Results 401-420 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am always reluctant to be specific about a timeframe. In this instance, however, I am fairly confident that the review will be completed this month and that the initial discussions with the Department of Finance might take place within such a timeframe. Otherwise, the review will run until September, as Deputies will be aware, but that situation is undesirable. I am hopeful, if not...

Defence Forces Strength (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: As Deputies will be aware, we have already commenced recruitment to the Naval Service, the area in most urgent need. Those new recruits will be coming on stream shortly. The next two phases will involve a cadet class - I have not completed discussions in this regard - and an intake to the military. I hope to move on this process towards the end of the year. In previous years, the number of...

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The current White Paper on Defence 2000 outlined the overall strategy for the development of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. This was based on the report of a special steering group established by the then Minister for Defence in January 1998. The steering group directed the work of a military board, which carried out a comprehensive review of the RDF. The process involved extensive...

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I agree with Deputy O'Shea in regard to the latter point. I have had some experience as regards the Reserve Defence Forces over the last three months since my appointment and I have been looking at the various recommendations that arose along the way. It seems to me that by and large, as regards the recommendations that came forward, at least a positive attempt was made to implement them....

Reserve Defence Force (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: If I appear unenthusiastic about the idea of a brigadier general, it is partly because it seems that many of the recommendations regarding the reserve that have been implemented do not appear to have brought about the positive results people had hoped for. I have an open mind on this but I am a good deal short of being convinced that it will address what seems to me to be much more...

Naval Service (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: A strategy for the replacement of Naval Service offshore patrol vessels, OPVs, is currently in progress following the commencement of a tender competition in 2007. The competition sought tenders for the purchase of two OPVs with an option for a third. The process comprised two stages – stage 1, a request for proposals and stage 2, an invitation to tender. During 2008, stage 1 of the...

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

Tony Killeen: Resulting from the Government decision regarding the reduction of public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment, promotions and acting up appointments in the Permanent Defence Forces were suspended. However, in order to maintain the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces, a limited number of exceptions to the application of the...

Written Answers — Ordnance Disposal: Ordnance Disposal (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: 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 an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. Requests made by an Garda Síochána for assistance in dealing...

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

Tony Killeen: The Renewed Programme for Government sets out the commitment for the preparation of a new White Paper on Defence, for the period 2011 to 2020. Preliminary work has commenced and I intend bringing a memorandum to Government in the near future. This will outline the proposed approach in advance of formally launching the process. The new White Paper will build upon the first white paper on...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 49, 61 and 75 together. The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act, 1938. The Society is a charitable organisation with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. Membership of the Central Council is by way of...

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

Tony Killeen: The amount provided for Departmental travel and subsistence costs in the 2009 Defence Estimate was €396,000 while actual expenditure was €286,000. This saving was achieved through prudent management in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible, and to a lower than anticipated requirement for non-EU foreign travel. In addition, home subsistence and motor...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence initiated a tender competition in 2009 for the supply of Surveillance and Target Acquisition equipment for four out of a total of twenty-seven Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles being supplied by BAE Systems in South Africa. Following a detailed evaluation of tenders, the contract for the award of the equipment, with a value of €2.37m inclusive of VAT, was awarded...

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

Tony Killeen: The amount provided for printing, binding and stationery services in subhead A.5 of the 2009 Defence estimate was €70,000 while actual expenditure was €36,000. Expenditure in 2009 was kept to the absolute minimum in line with the requirement to reduce public expenditure wherever possible. The corresponding amount provided in the 2010 Estimate is €100,000, and includes provision for...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The drug in question is considered one of the most effective anti-malaria drugs for the type of malaria our troops were exposed to in Chad and Central African Republic. Troops being administered the drug are informed of its effects and its use is closely monitored by the military medical authorities. The Military Authorities have assured me that they are fully aware of the drug's potential...

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

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 78 together. Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special...

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

Tony Killeen: I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 May 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,809 comprising 7,996 Army, 795 Air Corps and 1,018 Naval Service. Of this total number, 9,246 were male and 563 were female. Of the 563 female personnel, 460 were serving in the Army, 33 in the Air Corps and 70 in the Naval...

Written Answers — Military Ranges: Military Ranges (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Military Ranges are highly utilised by the Defence Forces and, when available, An Garda Síochána in achieving both training objectives and operational commitments, quite often at short notice. Therefore, affording civilian clubs or associations access, limited or otherwise, to military ranges would not be in the best interest of the Defence Forces or indeed the security of the State....

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Office of Public Works is responsible for the construction and fitting-out of the Department's new accommodation at Station Road, Newbridge. The building is under construction and is expected to be available for occupation in the autumn. The Office of Public Works is also responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Defence Forces Headquarters personnel who are not...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (7 Jul 2010)

Tony Killeen: The All Party Oireachtas Consultation Group on the Centenary of the 1916 Rising met on Wednesday, 2nd December, 2009, for discussions and site visits to Glasnevin Cemetery and the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks to view projects relating to the 2016 commemoration of the 1916 Rising. In the discussion, the Group were informed of recent developments and events including:- Arbour...

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

Tony Killeen: Cyber security, cyber crime and internet security represent challenges that are constantly evolving and require vigilance and appropriate responses. Cyber security is multi facetted. The nature of the threat and the potential impact also varies considerably depending on the approach and objective of those with malicious intent. In the first instance, each State agency, business and...