Results 2,961-2,980 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 85 together. The Naval Service is currently adopting a three-ship operational posture, which sees the four P60 class vessels on patrol in operational rotation. The decision to reduce the number of operational ships was made as a result of the previously acknowledged recruitment and retention difficulties in the Naval Service, in particular for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I too salute the courage of Natasha O'Brien in making very clear her position as a victim. I am conscious that the case has now been appealed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, so I cannot comment any further. Since I became Minister for Defence, I have focused on changing the culture in the Defence Forces. I mentioned earlier the external oversight body that has been...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. I again express my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in the Defence Forces. The nature and type of such attacks on women are deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable. The depth of feeling expressed at the protests recently is testament to that and I know everyone in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Okay.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to correct that. I was at pains in the previous reply to outline the regulatory obligations. The officer who attends a court is not there to give a character reference-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and is not there to give a glowing account. The officer had a record in front of him and was cross-examined by the prosecution and the defence. He happened to be in the court in line with the Defence Force regulations. We have to be fair to everyone in this context. However, I am reviewing that and I have asked Mr. Peter Ward SC to undertake a high-level analysis of the application...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am very clear on this. The Defence Forces are there to protect society and keep people safe. I believe that, as with An Garda Síochána, standards have to be very high, given the unique role the Defence Forces play in society, over and above other sectors of the public service. That imposes an extra burden, but it is necessary. I think we are all shocked by the level of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 61 together. I thank the Deputies for raising this serious question. I wish again to express my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in the Defence Forces. Let me be quite clear about this: the Defence Forces are not a place where someone who has been convicted of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In respect of the individual in the Naval Service, there is currently a process under way, which may be coming to a conclusion. I have been advised by the Attorney General's office the less comment now at this stage, given the potential impact on that process, the better. I hope the House understands that I am not going to comment further on it other than to say, generally, there are...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not have the figures for 2019 immediately to hand. I will get them for the Deputy shortly. A figure of 1,509 personnel served during 2023. That has people coming between the two six-month rotations. As of 5 June 2024, Ireland contributes 430 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations, which reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, although it is a factor. Shortly after I became Minister for Defence, I received strong military advice from the Chief of Staff recommending that we pull out of UNDOF. I think he would have been aware of my decision to enter the battle group because we are part of the CSDP missions. I am very clear about that role for Ireland in terms of-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: No. Fundamentally, the decision was taken on military advice.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: No. I was advised anyway. The advice was coming because these are two different types of missions. If we are honest, they are not comparable at all in some respects. We first deployed there in 2013 and 3,000 troops have served overall. It is not unusual for us to give ten years or more to a given place. The one place where we have been more or less continuously, with one interruption...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: We may or may not have taken the same decision. The military advice was clear. To be frank, the military advice was that there was a desire to move on. This was the sense I got when I became Minister for Defence.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's Participation in Two PESCO Projects and Two European Defence Agency Projects and the Report Regarding Service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2023: Motion (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are not in active discussion. The most immediate action in this context has been the deployment of an additional platoon of 33 personnel to go to Lebanon on top of the 344 troops we have there now. This is the immediate focus at the moment. We keep the situation under review. If the UN comes to us with a specific request, we will, of course, consider it.