Results 11,781-11,800 of 12,637 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am satisfied that none of the members of State boards under the auspices of my Department is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company. I am in the process of appointing a new Civil Defence Board as the three year term of office of 12 of the members of the first Civil Defence Board expired with effect from 5 June 2005.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Expenditure incurred by my Department, including the Defence Forces where available, in respect of courier or packaging services in each of the past five years is as set out in the following table. Year An Post SDS Iarnród Éireann FASTRACK DHL Total Expenditure â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ 2000 44,870.07 # — — # 44,870.07 # 2001 52,368.09 — 2,578.09...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (14 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I understand an application for a refund of income tax from the person concerned in respect of absences on sick leave for which he received social welfare benefit is being processed by the Revenue Commissioners. The person concerned has been notified of the position.

Written Answers — Military Inquiries: Military Inquiries (14 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I again convey my deepest sympathy to the family on the loss of their son. As the Deputy may be aware, a Naval Service officer held meetings with the parents at the office of their legal representative to facilitate their access to the report of the military court of inquiry into their son's tragic death. The meetings were intended to assist the family by explaining the court of inquiry...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I did not travel abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Written Answers — Airspace Infringements: Airspace Infringements (14 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Unauthorised infringements by air traffic from Weston Airport represent a hazard to all airspace users, whether military or civil aircraft, that legally transit through restricted military airspace. All infringements are noted by the Air Corps and the more serious infringements are reported to the appropriate body, the Irish Aviation Authority, for its attention and for any action which it...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (14 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: During the period 30 May to 1 June, I visited Irish troops serving with KFOR in Kosovo, and EUFOR in Bosnia Herzegovina. During my visit to EUFOR, I met with Lord Ashdown, the high representative for Bosnia Herzegovina. We had a wide-ranging discussion which included the current situation in the area and the prospects for further developments and also the question of the opening of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: In so far as my Department is concerned, no commissions, inquiries or tribunals have been initiated since 1995.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Jun 2005)

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. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (1 Jun 2005)

Willie O'Dea: My Department currently has no commissioned reports awaiting publication.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question related to the military hardware to be used by the EU battle groups. I have told him in quite reasonable language that the type of military hardware that will be used will depend on the mission in which a particular battle group is engaged. If it is involved in mainly humanitarian tasks, it will be the type of equipment to which I referred. If it is involved in a...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Last Monday, a meeting of Defence Ministers was held in Brussels. Of the many countries which will participate in battle groups, none intends to increase defence expenditure and neither does Ireland. A requirement catalogue which sets out the possible weaponry requirements of battle groups in operations will be finalised under the EU Presidency. In addition, an organisation, the European...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Drug abuse has long been recognised as a serious and escalating problem in our society and while there have been relatively few instances of drug related problems within the Defence Forces, it is recognised that the Defence Forces, as a component of the wider community, mirror the community at large. The implications of drug abuse in an organisation where personnel have access to firearms are...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to the last question is "yes". On the question of which drugs are tested for, a controlled drug is as specified in the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 and includes any substance, product or preparation that is declared by order of the Government to be a controlled drug for the purpose of the Act. As I mentioned earlier, 2,418...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: The answer to the latter question is "yes". They are immediately stood down but have access to an appeals procedure which I can communicate to the House or the Deputy if he so wishes. I do not know the answer to the question on passive smoking of cannabis. In theory, it could give rise to a positive test result but, as I have stated, an appeals procedure is available. People must be given the...

Defence Forces Personnel. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with Deputy Finian McGrath. As I said to Deputy Sherlock, in terms of access to weapons, it would be a serious matter if there were a problem of widespread drug abuse in the Army. That is the reason for the test, which acts as a deterrent. The consequences, as Deputy McGrath noted, are serious but the sanctions, if one is caught, are also significant. The reaction of personnel has...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7, 21 and 41 together. The Air Corps has a 40-aircraft complement comprising 14 helicopters and 26 fixed-wing aircraft. The type and age of the aircraft is set out in the tabular statement. In January 2005, two contracts were signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps at a cost of over €61 million. At a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I agree with the Deputy that the strongest possible Air Corps is necessary. The eight Pilatus aircraft which we acquired last year are replacing seven Marchetti aircraft which had an average age of 28 years and were becoming obsolete. While six new helicopters will replace 12 old aircraft, lower maintenance demands and greater efficiency will allow them to deliver nearly twice the flying...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: It is not currently envisaged.

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: While the agreement is not yet finalised, I am advised that it is almost concluded. The question of a dedicated air ambulance service is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Health and Children. There are plans, however, on foot of the service level agreement to involve the Air Corps. The detailed service level agreement will set out the details of the specific capabilities...