Results 2,701-2,720 of 11,413 for speaker:Matt Carthy

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I am happy to swap.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: 74. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his engagements with stakeholders regarding the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry arising from abuses allegations brought to public attention by Women of Honour group; the timeframe within which he expects the tribunal to commence its work and complete its final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: Whatever way the Tánaiste tries to justify this, he should not try to justify it as an example of flexibility. Far from it being a sign of flexibility, this goes to the core of the weakness of the Defence Forces as a result of the actions of successive Governments. I can see it is logical for a Minister to say that "circumstances must" and, in order to fulfil other commitments we have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: -----that has a UN mandate and we are withdrawing from that. Does the Tánaiste acknowledge it is a regrettable position that we have to withdraw and that it would be better if we had the capacity, if we are to take his other rationale at face value, to continue operating in this mission? Does he accept that?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I asked the Tánaiste whether he had considered the position we are in. Accepting the Tánaiste's rationale that we have to do this, I contend it would have been much better had that decision not been made. It is crucially important if for no other reason than just imagining a hypothetical scenario where a peacekeeping mission is going to Gaza. I am sure whichever body was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: -----but there is an important mission in the Golan Heights. Does the Tánaiste accept it is important? Does he accept it would be better if Ireland were able to continue participating in it? Those are the questions I have asked.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: From 1999. I am talking about today.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: That is what we are doing in the Golan Heights.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: And you are withdrawing from one of the more important missions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: That is why I am trying to protect our reputation while you are trying to do it down.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: There is a role in the Golan Heights.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I thank the Chair for her indulgence.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: 55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current number of Defence Forces members posted to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights; the current timeframe for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' infantry group from this mission; the number of Defence Forces personnel who will remain posted to this mission thereafter; and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I want to return to what is one of the more disappointing developments in the history of the Defence Forces, particularly its contemporary history. This is the decision to withdraw members from the UNDOF peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights. I would appreciate it if the Tánaiste would outline the current timeframe for the withdrawal of the infantry group from this mission and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: On that point, while I am a great believer in and advocate for peace in the Middle East, I would not advocate sending our troops there without a UN mandate. That is a debate for another day perhaps.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: 50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members that left the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in 2023; the number of new members recruited to each; the current membership of the Defence Forces; and the projected numbers by year-end 2024. [2989/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I ask the Minister for Defence the number of members who left the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps last year; the number of new members who were recruited; and therefore the current membership of each branch of the Defence Forces.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: I am sure the Tánaiste will accept that those figures are incredibly concerning. When this Government came into office, it inherited a crisis in terms of the numbers in the Defence Forces. The numbers at that point were 8,659. When the Tánaiste assumed the role of Minister, that number had reduced to 7,966. If I recall the figure he gave correctly, it now stands at 7,550. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: The Tánaiste indicated that he does not think the Defence Forces are ambitious enough in their targets. I would make the same charge of the Government. In budget 2023, funding was provided to allow the recruitment of an additional 400 personnel, but that did not happen. In fact, as I said, the numbers actually went down further. This year, however, the funding provided in 2024...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Carthy: Does the Tánaiste accept that an additional 400 members, which would not even bring numbers up to where they were at this time last year, is not sufficient either? We are talking about the need to be more ambitious in our hopes and aspirations for the Defence Forces. Yes, we need the Defence Forces but, in the first instance, we need to see leadership and vision from the Government,...