Results 1-20 of 5,319 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (5 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Department's website, www.defence.ie is up to date. The site is updated by the information systems branch as required. All Departmental press releases are published on the website as they as issued by the Department's press office.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces headquarters decentralisation implementation group is planning for the relocation of those elements of the headquarters that will be relocated to the Curragh. Some elements of Defence Forces headquarters will also be relocated to Newbridge with my Department. The relocation will take place in two to three years' time. A site for the headquarters has been selected and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Public Works is currently in discussions with Kildare County Council regarding the possible acquisition of a site in Newbridge for the Department's new headquarters. A total of 385 personnel, of whom 78 are currently serving in the Department, have declared an interest in relocating to Newbridge. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: An individual has been remanded for trial by court martial on charges relating to alleged offences against military law under section 141 of the Defence Act 1954. Section 141 relates to the making of a false accusation against, or the making of a false statement affecting the character of, another member of the Defence Forces, knowing such accusation or statement to be false. A summary of...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Primary responsibility for maritime protection lies with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. When requested by the Irish Coast Guard, the Naval Service and the maritime squadron of the Air Corps provide such services as may be necessary in an aid to the civil authority role. The Naval Service, as the primary seagoing agency of the State, also monitors activity...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 24 and 26 together. On 26 July 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, officially launched the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan which is the start of a process that will radically change the structure and configuration of the reserve while preserving its traditional strengths. These include such things as the spirit of voluntary...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 71 together. The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare and Clancy Barracks, Dublin. The sale of approximately 91 acres comprising Lot 1, Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig,...

Written Answers — International Terror Attacks: International Terror Attacks (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the comments of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces referred to by the Deputy. These comments were made in the context of the launch of the Defence Forces annual report for 2003 when the Chief of Staff explained the need for the Defence Forces to make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the State may be at risk notwithstanding the fact that the risk may be seen...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: It will be possible to make land available to facilitate the extension of Leitrim Cemetery, Glen of Imaal, County Wicklow.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. The Government decision on decentralisation also provides for the transfer of Defence Forces headquarters staff to the...

Written Answers — Overflight Approval: Overflight Approval (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 44 and 45 together. Responsibility for the approval of overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft lies with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the case of civil aircraft and civil airports, the responsibility lies with my colleague the Minister for Transport. I have no role in the investigation of any allegations regarding any...

Written Answers — Drug Testing Programme: Drug Testing Programme (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: Drug abuse has long been recognised as a serious and escalating problem in our society and while there have been relatively few instances of drug related problems within the Defence Forces, it is recognised that the Defence Forces, as a component of the wider community, mirror the community at large. The implications of drug abuse in an organisation where personnel have access to firearms are...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I am aware of the comments of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces referred to by the Deputy. These comments were made in the context of the launch of the Defence Forces annual report for 2003, when he outlined the new type of equipment and training needed to safeguard further personnel being deployed on overseas service. In this regard, the Chief of Staff acknowledged that the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I do not anticipate that I will bring any legislation before the House during the current session. The heads of the Curragh of Kildare Bill were approved by Government on 21 July 2004 and the Attorney General has been formally requested to initiate the drafting of the Bill. I anticipate that the Bill will be ready for publication by mid-2005.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The White Paper on defence in February 2000 provided for an overall strength of 10,500 for the Defence Forces with the option of an additional 250 recruits in training at any one time. In the event, no operational requirement to exercise the additional 250 option arose. It was decided, having regard to training requirements, an assessment of the defence and security environment and for...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers held at Noordwijk in the Netherlands on 17 September 2004 was attended by my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith. I welcome the opportunity to continue with my predecessor's practice of ensuring that the House is kept abreast of developments in the European security and defence policy, ESDP, and on issues discussed at ministerial meetings. The...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The 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, meaning in practice to assist the Garda Síochána, when requested, which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 72 together. The White Paper on defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces to maintain the strength at a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 73 together. My vision for the development of the Defence Forces and my priorities are set out in the White Paper on Defence and in the programme for Government. I intend to follow through on the implementation of the White Paper on Defence and the other commitments we have made to the ongoing modernisation and reform process and to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (12 Oct 2004)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for internal security rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. Defence Forces Border operations are undertaken as aid to civil power, ATCP, requests. The Defence Forces also assist the Garda with prisoner escorts, cash escorts and explosives escorts. The demands on...