Results 1-11 of 11 for defence forces strength speaker:Billy Timmins

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Billy Timmins: ...to genuflect to the common good and theorise about compassion, history shows us that in the final analysis self-interest will always prevail. Although generally unspoken this is the main driving force behind our foreign policy formulation. Such a practice is not necessarily a bad thing but in ideal circumstances it intersects with the common good. The Lisbon treaty presents such a case....

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Billy Timmins: ...let some of the issues go unchallenged. Some issues also went unchallenged by politicians on the "Yes" side. The one that really gets to me is the suggestion that we would lose half our voting strength on the European Council. One could equally make the claim that our vote would double. However that went unchallenged by politicians and commentators. The National Forum on Europe and the...

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the commitment given in the White Paper on Defence to have a Defence Forces strength of 10,500 plus 250 in training; if this commitment has been honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38350/06]

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: I note from the Estimates for the Department of Defence that the total Defence budget is similar to the increase in health expenditure. It is a small budget. The commitments placed on the Defence Forces have increased since the publication of the White Paper. A solemn commitment was given by the former Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, of a strength of 10,500 plus 250 personnel in training....

Defence Forces Strength. (16 Nov 2006)

Billy Timmins: The Minister mentioned that when the White Paper was published the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 11,500 but that due to the cutbacks in the public service, the strength of the Defence Forces was reduced to 10,500 and the provision for the 250 personnel in training was no longer maintained. Were there any cutbacks in the number of civilians in the Department of Defence in that...

Overseas Missions. (12 Oct 2006)

Billy Timmins: The troops will be leaving around 31 October. Does the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, plan to visit the troops before Christmas or will he visit the observers already out there before the troops are deployed? The Minister will be aware that this additional commitment, which we in the Fine Gael Party support, will place additional strain on resources. Does he plan to increase the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (11 Oct 2006)

Billy Timmins: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces including personnel in training. [32356/06]

Overseas Missions: Motion. (11 Oct 2006)

Billy Timmins: Fine Gael supports this motion and the deployment of a contingent of the Defence Forces to Lebanon on service with the United Nations interim force. Ireland has a long and distinguished record of service both with the UN and in Lebanon and we should play a role in underpinning stability and supporting the ceasefire in the region. Originally, UNIFIL was created by the UN Security Council in...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (26 May 2005)

Billy Timmins: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Defence the agreed strength of the Defence Forces according to the White Paper; the current strength of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17478/05]

Defence Forces Strength. (21 Apr 2005)

Billy Timmins: If I understand that correctly, the Naval Service is under strength, going by the agreed figures of the White Paper. My understanding is that in addition to the 10,500 members of the Permanent Defence Force there should be 250 recruits in training. Where do we currently stand regarding those figures? If the Minister of State has not got the figures I can get them later.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (1 Mar 2005)

Billy Timmins: Question 378: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6809/05]