Results 11,801-11,820 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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...

Defence Forces Equipment. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: No.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 30 together. As the House is aware, the circumstances in which the Defence Forces may participate in overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. For participation to take place, the conditions known as the triple lock must be satisfied. According to the triple lock, an operation must be authorised or mandated by the...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: Our contribution in the eyes of the world will not be undermined. The world has shown great admiration for our contribution over the past 50 years which has been made within the constraints of the triple lock and which will continue. The rapid reaction proposal is one further element which consists of a relatively small group of 1,500 troops going in at five days' notice from the time the...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I am personally committed to the triple lock, as Deputy Gormley recognised, but I also speak for the Cabinet. That is Government policy. We will stick with the triple lock. In regard to Deputy Gormley's reference to À la carte members of battle groups, my understanding is that one cannot become an À la carte member of a battle group, one is either in or out. Our non-participation in common...

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: No, the triple lock is not written into the Constitution but non-participation in common defence will suffice in this regard.

Overseas Missions. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I do not share Deputy Gormley's pessimism.

Military Hospitals. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 42 and 55 together. The House will be aware that I have indicated my willingness to make the facilities at St. Bricin's military hospital available to the public health service. Representatives from the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Department of Health and Children have visited St. Bricin's Hospital to inspect the facilities there. I inspected the...

Military Hospitals. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I will take the last question first. The answer is "yes", St. Bricin's is primarily a military hospital and the military will always have priority there. Deputy Sherlock asked which Department would pay for the renovations. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that it is the Department of Health and Children. Regarding the amount of expenditure, as I stated, it would depend on the use to which...

Military Hospitals. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: If I understand the question the Deputy asked, the position is that the then Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, indicated in 2001 that St. Bricin's would be available. The relevant health authority looked at St. Bricin's and decided it would not be cost effective. A number of possible uses were considered. The first option, to turn it into a proper hospital such as an acute hospital, would have...

Military Hospitals. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: I assure Deputy Sherlock that whatever the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children want to do, they will have my full co-operation. I am waiting for them to finalise their processes. I cannot speak for them.

Military Hospitals. (26 May 2005)

Willie O'Dea: They have told me they will come back to me shortly.