Results 261-280 of 47,563 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there are currently 24 trainee pilots, comprised of 11 cadets completing military training which is required before they commence their Pilot Wings course, and a further 13 officers undertaking pilot training. The table below provides the details requested by the Deputy: Air Corps Class / Course Number of Personnel ...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: What I am now hearing from Sinn Féin is that it will oppose our participation in the PESCO projects that are before us today for approval.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin is going to oppose a proposal for four to six members of the Defence Forces, per year, to participate in an energy management course that will cost €1,500. It is doing so for reasons I do not know. That is Sinn Féin's foreign policy for you. We have 17 installations. The Defence Forces are the biggest users of energy in the public service. Why is there an...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: On the pay issue, there are significant changes. We have removed the requirement for a private to mark time for the first three years. We have provided for payment of the full rate of military service allowance to all. The patrol duty allowance is being doubled. New public service pay agreements will apply. All of this means that on completion of training, which takes approximately 24...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves Ireland's participation in the following: (i) two Permanent Structured Cooperation Projects in accordance with the Programme for Government commitment: (a) Network of Logistic Hubs in Europe and Support to Operations, and (b) Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection and the associated Category B European Defence Agency support to the...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Connolly made a very disingenuous presentation. I have condemned Israel's bombardment of Gaza, but it is never good enough for the left because it has always attempted to use the Middle East and Gaza as-----

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----a wedge issue continually. Ireland has demonstrated, through its policy on the Middle East and Gaza, its independence and farm policy. For God's sake acknowledge it.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland recognised the State of Palestine with Spain and with Norway, but you could not reference that. You had to try to give the impression that Ireland was a party to genocide. How dare you say that in this House?

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The self-righteousness of the far left in this country really frustrates me. What did you not talk about today? What did Sinn Féin not talk about today? What did Deputy Paul Murphy not talk about today? One of the proposals before the House to approve today is whether we participate in an energy management course which costs €1,500 and €5,000 per member, of which...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are four programmes. There are two PESCO programmes, one about the critical seabed and the subsea which relates to how we co-operate with and learn from others and protect our undersea infrastructure, including sea cables which sustain thousands of jobs in this country. What planet are you on? What bloody planet are you on?

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no vote today on the triple lock. It is mentioned in the report. That will come with legislation. There is a vote on whether we participate in subsea cable projects under PESCO. There is a vote on whether we participate in cyber exercises under PESCO. We should. We saw what happened with the attack on the HSE. The only way we will be resilient in terms of cyber security in...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the number of cyber attacks has grown exponentially. That is a reality.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are cyber attacks left, right and centre. We have to build up resilience. These are modest proposals before us. The PESCO proposals are very modest. Yesterday, at the committee there was the Chair and two members. There was no evidence yesterday that people were exercised about this.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Cronin suggested that I made a light case for the PESCO projects. I did not. I was quite comprehensive and substantive. The Deputy's spokesperson could not make it yesterday; he asked for a debate at the committee but was not in a position to attend, which can happen. The bottom line is that I attended the committee yesterday for an hour and 45 minutes. There was no real argument...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, I do not think Deputy Murphy believes we should have an army at all.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Barry said he wants to cut defence expenditure. He wants to cut the amount of money we are giving to the Army and Defence Forces, which is fair enough. That is his position. He said it. He said we should cut military expenditure. That is Deputy Barry's position. I believe that Deputy Murphy's position is that he believes we should not have an army at all. That is my view.

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Whatever that means. You have your view. There is somewhat of a false presentation regarding the triple lock. Deputies accuse me of misinformation. We are not guilty of any misinformation. The UN General Assembly cannot approve a peacekeeping operation in practice. Deputies know that. Such operations are only ever deployed on the basis of mandates from the United Nations Security...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In certain instances where a matter has been considered by the Security Council and has been the subject of a veto, the General Assembly may consider the matter and make a recommendation to UN members for collective action. We did that recently regarding the issue of Palestine. Ultimately, while other organs of the UN make recommendations to member states under the UN charter, the Council...

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----will approve or not approve peacekeeping missions. It has not approved any since 2014. That is the bottom line. I mentioned Russia. I do not believe Irish foreign policy or our decision to participate in peacekeeping missions should be vetoed by a country like Russia. I will name Russia. Deputy Howlin asked me what our policy is anchored in. It is anchored in multilateralism....

Defence Forces: Motions (3 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not talking about you. I am talking about Deputy Murphy, who clearly did not want it to happen.