Results 1,821-1,840 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Based on the medical requirement across the Defence Forces as a whole, there is a current requirement for approximately 32 doctors within the Defence Forces Medical Corps. I am advised by the military authorities that there are 18 Doctors currently serving with the Defence Forces. Against this backdrop, during 2013, a total of 42 medical practices, including those of 9 retired military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 34, 150 and 156 together. As of 01 February 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 409 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. Details of the average monthly deployments overseas in the past five years are contained...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battlegroups (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Following Government approval, Ireland will participate in the Nordic Battlegroup in 2015 and the German led Battlegroup in 2016. The Nordic Battlegroup will comprise Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway, Estonia and possibly Lithuania and Latvia. The German led Battlegroup will comprise Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 15 together. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established on 31 May 1974 under UN Security Council Resolution 350 in order to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. By its latest resolution 2131 of 18 December 2013, the Security Council stressed the obligation of both Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 17 and 24 together. My Department is engaged on an ongoing building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other Government Departments, must take into account the current difficult economic...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: During the period 25 to 29 November 2013, I visited Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. On the first day of my visit to the Middle East, I met with Fayez Ghosen, the Lebanese Minister for Defence, who highlighted the enormous burden placed on the Lebanese Government by the Syrian crisis. Minister Ghosen stressed that particular problems had arisen in health, education and security and also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Green Paper on Defence (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Green Paper on Defence, which was published in July 2013, initiated a public consultation process which will inform the development of the next White Paper on Defence. A total of 122 submissions were received during the consultation phase. As part of the consultative process, a number of people who made written submissions were invited to meet with civil and military staff of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the level of equipment currently available to the Defence Forces enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces is a matter that is kept under constant review at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces, through their joint participation in the High Level Planning and Procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Archives (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Curragh Military Museum collects, safeguards, holds in trust, researches, develops and interprets collections of objects relating to the Defence Forces Military Heritage and the local Curragh environment for the public benefit. It is dedicated to all Military personnel and civilians who have served in any capacity on the Curragh and it is hoped that visitors to the Museum will gain a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: A total of one hundred and twenty-five (125) members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently deployed to the Golan Heights in Syria. These personnel include 119 personal deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and six (6) personnel deployed as UN Military Observers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) to assist UNDOF. No members of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,236, comprising, 7,434 Army, 779 Air Corps and, 1,023 Naval Service personnel. Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of each of the three...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that there are a total of 27 aircraft operating from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. Of this total, 3 aircraft are operated by the Air Corps for An Garda Síochána related activities; namely two EC 135 Helicopters and 1 Fixed Wing Defender 4000 aircraft. The remaining 24 aircraft, 16 Fixed Wing and 8 Rotary, are available to the Air Corps. The sixteen Fixed Wing aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The current Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF), Mr. Patrick Anthony McCourt, was appointed with effect from 7 November 2012. In the period since his appointment, a number of meetings have taken place involving Mr. McCourt and senior officials from the Department of Defence. In addition, there is ongoing contact between staff from the Office of the ODF, the Defence Forces and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Gender Balance Issues (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Significant progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: An Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Since 5 February, 2003, the Gardaí have requested support...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Common Security and Defence Policy (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The operation and implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is separate and distinct from a European common defence. Ireland participates fully in CSDP and in the related institutional arrangements within the European Union. Ireland contributes to CSDP civil and military missions, and participates in cooperative arrangements within the EU for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies including severe weather events. The involvement of the Defence Forces arises from requests for assistance from such Agencies in its Aid to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,236, comprising 7,434 Army, 779 Air Corps and 1,023 Naval Service personnel. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. I am satisfied that the required operational strength and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 15 on 5 February, 2014. To date, 680 applications have been received under the ex gratia scheme which was established by Government for the benefit of those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, St Mary's Training Centre, Stanhope Street and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (6 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order, made on 20 January 2012, following a comprehensive and detailed examination under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Having submitted an application for leave to remain in the State under section 3 of the...