Results 261-280 of 610 for speaker:Tom Kitt in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Random Drug Testing: Random Drug Testing (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Defence Forces policy in relation to Drug Testing has not changed. This policy is based on the premise that unlawful possession, supply, or use of a controlled drug is incompatible with membership of the Defence Forces. Drug and Substance abuse, because of its insidious and addictive nature, and because of the possible residual effects on the abuser, is particularly dangerous in the...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 33 together. KFOR was established on 10 June 1999 in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244, for an initial period of twelve months, to continue thereafter unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise. KFOR's mandate is to establish a secure environment in Kosovo conducive to the implementation of refugee return and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Accommodation: Defence Forces Accommodation (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: In referring to "standards" as they apply to living in accommodation there are two separate aspects which must be addressed i.e. Building Standards and Accommodation Standards. In relation to Building Standards, all accommodation provided to Officers of the Defence Forces adhere to National Building Standards and the appropriate Health and Safety Standards. In relation to "Accommodation...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Lisbon Treaty will have little or no impact on the Defence Forces as an organisation. The Treaty does make some amendments to existing provisions on security and defence. However, it does not alter their essential features. Firstly, national security will continue to remain the sole responsibility of each member state. Secondly, the Treaty will not have any impact on Ireland's...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Legal Costs: Defence Forces Legal Costs (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Costs paid in any particular year do not necessarily relate to the cases for which compensation has been paid in that year. This is because there is a time lag in submitting and agreeing costs in any particular case. Compensation claims are dealt with on behalf of the Department either by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor or by the State Claims Agency as appropriate. I am fully...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: A claim for an increase in Overseas Allowance was received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme (C&A scheme) for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The claim has been the subject of correspondence between the Department and the Representative Association. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A...

Written Answers — Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 42 together. The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. The...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Review: Defence Forces Review (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: In accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Monitoring Group's report, "Response to the Challenge of a Workplace", a review group was established in February this year to review progress within the Defence Forces on the implementation of the recommendations of the original Doyle report. The group is working under the chairmanship of Dr. Doyle and includes representatives of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: There are no proposals for cutbacks in the level of services provided by or through my Department in 2008. The gross total allocation for my Department in 2008 is €1,078m, comprising €888m in the Defence Vote and €190m in the Army Pensions Vote. This represents an increase of 7% on the 2007 allocation. About 70% of the Defence Estimate is expended on pay and allowances for an average...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The person to whom the Deputy refers was not involved in the mission-specific briefing conducted by the Defence Forces for members of the Defence Forces about to deploy to the EU-led mission in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic, known as EUFOR TCHAD/RCA. This mission-specific briefing was conducted by the United Nations Training School Ireland (UNTSI), Curragh, from 10 to...

Written Answers — Public Information Campaigns: Public Information Campaigns (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 49 together. The Public Information and Awareness Campaign on Emergency Planning will be formally launched by An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., on Monday next, the 14th of April, in the National Emergency Coordination Centre. The campaign follows the outcome of market research conducted in 2006 that showed that a majority of people were unaware of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, or Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONET) has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. ONET is dedicated to looking after the welfare of all ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. A main objective of ONET is to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and women...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 45 together. During the lifetime of the 29th Dáil an All-Party Consultation Group on the commemoration of the 1916 Rising was established in relation to official preparations for the re-instatement of the traditional military parade at Easter and the commemorative programme to be put in place in coming years in relation to the centenary of the Easter...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 51 together. All members of the Defence Forces are advised to report any inappropriate contacts or requests linked to criminality, to their Commanding Officers. Such incidents will be dealt with by the Military Authorities and where necessary will be passed to the Gardaí. The Defence Forces do not openly discuss specific incidents that may have a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: There are no Defence Forces personnel working as Dental Hygienists at present. Two persons are currently serving in the Defence Forces who had been trained as Dental Hygienists, at public expense. Both of these were subsequently re-assigned to other duties on promotion.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The position is that there are a number of physical and medical standards laid down by the Military Authorities for entry to the Defence Forces. These requirements are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces. The Medical Corps...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: As part of the Defence Forces deployment to the UN mandated EU-led mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, it is intended to deploy a Dental Officer and a Dental Surgery Attendant to CHAD. Experience in Liberia has shown that even among personnel who are dentally fit, unforeseen dental health issues can arise which, if not taken care of as they arise, can lead to...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: Minister O'Dea first wrote to the President of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams, M.P., M.L.A., on 3 November 2005 requesting the removal, from a website associated with that party, of a range of items bearing the title "Óglaigh na hÉireann" which were being offered for sale on the site. This letter was acknowledged on November 11th 2005, noting that Mr Adams was away on business. There was no...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: The Memorial being designed by the artist, Mr. Brian King, is a complex art piece comprising many components, the four main components being, stone, steel, glass and bronze. Each individual component is crafted by specialists and the artist has worked closely with the various craftspeople to ensure precision in each component part to ensure minimum delay in constructing the piece. The...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (10 Apr 2008)

Tom Kitt: During the period of the 4th — 6th March 2008, Minister Willie O'Dea visited troops serving with EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and met the Senior Irish Officer (SIO) EUFOR and the Irish Contingent Commander. There are currently 29 countries contributing to EUFOR and the force now numbers some 2,500 troops. Ireland contributes 45 members of the Irish Defence Forces to EUFOR. The Minister...