Results 8,841-8,860 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 348, inclusive, together. As at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 563 whole time equivalent female members of the Permanent Defence Force out of a total WTE strength of 7,959. On the same date, 27 female members were serving overseas in addition to 1 female seconded to the UN. The requested breakdown of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this. The strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 January 2023, the effective female strength of the RDF is 187 members. In line with current policies and commitments, a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Trade Fairs (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: There was no attendance from the Department of Defence at this event. I am also informed by the Military authorities that no Defence Force representative attended this event.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: To date, in my capacity as Minister for Defence, I have not spoken with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Ben Wallace MP. However, I intend to engage collectively and bilaterally with international colleagues as and when the opportunities present themselves. In that regard, I look forward to an opportunity to speak or meet with the UK Secretary of State for Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc. I am advised that the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in France and Canada in 2021, 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department's policy is that all personnel be accorded equality of opportunity and treatment. The statutory provisions relating to the use of words importing gender are set out in section 18(b) of the Interpretation Act 2005. This provides that a word importing the masculine gender shall be read as importing the feminine gender and vice-versa. Primary legislation relating to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I disagree with the Deputy saying that if the area was more affluent, this would not be acceptable.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: This Government is committed to prioritising schools that have bigger challenges than others.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Full stop. I do not know the circumstances of this school.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Regarding what the ask should have been, I do not know if the school has applied. I presume it has.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the key point.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry; I just wish to make this point. The Deputy spoke about the prefabs.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Of course they should be replaced. The issue is where is the application, when did it come in, what is its status, if the design team is finished and if it is progressing.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Is the scheme being progressed now? That is all I need to know.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue with me. I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, regarding it and see what we can do to get the situation resolved.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are primarily dealing with the energy and cost-of-living crises with existing resources. It has not been dependent on the windfall tax that we announced we would be bringing in. This must be legislated for. It was announced last November and must go through the legislative process.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: In the meantime, however, we must sort out this situation. Since January 2022, we have allocated more than €9.5 billion to households. I am not referring to businesses. The temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, for businesses is additional. This €9.5 billion is a substantial intervention to try to help people to meet what undoubtedly are severe challenges with...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I discussed this earlier with Deputy Fitzmaurice and I thank Deputy Tully for raising it again. I think the progressing disability services for children and young people programme was initiated around 2013. I had issues with it at the time. I believe multidisciplinary teams in special schools are the optimal way to help children, but that does not cover all children. That is the point the...