Results 1,621-1,640 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the number of vacancies that arose in my Department, by month and by grade throughout 2023 and 2024. Any vacancies that arise are filled as soon as possible, either through the Civil Service mobility scheme, on appointment from the Public Appointments Service or alternatively, through an internal promotion process. Staffing in support of the Army Pensions Board is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013, Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Civilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. There were no civilian tailors employed by my Department during the period 2023 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The LE Aoibhinn and the LE Gobnait, the Naval Service's P70 Class Inshore Patrol Vessels, each has a minimum crewing requirement of 24 personnel. The LÉ George Bernard Shaw and all of the P60 Class of Offshore Patrol Vessels have a minimum crewing requirement of 45 personnel. I am advised by the Defence Forces that the strength of the crew, and ranks thereof, may vary, depending on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and, having regard to the nature of the job, the duties...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I last updated the Deputy on the investigation on 17 October 2024 and today I am happy to advise him of some significant developments since then. I have determined that it was necessary and appropriate to carry out a Post-Incident Internal Inquiry. This inquiry, which commenced on 1 November 2024, is being independently led by Mr. Michael Delaney S.C., and will examine, among other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Following a recommendation in the Report of the Independent Review Group (“the IRG”), published in March 2023, the External Oversight Body was established, on a non-statutory basis initially, to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations of the IRG Report. The recommendations sought to increase transparency and accountability, and to bring about necessary changes to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department has been engaged with the CSSO in anticipation of any potential trespassing to ensure that all legal steps are taken promptly to protect the Plains. In the case of trespass or criminal damage, it is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to police the situation, and my Department has engaged with them on this issue. In terms of addressing these challenges in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there is one qualified female pilot within the Air Corps. They have further advised that there are six females currently in training to become qualified military pilots. The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. Work is underway on the development of a policy for the use of AI within the Department. A number of staff are enrolled on formal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the security of the State. Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under continuous review in light of ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: First and foremost, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and all of those injured and affected by the tragic events of 14 April 1979 at the Glen of Imaal. My attention has been drawn to the newspaper article in question. Officials in my Department are carrying out a review of the files in relation to the incident together and involved a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The following are the principal installations in Dublin occupied by the Defence Forces: Name Address Eircode McKee Barracks Blackhorse Ave., Dublin 7 D07 A065 Cathal Brugha Barracks Rathmines, Dublin 6 D06 RX00 Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel, Co. Dublin D22 X2Y4 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The following office locations in Dublin are directly occupied by staff from my Department. Department of Defence Dublin Offices: Trinity Point Building Leinster Street St., Dublin D02EF85 Ratra House (Civil Defence) North Road, Phoenix Park, D08YD62 Office of Emergency Planning NECC, Ag House, Kildare St, D02WK12

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out a schedule of all foreign travel and associated costs undertaken by me in my capacity as Minister for Defence along with my accompanying officials in 2023 and 2024. Destination Dates of Travel Total Cost Lebanon 25th - 27th January, 2023 €6,171.96 Brussels 22nd - 23rd May,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Public procurement procedures require a successful tenderer for public contracts to meet certain standards, including requirements in relation to taxation, and my Department adheres fully to these, including a requirement for a Tax Clearance Certificate where the value of payments in a year exceeds €10,000. The application of Irish taxation legislation is ultimately a matter between...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy that My Department has had no public contracts issued to Abtran, Edgeway Group Unlimited and Forrest Hill Global Unlimited in the last 10 years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities of the following breakdown by rank of the members serving in the Permanent Defence Force at the end of 2023 and end of 2024 is as follows: - - 2023 2024 Lieutenant General 1 1 Major General 2 2 Brigadier General (Commodore NS) 8 ...