Results 241-260 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 48 together. The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous charitable body with full powers to manage and administer its own affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. I have no function in the day-to-day administration of the Irish Red Cross and, as such, I do not get involved in the day-to-day running of its affairs. The engagement of...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Following a two-stage tender competition a contract has recently been awarded to the preferred bidder, Babcock Marine, for the provision of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service. The contract value is of the order of €100m. Preparations for the construction of these new vessels have commenced and the first new vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Units: Defence Forces Units (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: A letter was received in my office from the Secretary of the Pearse Battalion Association on 10 August, 2010. In the letter it was suggested that 62 Reserve Battalion be renamed 62 (Pearse) Reserve Battalion to uphold the memory of Pádraig Pearse. When the Reserve Defence Force was reorganised in October, 2005 it was decided to adopt a numerical unit designation only. This method of naming...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The question of the recruitment of non-Irish nationals to the Defence Forces is not a new one. Defence Force Regulations have always allowed for the recruitment of non-Irish nationals to the Defence Forces. I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as at 31 August 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 6,063 comprising 5,805...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Deployment: Defence Forces Deployment (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 55 together. The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out a structure enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a coordinated response to, major emergencies resulting from events such as severe weather. The Defence Forces are not a principal...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Ombudsman: Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. On 19 September 2005, Ms Paulyn Marrinan Quinn SC was appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Government, as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Her term of office was extended for a further three years from 19 September 2008. The function of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Representative Organisation: Defence Forces Representative Organisation (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: On Tuesday, 5 October 2010, I addressed the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). I sought to make my address relevant, positive and informative. I commenced by paying tribute to former Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley. He was a man who displayed exceptional leadership qualities, an extraordinary devotion to...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary of the 1916 Rising last met on Wednesday, 2nd December, 2009, for discussions and site visits to Glasnevin Cemetery and the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks to view projects relating to the 2016 Commemoration of the 1916 Rising. I hope to convene a meeting of the All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 226, 227 and 228 together. I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 30 September, 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 9,625 comprising 7,845 Army, 776 Air Corps and 1,004 Naval Service personnel. Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 215 together. I am advised by the Military authorities that a Military Police investigation into the matters referred to commenced following receipt of information from Mr Joe Higgins, M.E.P. on 24 March last. I expect to receive a full report on this investigation shortly. In order to afford due process and fair procedures to any persons who may be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. Responsibility for the prevention of crime, including people trafficking, rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The number of recruits enlisted in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the last three years are as follows: Army Naval Service Air Corps Total 2007 478 87 0 565 2008 441 66 0 507 2009 0 0 0 0 Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve the reduction of 3% in payroll costs that had been applied,...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department is currently examining a number of options for future deployment and in this regard, it has been in contact with the United Nations in relation to its requirements for missions. A number of options are being developed by Civilian and Military management and subject, to their advice, I would expect to be in a position to consider the proposals and bring forward recommendations...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Minister for Defence, (Mr. Tony Killeen T.D.); There are 50 overholders living in military accommodation. I refer the Deputy to Question No 150 of the 2nd June 2010 (Reference No 23757/10) which stated: "The Department has had three meetings with Kildare County Council over the past two years to discuss, amongst other things, the issue of the continued occupation of married quarters by...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 224 together. There has been very significant investment in equipment for the Defence Forces in recent years covering the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. The level of investment has ensured that Defence Forces personnel have the most modern and effective range of equipment and technology available, on a par with the best international practice and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Members of the Permanent Defence Force receive ongoing training to enable them to meet the challenges arising from the changing defence and security environment, and to participate fully in UN, EU and other UN mandated missions. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training, designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their...

Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: There is a philosophical aspect to the Deputy's question as to whether the ombudsman is the final arbiter which we should not get into. The first recommendation in 2010 was received on 13 May 2010, the last on 4 October 2010. These are relatively new and some work must be done on them. Some decisions and determinations have been made in 2010 relating to cases disposed of by the ombudsman in...

Defence Forces Ombudsman (21 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: There are three potential outcomes when the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces examines a case. Let us say the ombudsman recommends completely in favour of the complainant. If the Minister partially accepts that, he has rejected the ombudsman's recommendation. In some instances the ombudsman recommends partial redress for the complainant. If the Minister only accepts some of that, he is...