Results 181-200 of 3,707 for speaker:Brian O'Shea

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Order in the Chamber, please.

Other Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: The Minister was dealing recently with the naval section of the Reserve Defence Forces. It was proposed it could become involved in some of the patrol work already done by the Naval Service through the purchase of a specific craft which would cost €1 million. When I last raised it, the Minister indicated to me that the craft in question may not be suitable for the adverse waters off the...

Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Since 1 January this year, how many people have left the medical corps for any reason? Has there been any new recruitment? Pending the implementation of the new structure, is the old structure becoming much less effective than it was? What has been happening in this regard?

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: The Minister says there will be some recruitment to the Army. In the Defence Forces generally, will there be any cadet intake this year? I ask this because the number of people retiring may result in an imbalance; we may lose a disproportionate number of officers compared to NCOs and privates. This raises the need for an effective organisation. In addition, it takes longer to train...

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: There have been reports in the past that young people from this part of the country were crossing the Border and joining the British Armed Forces. Is there any information available to the Minister to indicate that this is happening currently and, if so, to what extent?

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Against a background where RACO accepted the proposals and PDFORRA rejected them, is it possible the proposals could apply to the RACO members of the Defence Forces and not to the PDFORRA members and, thereby, be a recipe for division within the Defence Forces? That is a position that should be avoided at all costs.

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: With regard to these proposals, is there a prospect of structural changes in terms of the formation of the Defence Forces, the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps, particularly with regard to how they relate to one another? Is it likely there will be a more integrated approach between them? Furthermore, how will the Croke Park proposals affect the Department in terms of how it...

Defence Forces Equipment (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: There was a proposal that there should be a replacement vessel for Asgard II. This arose as a serious issue in my constituency recently. For clarification, am I correct to understand that the Minister is not actively considering such a proposal at this stage? Is this something the Minister will consider in the context of a sail training programme? The big interest from Waterford is due to...

Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: The Minister mentioned the Chad mission and the fact that the forces had to be withdrawn prematurely when the Government was committed to keeping them there. The Irish troops were certainly carrying out a very valuable and much needed role in that country. Is there any indication as to conditions there since the withdrawal of the Irish forces? Has the situation improved, deteriorated or...

Defence Forces Property (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: I take the point the Minister has made, that is to say, he is not in a position to make any definitive statements at this stage. Will the Minister give an indication of his thinking? We may put forward the proposition that this is not the time to sell property and that the market is flat. On the other hand, if there were a case to be made on financial grounds to close or to cease to use a...

Irish Red Cross Society (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding the reform of Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on matter. [30355/10]

Irish Red Cross Society (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Has the Minister reached a conclusion on whether an interim chairperson should be appointed? I raise this issue because I have received further negative correspondence regarding the atmosphere within the Red Cross. It has been put to me that a variety of proposals on terms and conditions were rejected, 19 to nil, by the staff. The bad press continues unabated. A mechanism must be found to...

Irish Red Cross Society (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: I take on board the Minister's comments and in no way would I suggest that the independence of the Red Cross should be interfered with. As a measure to resolve the issues and given the climate within that organisation, though, there is a strong case for the quick appointment of an interim chairperson with the necessary skills so that the body can function to its maximum potential. I do not...

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to reform the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on matter. [30356/10]

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Will the Minister not agree it is serious that the full complement in the Reserve Defence Forces on 1 January 2009 was 7,671, and had dropped to 6,394 by 31 March this year, a loss of 1,277? The McCarthy an bord snip nua report has been described by the chairperson of the representative association of the Reserve Defence Forces as a "sword of Damocles". The report recommended a reduction...

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: I have two final points. One is the issue which is of great concern to the representative association, that is, the appointment of a brigadier general to head up the organisation. My understanding of the Minister's responses to me on that was to the effect that he had no particular objection to this, off the top of his head. This is something that can be addressed on its own because, while...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 46: To ask the Minister for Defence when recruitment to the Army is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30151/10]

Written Answers — Cyber Security: Cyber Security (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that Ireland is properly prepared for any attempted cyber warfare or terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30157/10]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of visits organised by the Industrial Development Authority for foreign direct investors to each area here in June 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30335/10]

Written Answers — Court Accommodation: Court Accommodation (7 Jul 2010)

Brian O'Shea: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the provision of an extension courthouse in Waterford City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/10]