Results 4,101-4,120 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are progressing the legislation now. We agreed a position more than seven weeks ago; I would say perhaps two months ago.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is all done now.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Apologies to the Deputy for interrupting. That is all done. That negotiation process is well and truly over for quite a while now. It has gone to the Department of enterprise. The next challenge is to make sure we get the legislation drafted and published and, with the co-operation of everybody in the House, to get it through the House. That would the desired objective, probably now in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That will be provided for in legislation that is under way. My understanding is that was agreed by Cabinet and will happen. It is a minor legislative amendment. I think it is in the justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill but I can confirm that for the Deputy. Following the most recent pay increases of 2.2% recruits, after doing the leaving certificate or whatever, on completion of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the move to the age of 60 was massive and was received very positively on the ground in the Defence Forces. I am conscious there are people who are nearing that age who are anxious we would progress the legislation to include the age of 62. I will come back to the Deputy with precise timelines. Whether we will get it through before the summer recess, or not, remains to be seen...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Pardon?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That was very quick. The Bill will move to Committee Stage and then go the other House as well. We have two, maybe three weeks for the other House to get the Bill through which is good news.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Maritime Jurisdiction (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU and its member states - including Ireland - have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence, and Ireland takes part in a range of EU initiatives in this regard. In October 2023, the European Union approved its revised European Union maritime security strategy and related action plan, aimed at addressing security...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Maritime Jurisdiction (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Generally speaking, we need to be careful about the language that gets used in this domain. There is a lot of noise around the place about weakest links and all the rest of it. In terms of drugs, there was a very successful intervention last September involving Army Rangers, the Air Corps, the Naval Service, An Garda Síochána and Revenue. It was the largest cocaine haul in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry. It is two years.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Peter Ward's function relates to assessing whether the existing Defence Forces regulations are fit for purpose in this context, as well as relating to the military liaison office, and carrying out a high-level analysis of it. There are 68 cases, going back about two years or maybe just a bit before that. The tribunal of inquiry is going to take a lengthy time. It is going back 40 years...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes, the terms of reference will be published tomorrow morning. I had hoped it would happen for Question Time tonight but I will have them published tomorrow, because I want to get a comprehensive analysis. People are saying we do not have this or that. I have to be careful because there is another case, on which we got a separate report, that is now in a process, but it is nonetheless...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is simply not fit for purpose and that is manifest again in how this situation has evolved.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 109 together. As the Deputies are aware, retention is not influenced by a single factor. Rather, multiple interconnected factors are responsible for retaining people in any organisation. In common with other militaries internationally, the Defence Forces are facing a challenging environment. As Minister for Defence, in addition to a programme of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Some are not.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Discharged.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The ones on sexual assault are on leave locally so they are not in service.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I again clarify for Deputy Moynihan that enlisted personnel can be discharged for any one of 26 reasons outlined and identified in Defence Forces regulations. Of the 68, somewhere in the mid-40s are still before the courts. We have to allow due process to take its course. I take a view, which I have made clear to the Chief of Staff, that where someone is guilty, particularly of a section 3...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 75 and 91 together. I thank the Deputies for their questions. I can confirm there has been engagement with the Chief of Staff and we yesterday to discuss these very serious issues. Following a recent case, I was informed on Friday, 21 June of another case involving a member who is still serving after being convicted of assault causing harm. In light...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I said earlier that I think the level of violence in our society, against women in particular, is at an alarming level. People will say we had it in the past and so on. We have discussed this among other issues. I find it unconscionable, and I cannot understand how people can engage in such violence against fellow human beings on the streets or in any location. However, we have to do a...