Results 11,681-11,700 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Government has decided to accept my recommendations that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. As the Defence Forces are currently over 500 below the agreed serving cadre, the phased recruitment of General Service Recruits will be undertaken in 2012, within the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will appreciate this is a very complicated issue and covers a wider range of individuals than those who deserted to fight with the Allied Forces in World War II. Having regard to the wider dimensions of the issue, including for those who were actually tried by Court Martial for desertion during the Emergency and thereafter, I referred the matter to the Attorney General's Office...

Written Answers — Military Medals: Military Medals (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: Whilst I have recently received a proposal that a commemorative medal be issued in 2013 to all serving members of the Defence Forces, the matter will require further consideration before any decision can be taken.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Government has decided to accept my recommendations that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2012, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, so as to maintain the Government approved...

Written Answers — Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: Following a request from An Garda Síochána, a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed to a residential property in the Ranelagh area of Dublin on Monday, 23rd January, 2012. The EOD team subsequently made safe a suspected viable Improvised Explosive Device (IED). From a security and operational perspective, it would not be appropriate to reveal technical...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The church in Kickham Barracks was deconsecrated prior to the closure of the barracks and the bell which was considered to be a religious item was removed to Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick. Following a review of the matter arrangements are now being made to re-locate the bell back to the Church in Kickham Barracks. There are no annuities, ground rent or other such payment being made in...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: Following the closure of Columb Barracks Mullingar my Department has arranged to put in place certain security measures at the barracks. Because of security considerations I am unable to give details as to what these measures are. However I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to provide the best possible security at the barracks.

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The number of written Parliamentary Questions replied to between 1 January 2012 and 31 March 2012 was 162. 151 questions were answered in full on the day while 11 questions involved material being sent directly to the Deputy concerned where it was not possible to provide all of the information sought in the time available. Details on personal matters were supplied in two questions and both...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1051 and 1052 together. I have not appointed any special advisors in my role as Minister for Defence. Similarly, no special advisors have been appointed by Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D. in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The following table details the total spend by the Department of Defence on mobile phones in each of the years 2007 to 2011. Year Total Expenditure Including VAT 2007 €52,057 2008 €54,018 2009 €52,703 2010 €46,246 2011 €37,807 The mobile phone operator that has held the contract during this period is Vodafone. This service has been procured using the Department of Finance...

Written Answers — Medicinal Products: Medicinal Products (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1054 to 1059, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Military Authorities that they are compiling the documentation requested previously by the Deputy regarding information provided to personnel who were prescribed Lariam and I hope to forward this to him shortly. Lariam is a malaria chemo-prophylactic agent first authorised for use in 1989 by the Irish...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: Cadre staff of the Reserve Defence Force are full time appointments in the Permanent Defence Force. Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment or Direct Entry Competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. There are no provisions which permit the enlistment or...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Department has not used any overseas companies for printing work in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can assure the Senator that I will bring his concerns to the attention of the Tánaiste. It may well be that there are appellate matters to be addressed yet. I do not personally know whether that is the case or not so I do not want to, in any way, mislead the House or the Senator. I will convey the very understandable and very strong views expressed by him to the Tánaiste on the issue.

Seanad: Pension Provisions (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Senator for raising the matter and I am pleased to be able to set out the factual position. It is important to say the terms and conditions of pension schemes have and continue to evolve over the years. New terms and conditions are introduced with effect from a specific date and apply to members of the scheme from that date onwards. Prior to 1 October 1976, where a member of the...

Seanad: Garda Deployment (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for raising the matter. I am afraid I am not as proficient as he is as Gaeilge and I hope he will forgive me if I respond in English. The position with regard to the provision of services in Irish by members of the Garda Síochána is an issue of some importance. The House is aware that the allocation of resources is a matter for the Commissioner and his...

Seanad: Garda Deployment (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I apologise as the additional information that should have been attached to the response has not been provided. I will ensure it is put in the Senator's pigeonhole. I have been informed by the Commissioner that he is examining the matter. I have no particular plans as Minister to create any difficulties in this regard. It may be just a review of how it operates in practice in the context...

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: That is a risky offer.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I apologise for the absence of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, who has asked me to take the matter on his behalf. In recent weeks, Rwanda commemorated the lives lost in the genocide 18 years ago. International partners, including Ireland, emphasised our admiration for the resilience displayed by the Rwandan people in the past two decades and...

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (18 Apr 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Senators who have tabled this motion. I am conscious that others wish to speak but I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the current review of our legislation on prostitution. I acknowledge the promptness of Senators in tabling this motion on the basis that we are about a week late in fulfilling our promise to publish a document that will form part of a consultative...