Results 12,281-12,300 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Bill provides that the Defence Forces ombudsman will be appointed to that office by the President acting on the recommendation of the Government. This mirrors the mode of appointment of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. The amendment would require the person appointed to the office of Defence Forces ombudsman to be appointed in a similar mode to other holders of statutory offices...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The legislation provides for a period not exceeding seven years with provision for a possible second and subsequent term of appointment. The amendments in the name of Senator Hayes would provide for a fixed term of appointment of seven years with the possibility of one second term of appointment only. The second term would presumably also be for a fixed term of seven years. That would amount...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: He will have time to show Senator O'Meara around the little towns and villages of County Tipperary such as Nenagh and Roscrea.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: From Senator Brian Hayes's comments, I am prepared to examine the amendment's provisions. However, one runs into difficulties when micro-managing these matters in primary legislation. A suitable person for the office of ombudsman may not want to serve for a shorter period than seven years. A statutory provision requiring an ombudsman to serve for seven years may discourage suitable candidates...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: ——and that such plans are to give the Government super powers over and above what it already has. Flexibility is needed on this matter so the best people apply for the post. If Senator Brian Hayes's amendment, as worded, is accepted, an ombudsman appointed for seven years who was good would have to do a second term. Many a good person refused a second term in Áras an Uachtaráin because...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I will re-examine the amendment but I cannot accept it in its current form. There may be a middle way which can be examined on Report Stage.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I have no one in particular in mind for the job. It will be publicly advertised as quickly as possible and the most suitable applicant will be selected.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: There is no bar.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I take on board what has been said by Senators about the potential reluctance of people to come forward and make a complaint. We have engaged in a number of initiatives to deal with that into which I will go if Senators wish. In regard to this amendment, it is an essential principle of the legislation that, subject to the provisions of the Bill, the Defence Forces ombudsman may investigate an...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: An individual has been remanded for trial by court martial on charges relating to alleged offences against military law under section 141 of the Defence Act 1954. Section 141 relates to the making of a false accusation against, or the making of a false statement affecting the character of, another member of the Defence Forces, knowing such accusation or statement to be false. A summary of...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Primary responsibility for maritime protection lies with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. When requested by the Irish Coast Guard, the Naval Service and the maritime squadron of the Air Corps provide such services as may be necessary in an aid to the civil authority role. The Naval Service, as the primary seagoing agency of the State, also monitors activity...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 24 and 26 together. On 26 July 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, officially launched the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan which is the start of a process that will radically change the structure and configuration of the reserve while preserving its traditional strengths. These include such things as the spirit of voluntary...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 71 together. The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare and Clancy Barracks, Dublin. The sale of approximately 91 acres comprising Lot 1, Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig,...

Written Answers — International Terror Attacks: International Terror Attacks (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the comments of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces referred to by the Deputy. These comments were made in the context of the launch of the Defence Forces annual report for 2003 when the Chief of Staff explained the need for the Defence Forces to make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the State may be at risk notwithstanding the fact that the risk may be seen...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: It will be possible to make land available to facilitate the extension of Leitrim Cemetery, Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement 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 on decentralisation also provides for the transfer of Defence Forces headquarters staff to the...

Written Answers — Overflight Approval: Overflight Approval (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 44 and 45 together. Responsibility for the approval of overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft lies with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the case of civil aircraft and civil airports, the responsibility lies with my colleague the Minister for Transport. I have no role in the investigation of any allegations regarding any...

Written Answers — Drug Testing Programme: Drug Testing Programme (12 Oct 2004)

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...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the comments of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces referred to by the Deputy. These comments were made in the context of the launch of the Defence Forces annual report for 2003, when he outlined the new type of equipment and training needed to safeguard further personnel being deployed on overseas service. In this regard, the Chief of Staff acknowledged that the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I do not anticipate that I will bring any legislation before the House during the current session. The heads of the Curragh of Kildare Bill were approved by Government on 21 July 2004 and the Attorney General has been formally requested to initiate the drafting of the Bill. I anticipate that the Bill will be ready for publication by mid-2005.