Results 13,061-13,080 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd
- Post Office Network (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I would be very happy to take the views of the Deputies and convey them to the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte. I know he will take account of them and ensure they are communicated directly to An Post. Would it make sense to arrange a meeting with it to discuss the business propositions made by the Deputies? If there is an alternative it ought to be considered. If it has not been aware of what...
- Post Office Network (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: There may be information which has not been given, apart from sensitive commercial information, such as the number of transactions and activities which should be made available.
- Post Office Network (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: It should be accountable to the community. I will ensure the views of the Deputies are expressed to the Minister and communicated to An Post.
- Defence Forces Equipment (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: As I said in response to an earlier question, over â¬87 million has been spent already from moneys received from the sale of barracks closed and sold under the Fianna Fáil Administration. That money was ring-fenced and any moneys received from future sales of barracks will continue to be ring-fenced to the Defence Forces Vote. With regard to how the money will be spent this year, some...
- Defence Forces Equipment (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: Absolutely. Perhaps I did not make it sufficiently clear but all money that comes from the sale of barracks will be ring-fenced for the Defence Forces and for the purchase of equipment. With regard to barracks that are supposed to be closed, the Department has been in contact with various statutory agencies around the country and discussions are ongoing on those properties. If other...
- Defence Forces Equipment (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I said a ten-year equipment development plan for the Defence Forces was completed in 2009 to provide a way forward.
- Defence Forces Equipment (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is that the provision in the budget for 2012 is â¬27.5 million. This takes everything into account and is a significant amount of money to be spent in this area this year.
- Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 20 together. Ireland has offered, through the United Nations standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations....
- Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Troy is right judging by what we see in the media every day. The number of deaths is appalling and civilians are suffering significant casualties. It is not the UN that is the problem. The problem lies with two countries, Russia and China because they have not consented to a UN security resolution. In the absence of the resolution, we cannot send forces to Syria. To attempt to do...
- Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: The key point is that our seven personnel are not involved in combat. They serve in the headquarters where they provide services and information relating to the improvised explosive devices. All our army personnel are professional soldiers. They are military personnel and are effectively equipped to deal with their jobs as soldiers in whatever capacity they serve. Notwithstanding whatever...
- Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I will be happy to get that information for the Deputy but I do not have it with me. That is an important question. I am quite sure I can get the answer for the Deputy.
- Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: During each EU Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. Last November my colleague the Minister for Defence attended the formal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers. The operation commanders of the three current EU-led missions were also in attendance. Discussions were focused on these current operations and future proposed...
- Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: When a request is made for Ireland to participate in a mission, the issues that arise are dealt with on a case by case basis. They are an assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response; consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy; the degree of risk involved; the extent to which the required skills or characteristics...
- Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I take Deputy Stanton's comments on board. I agree that is a serious issue. This is the first time we have been asked if we can assist in the provision of an autonomous vessel protection detachment, AVPD. I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Minister.
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 17 together. Arising from the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure, the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, was reduced to 9,500 personnel. In response to this reduced strength ceiling, my colleague, the Minister for Defence, initiated a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve. A three brigade...
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Troy for his comments; I will inform the Minister that his location of choice is Athlone.
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I am not surprised. This fundamental reorganisation of the Defence Forces is a significant undertaking and a range of alternative approaches must be considered. The Minister previously outlined that this work will take some months to complete. Accordingly, the detailed effect of changes arising from the reorganisation, including the implications for levels of rank establishments which the...
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: I do not have a briefing note on that matter but the Minister has instructed both the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff to present options. I will bring the issue of the Green Paper to the attention of the Minister.
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: No, they are options.
- Defence Forces Review (14 Mar 2012)
Fergus O'Dowd: This is exactly what the Minister is doing. The Chief of Staff is in charge of the Defence Forces and it is right and proper that the Minister has requested the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department to come back with options. It is not the Minister's job to micro-manage every aspect as this is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. However, any good commander will...