Results 11,661-11,680 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy said as clear as a bell would I not trigger an inquiry from a casual glance at the information.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I will have another inquiry if I deem it necessary and having studied the matter properly, not in a casual manner, because it is not a case that should be dealt with in a casual manner.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It has been given to them. A copy of the Defence Forces contingent board of inquiry has already been released to the Barrett family's legal team. I will inquire how long it took to release it or whether there was an undue delay.

Defence Forces Inquiry. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I repeat I will initiate any inquiries and seek the support and help of anyone to pursue these inquiries. However, there will be such inquiries as I determine are warranted having studied fully all the evidence and information available in the case.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 5 and 165 together. The background to the rapid response elements concept, commonly referred to as battle groups, is that at the European Council in Helsinki in 1999, member states set themselves a headline goal that by the year 2003, co-operating together and voluntarily, they would be able to deploy rapidly and then sustain forces capable of the full...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not have the report. I anticipated the Attorney General's office would be a bit speedier than it has proved to be. However, I expect to hear from the Attorney General next week and there will be no avoidable delay in bringing the matter to Cabinet. Second, Deputy Gormley is absolutely wrong. He could not be more wrong even to imagine that I would abandon the triple lock method. I am...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I said on several occasions in this House, and I repeat today, that we understand the rationale of battle groups, rapid reaction in modern warfare and terrorism conditions, and we will participate provided we can do so while at the same holding onto the triple lock.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: As I outlined to the House on a number of occasions, there are some difficulties, particularly about Irish troops travelling abroad and the requirement for Dáil approval, a UN mandate, etc. This applies currently when people travel abroad to participate in peacekeeping if the number is more than 12 and they are under arms. I do not wish to anticipate the report but it may be necessary, for...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I have not received the report because the Attorney General has not forwarded his advice which will underpin the report. However, I expect that advice will be available next week. I did not say that legislative change would not be necessary. I said a legislative amendment will probably be necessary.

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes. That is my opinion but I must await the advice of the Attorney General. There is no conflict between me and the Minister for Foreign Affairs or any other Minister on this matter. We are all ad idem in our commitment to the triple lock, and our determination to respond to the entreaties of the United Nations and its Secretary General and the demands of international peacekeeping by...

Overseas Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not wish to anticipate what the report will suggest. I am confident I will have the report and I will be in position to go to Cabinet before we meet again for Question Time. We will discuss what, if anything, the report proposes by way of legislative amendment at that point.

Emergency Planning. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The Government task force on emergency planning last met on Tuesday, 20 September 2005. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda, and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning. The work of the task force continues and there have...

Emergency Planning. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The task force comprises representatives of various Departments and, therefore, funding is not required per se. We try to meet at least once a month in Government Buildings. I chair the task force. The recommendation to which the Deputy referred reflects the emergency planning model used in Britain and the US. It is generally felt, although perhaps not by the group to which the Deputy...

Emergency Planning. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: This is a separate question but I have no problem responding to it. The person I appointed is eminently well qualified for the job. He has vast experience both in business and in the public sector, where he worked for many years as a community welfare officer. He has administrative experience as a member of Limerick County Council. He served in the FCA for many years and he is well known as a...

Defence Forces Strength. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 155 and 163 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. The strength of the Defence Forces, and the number of female personnel by rank, as advised by the military authorities, is provided in...

Defence Forces Strength. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: There is an ongoing programme of reform of the Reserve Defence Forces. The FCA is becoming the Army Reserve and Slua Muirí is becoming the Naval Reserve. Therefore the different units are being reorganised and amalgamated in various places. The official changeover takes place next Saturday, 1 October 2005. The ceremony will take place at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick and I will extend an...

Defence Forces Strength. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Defence Forces Strength. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: We will miss the Deputy.

Peacekeeping Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Lt. Gen. Sreenan visited the United States from 28 March 2005 to 1 April 2005 on foot of an invitation from General Richard B. Meyers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This visit was a Chiefs of Defence Staff visit, which is a traditional means of CHODs paying courtesy visits to their foreign counterparts and discussing matters of mutual interest. Lt. Gen. Sreenan held bilateral...

Peacekeeping Missions. (29 Sep 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am glad Deputy Gormley got the opportunity to make his usual speech. I did not take off sick when General Meyers visited.