Results 261-280 of 4,808 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Alan Shatter

Other Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The case of the death of Private Doherty, as well as the disappearance of Private Joyce to which the Deputy refers, has already been outlined in my reply to a priority question earlier. As I mentioned to the Deputy in the Dáil last month, I am always willing to meet the families. I received a request to meet with the family and my office has been in touch with them in this regard....

Other Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Having read through all the files and papers, there were clearly several issues of relevance to the tragic events that occurred on the day in question. It is also quite clear to me that a report relating to these matters was severely critical of the organisation surrounding two privates being on their own at the location in question. Speaking from memory of the report, there were issues...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: As I have said previously to the Deputy, having dealt with the overall issue in my initial reply, it is my Department's policy to review each over-holder situation on a case by case basis. Obviously, as each case is different, I cannot pre-empt considerations that may be given. As the Deputy knows, where people are very elderly and do not have alternative accommodation, the Department has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: It has been the practice to meet, where appropriate, the individuals occupying the houses as opposed to some nominated representatives. I must emphasise what I said earlier, namely, that individual circumstances will be carefully examined. The Deputy is as aware as I am that there are some individuals occupying these houses who have been there for many years and who are quite clearly - to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: There are no practical day-to-day difficulties of which I am aware. The Defence Forces have managed during my period in office to come in annually on budget in accordance with the Estimates prescribed for them. I am sorry if the Deputy thinks I am engaged in party political sniping. I understand that members of his party, including his party leader, think the world started on 9 March 2011...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I welcome the recent meeting Deputies Daly and Wallace had with officials from my Department on the issue. I hope the exchange of views and the explanations given were helpful and worthwhile from their perspective. As I have said previously, military personnel are obliged, under Defence Forces regulations, to vacate married quarters within 21 days of retiring or being discharged from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy is aware, arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, at 9,500 personnel. Following that decision it was decided that it was not viable to retain a three-brigade structure within a strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel. A major reorganisation encompassing a reduction in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the Defence Forces and the difficult financial circumstances that have afflicted the State as a result of the total economic and fiscal ineptitude of the Deputy's own party in government, the Defence Forces have been doing an extraordinary job. The reorganisation was necessary in order to ensure the Defence Forces were organised in a manner that reflected the objective...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: In order to be eligible for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force as a general service recruit, applicants must meet all of the specified criteria and standards for entry as laid down in Defence Force regulations and the associated administrative instructions. In this regard, paragraph 131 of Administrative Instruction A9 provides that "Tattooing above the collar of the shirt is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I understand our Defence Forces are not in any way unique in this area. A number of armies, including the British, Australian and US armies, have a similar rule. I note what the Deputy said and I will look into the matter further. I am not familiar with the individual mentioned by the Deputy. I will make inquiries with the Defence Forces along the lines raised by the Deputy and I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: If the Deputy has a letter he is very welcome to furnish it either directly to me or to my private secretary. He can simply pass on the letter with a compliment slip. There is no need for a covering letter, other than just to confirm it is from the Deputy, and I will revert to him after I have furnished it to the Defence Forces and sought an appropriate response.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: In what year did that meeting take place?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: In response to the Deputy's initial question, I have already outlined the chronology of events. I went further on from 2001 and, unfortunately and tragically, no further information emerged. In 2007 the then Minister for Defence visited Lebanon and met the Lebanese Minister for Defence. He raised with him the disappearance of Private Joyce. The Lebanese Minister for Defence assured the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have no difficulty in bringing to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what the Deputy has had to say. I am sure our ambassador will, in so far as she can, look into the possibility of making progress. Should I find myself visiting Ramallah on the West Bank again, I will have no difficulty in raising the matter, but I do not have any knowledge that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, I cannot comment; it would be inappropriate for me to do so during the negotiations. What he is raising and, in effect, protesting against is a policy that his party stood over in government for over 14 years. It is quite extraordinary that he should now be exercised about this matter from the Opposition benches. What I am exercised about is ensuring we follow...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: We are recruiting 400 new members to the Defence Forces this year by virtue of the fact that certain numbers retire annually and that we can bring new young people into the Defence Forces and give them job opportunities that are not currently available to them.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Fatalities (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, Private Kevin Joyce was killed on 27 April 1981 in the village of Dayr Ntar in south Lebanon. An observation post at Dayr Ntar, near As Sultaniyah, manned by Private Hugh Doherty and Private Kevin Joyce came under attack. Private Doherty was later found dead from gunshot wounds and Private Joyce was missing. Some equipment was also missing. The attackers are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Like any Member of the House, I am anxious to ensure those who have given long service in the Defence Forces have every possible opportunity to obtain alternative employment when they leave. Many leave the Defence Forces having gained a great many skills that facilitate obtaining employment. In the context of the age issue, it is a serious matter to ensure we have an appropriate age profile...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990s and the subject of severe criticism in a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group, EAG. One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on...

Criminal Law (Incest) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Maybe not; it might be a little quicker.