyone who is approaching the end of his or her 12 year period will, if he or she satisfies the criteria, be able to continue in service for up to nine years. We have examined the issue of recruitment raised by the Deputy. We must keep a close eye on the age profile for obvious reasons. The current average age of...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It has been the law since relevant legislation was introduced in the early 1960s. It is a part of one's contract that if one joins the Defence Forces, one must make oneself available for overseas duties. This was updated in 1993 to include the famous chapter 7 missions as only chapter 6 missions were possible until that time. Recruits must make themselves available. We are glad to say that,...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have no idea. I am not familiar with that speech by the Chief of Staff. He did not communicate those sentiments to me. Certainly, it is the law that overseas duty is part of their duty.

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There is no question that it is a very large commitment. Until I came into this job I did not realise how large it was. On the surface it appears small, as 10% of the standing Army is involved, but the Deputy mentioned rotation and two groups are in training to replace one group overseas. The idea regarding the Reserve Defence Force is good and other countries engaged in peacekeeping allow...

Defence Forces Recruitment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I had better not get into a discussion with Deputy Gormley on what he bases that observation. Fitness tests are carried out annually and if people are not fit they are told what to do in order to get fit. They must reach the required standard within a certain period of time.

Departmental Expenditure. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 27 together. The gross allocation for the Defence and Army Pensions Votes was €566 million in 1995, €789 million in 2000 and €934 million in 2005. The level of expenditure on defence in any particular country is influenced by a variety of factors, including that country's political and security environment, its history, demography and economy....

Departmental Expenditure. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to Deputy Sherlock's question is that similar to every other EU country since the fall of the Berlin Wall, our expenditure on defence as a percentage of GDP has decreased. Nevertheless, in real terms, our expenditure on defence has increased. To answer Deputy Andrews's question, during the past ten years we have increased expenditure in real terms by approximately 25% over the rate...

Commemorative Events. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I want to outline my satisfaction and that of the Defence Forces with this commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising and also with the reintroduction of the traditional Easter military parade. The Cabinet has decided that the theme of the parade will be a celebration of Óglaigh na hÉireann, successors to the volunteers, serving a democratic State and engaged, through...

Commemorative Events. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: On Deputy Timmins's first question about whether there will be one parade or whether it will be replicated throughout the country, no final decision on that matter has been taken as yet. It is more than likely that it will involve more than one parade in Dublin and that it will involve various parades throughout the country. As I stated, we are still at the very early stages of planning and...

Commemorative Events. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: No, I am not aware of that.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Private Kevin Barrett died on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon. His death was the subject of a UN board of inquiry and an Irish contingent board of inquiry as well as a military police investigation. The coroner for north-west Donegal held an inquest into the death of Private Barrett from 5 to 8 September 2005. The jury returned an open verdict. I met...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Deputy Sherlock for welcoming the inquiry I announced. On what the Barrett family seek, I met Mrs. Barrett and her solicitor and we have spoken to them on a number of occasions since. Basically, through her solicitor Mrs. Barrett asked me to do two things: to have investigated the interaction between the family and the Army and Department of Defence, and to organise another inquiry to...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am disappointed that Deputy Sherlock is disappointed, given that Mrs. Barrett is not disappointed, nor is her solicitor, to whom we spoke in recent days. They are quite happy. If Mrs. Barrett's family is happy, I do not know why Deputy Sherlock should be unhappy. I have absolutely no control over the printing of the transcript of the inquest, which is a matter for the stenographer and the...

Defence Forces Inquiry. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I will study the transcript carefully. If I conclude that a further inquiry is warranted, I will meet Mrs. Barrett and tell her what I intend to do.

Defence Forces Equipment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have yet to receive the report of the interdepartmental group which I established to examine all issues relating to battle groups. However, I do not envisage the Defence Forces buying any particular equipment in the context of its possible participation in battle groups. Participation in battle groups will not involve increased investment in the Defence Forces to acquire additional...

Defence Forces Equipment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Attorney General's advice on the matter is the subject of a further question which I will deal with in detail when we come to it. I do not claim to know as much about military hardware as Deputy Ó Snodaigh obviously knows.

Defence Forces Equipment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have read the documents. I would not like to leave the House with the misleading impression with which Deputy Ó Snodaigh seeks to leave it. The Deputy specifically stated that EU battle groups can operate without a UN mandate. I have made clear to anyone who wants to listen and I will do so again in words of fewer syllabi, if the Deputy wishes——

Defence Forces Equipment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: ——that if Ireland was to become involved in battle groups, we would not be involved in any specific operation without a UN mandate. I tell the Deputy this in words as small as I can devise.

Defence Forces Equipment. (3 Nov 2005)

Willie O'Dea: If Ireland becomes involved in battle groups, we will not purchase military equipment to contribute to those battle groups. I do not know if the Deputy is aware of the requirements catalogue for battle groups which will be finalised during the British EU Presidency and which outlines the maximum level of equipment needed for participation in battle groups. Obviously, some of the participating...