Results 481-500 of 12,802 for speaker:Alan Shatter in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Archives (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Firstly I would like to again extend my sympathies to the families of the deceased.There have been three separate official investigations into this tragic accident. The first of these was conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport. Their Final Report was published on 24 January 2012 which set out their findings. It found that the probable cause of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Dialogue (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Mr. Patrick Anthony McCourt, at a number of events over the recent past and generally discussed issues relating to his office. In the period since his appointment on 7 November 2012, a number of meetings have taken place involving Mr. McCourt and senior officials from the Department of Defence. In addition, there is ongoing contact between staff from the Office of the ODF, the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks Closures (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Discussions are at an advanced stage for the sale of the former barracks in Clonmel to South Tipperary County Council and I expect that the sale will be finalised over the coming weeks. In that regard I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister of State Tom Hayes for the constructive role he played in progressing the sale of the Barracks to the Council. In relation to the future...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Proposed Legislation (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government provides for the initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Irish Red Cross to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances. To this end, my Department is continuing work on the review, in consultation with the Irish Red Cross Society. The review mainly relates to codification of the various legal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Battle Groups (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The statutory authority for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service overseas as part of an International Force, is set out in Section 2 of the Defence (Amendment)(No. 2) Act, 1960 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006. is provision is commonly referred to as the “triple lock” and comprises three requirements namely: - the authorisation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Twice a year Defence Ministers attend the formal Foreign Affairs Council. The formal Council meetings are held in Brussels or Luxembourg at the invitation of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. Informal meetings of Defence Ministers are also held twice a year, one during each European Union Presidency. The next meeting of the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 809 together. Again I am aware that this issue was discussed at the recent meeting Deputy Daly and yourself had with officials from my Department. As I have mentioned earlier an assessment of a select group of properties in the Curragh Camp is being completed. This assessment will inform the process of planning for the long term military use of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: A contract was signed in October, 2010 with Babcock International in the United Kingdom for the provision of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV’s) for the Naval Service. The first of the two ships to be called LE Samuel Beckett is a replacement for LE Emer which was decommissioned and sold late last year.The Sea Trials for LE Samuel Beckett are scheduled to take place in the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 821 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order including the protection of the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I would like to assure the Deputy that the use of the Irish language by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces is continually encouraged. In relation to the naming of the two new Naval Service ships, I considered that the policy for naming the ships should be examined. In doing so, I was of the view that the time was right for a change in our traditional approach in order to reflect...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Reserve Defence Force is currently undergoing a period of reform following publication of the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force in November, 2012. Since then, there has been significant progress made in implementing its recommendations. New organisational structures for the Reserve were introduced at the end of March, 2013 and a large number of under-strength Units...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Events (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: The development of the commemorative programme for the centenary period, to include World War I, is being co-ordinated on behalf of the Government by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D. I understand that these arrangements to mark the outbreak of the War are still under development.My Department and the Defence Forces are liaising closely with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. On 25 June 2013, the Government agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2013, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I met with the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group in July 2012 and they presented me with a copy of their report. I am currently in the process of finalising a detailed consideration of the matters raised by the Group insofar as they relate to this State and to the Garda Síochána. It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and I will then communicate directly with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Pobal is responsible, on behalf of my Department, for carrying out calls for and assessing applications for ERF grants. It is open to unsuccessful applicants to seek a review of the decision on their application. A staff member from Pobal, who was not involved in the original decision, is assigned to undertake the review. The recommendations of the reviewer are considered by the Pobal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: I met representatives of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group in July 2012 and they presented me with a copy of their report. I am in the process of finalising a detailed consideration of the matters raised by the Group in so far as they relate to this State and to the Garda Síochána. It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and I will then communicate directly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Pobal is responsible, on behalf of my Department, for carrying out calls for and assessing applications for ERF grants. It is open to unsuccessful applicants to seek a review of the decision on their application. A staff member from Pobal who was not involved in the original decision is assigned to undertake the review. The recommendations of the reviewer are considered by the Pobal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: Under the Coroners Act 1962, a Coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he or she is independent and neither I nor my Department has any role in individual cases. However, to be of assistance, general inquiries have been made in connection with the matter raised by the Deputy and I understand that the Coroner is awaiting a Post Mortem report in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (25 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: As I have indicated previously in response to questions on this issue, Ireland supports, in principle, the aims and terms of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. However, before putting the question of signing and ratifying the Convention to Cabinet, the legislative and administrative changes that might be required to...