Results 9,241-9,260 of 50,213 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have to disagree with the Deputy fundamentally because our military neutrality has always been defined based on non-membership of a military alliance. We are not members of a military alliance. We are not members of NATO. That is the definition of Ireland's military neutrality. We have never been politically neutral. We have joined the European Union and have been a member since 1973....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: They are not offensive. They are essentially a training preparation exercise. Our Army cannot be isolationist and not ever meet or engage with any other army or defence forces. That is an absurd position to adopt. Taking cybersecurity as an example, which is a huge threat to the country. Are we to be isolationist in terms of the threat of cybersecurity in this country? Are we to ignore...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 27, 59 and 74 together. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government, and its report was published on 9 February 2022. The commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: There will be a number of representations in respect of a number of barracks that want to be the headquarters, as detailed. In the first instance, the implementation management office is working on the production of a detailed implementation plan for the remaining recommendations. The military authorities are progressing the establishment of an Army force design that will undertake the work...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: It would be premature to designate any barracks with headquarters status until the review of the structure of the Army is completed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Again, that was a decision taken prior to my coming into office but nonetheless it is important to point out the 2023 Revised Estimate for Defence of over €915 million includes an overall pay allocation of €546 million, which is an increase of €19 million on the Revised Estimate for 2022. This overall allocation provides, inter alia, for all costs associated with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I said, the change is that the prevailing number dictates the allocation, so there will not be an underspend in that respect. It is a sensible approach. The key issue is that the largest budget increase ever experienced by the Department of Defence occurred in the 2023 Estimate. The pay increases have occurred relative to the pay agreements and the recommendations. There are other...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: It must also be said there are many people in the Defence Forces who are pursuing very rewarding careers. It is our obligation to facilitate a rewarding and fruitful career for people, and lives for people, within our Defence Forces and there are many factors that can give rise to that. These include opportunities within the Defence Forces for progression, education, further learning,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Am I on the wrong one?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Which one are we on?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I apologise. I thought we had moved on to No. 7 but it was not taken. In any event, as I said, yesterday we had a meeting on recruitment and retention. Particularly with regard to the Naval Service we clearly have to stand back. We have taken measures. Pay and conditions were identified as issues over the past two to three years. There has been a lot of movement on the pay front. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I said that earlier.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are focused on it now.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: What Deputy Clarke read out is what I gave in response to an earlier question from Deputy Howlin with regard to the LÉ Róisínand the LÉ Niamh. We have to continue to invest in the Naval Service.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deciding not to purchase ships-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is no point in saying we want to expand, develop and modernise the Naval Service, and then criticise the fact that we are purchasing two more ships particularly for inshore patrolling.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is part of the wider multifaceted approach that has to be taken to modernise our Naval Service and it impacts on recruitment and retention. We have moved on the pay rates, including military service allowances for the ranks of private three-star-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: No, it is not. Able seamen start at €36,000 in the first year, rising to €37,000 in the second year and €39,000 in the third year. A graduate cadet on commission starts on €45,496 while a school leaver cadet starts at €40,000 while in full-time third level education.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: This is far in excess. This is in excess of comparable positions elsewhere.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: We will provide tables to the Deputy on the various staffing levels. There is an urgency attached to this and we are moving on all fronts with regard to recruitment and retention. All morning I have heard no solution or any concrete recommendation from anybody over and above what is already being done.