Results 321-340 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Following the publication of the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in July 2009, the recommendations relating to the Defence sector were given full consideration. With the exception of the recommendation to close the Equitation School, which has not been accepted, all of the main savings identified by the Special Group have been implemented, or...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy Report: Statements (14 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute briefly on the debate on the national spatial strategy. I listened to much of what the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, had to say, especially on the consultation that took place in the current round. I am surprised to note that the spatial strategy dates from 2002. I thought it was more recent. It has aroused a certain level of...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department has now completed a review of the contents of available files that were located following a review of file listings. Given that the initial question related to contracts that may have been placed up to seventy years ago, there was very little material found that referred to institutional laundries and much of what is available is incomplete. It is clear however from a review...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (13 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is firmly focused 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...

Marriages of Convenience (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teacht Barrett as ucht an ábhar seo a chur faoi bhráid na Dála agus deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar son an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Athchóirithe Dlí. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and I welcome the opportunity to deal with the issue of marriages of convenience contracted for the purposes of exploiting...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Ministerial Air Transport Service is provided by the Air Corps to facilitate members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements at home and abroad. The Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and the Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Learjet 45 has the capacity to carry 7 passengers and is mainly tasked with short and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Government decided on 1st July 2003 that the former Magee Barracks in Kildare Town would be among the State lands released to Kildare County Council for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The Department had been involved in the process of transferring ownership to Kildare County Council and a final Contract of Sale was sent to the Solicitors for Kildare...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: A strategy for the replacement of Naval Service Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) commenced in 2007 and following a two-stage tender competition a preferred bidder, Babcock Marine, was selected last year. During my visit to the Naval Base at Haulbowline last July, I announced that approval had been granted to proceed to contract placement. A contract has now been placed with Babcock Marine...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The number of persons employed in the Department is 359.29. The breakdown by grade and location is as follows: Grade Dublin Galway Civil DefenceBoardRoscrea Brussels* Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 2 Director 1 Principal 10.6 1 1 1 Assistant Principal 22.7 8 2 1 Accountant 1 Technical Officer II 1 Higher Executive Officer 33.46 17.8 4.7 1 Administrative...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Since I was appointed as Minister for Defence on 23rd March 2010, I have travelled on three separate occasions in my capacity as Minister for Defence. Information on this travel is set out below. Duration of Trip Destination Purpose of Visit 25th to 26th April 2010 Luxembourg A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers 23rd to 24th September 2010 Ghent, Belgium...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am advised by the Military authorities that an internal Commissioning From the Ranks competition was held in June 2007. Twenty four personnel were subsequently selected from the ranks of Junior and Senior NCO's and, following successful completion of training in the Cadet School, were commissioned as officers of the Permanent Defence Force in June 2008. A breakdown of the personnel...

Schools Building Projects (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Sheehan as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the Government's strategy for capital investment in school building projects and also...

Proposed Legislation (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. The Valuation Act 2001, which came into effect on 2 May 2002 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable. In regard to the Valuation Act 2001, the commissioner of valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties...

Regional Airports (12 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Coveney as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. The scheme to which the Deputy refers was introduced in 2006 in response to new mandatory EU guidelines on the provision of public funding for airports, including regional airports. Under this scheme, the regional airports may be considered for annual subvention in respect of operating costs incurred in...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (6 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Minister for Defence (Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D.): The information the Deputy has requested is set out in the table below. Vessel 2007 Patrol Days 2008 Patrol Days 2009 Patrol Days LE Eithne 188 179 177 LE Niamh 181 197 182 LE Róisín 214 176 165 LE Aisling 200 198 205 LE Aoife 181 198 159 LE Emer 207 178 159 LE Ciara 184 185 202 LE Orla 191 197 170 Total 1,661 days 1,658 days 1,588...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (6 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: The sail training vessel Asgard II sank in the Bay of Biscay on 11 September 2008. Grant-in-Aid in the sum of €800,000 was made available to Coiste an Asgard in the year 2009. Total expenditure for the year amounted to €353,877 of which €280,200 was allocated to salaries for crew and office staff. The balance was expended on other miscellaneous costs. It was intended to construct a...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 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 — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: Irish Language Training courses for the Department are directly funded by the Department of Finance (Training Civil Service Training and Development Centre, Gaeleagras). Four staff participated in Irish language training in 2010. In addition, in 2010, two staff were awarded scholarships which consisted of one weeks course in a Gaeltacht area. A payment of €125 is issued to the staff...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 Oct 2010)

Tony Killeen: EU Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security, and amending Directive 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC is required to be transposed by 21 August 2011. It will be...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (30 Sep 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence is aware of a number of fires that have taken place recently in Magee Barracks, Kildare Town, and is also aware that anti-social behaviour is taking place there. The Department has been in touch with An Garda Síochána concerning these matters and security fencing has been erected to prevent the occurrence of such behaviour. Further fencing will be erected in the...