Results 44,261-44,280 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have established the Defence Forces joint induction training centre in Gormanston, which will ultimately enable induction training to be provided to 900 recruits per annum. That is a significant investment. We have also appointed a specialist internal expertise group to go in, validate and advise on recruitment processes in the Permanent Defence Force, with a particular focus on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is net.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not agree with that at all.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: This is a net increase. I have been in office for one year. I am determined to deal with this. There are a number of interlocking issues. This Government has dealt substantially with pay. On completion of training, recruits start at €38,000 in year one. That increases to €39,400 in year two and €40,700 in year three. School-leaver cadets, on commissioning, are paid...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The report of the independent review group, which was established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces, was published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the report, which included the establishment of a statutory inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am surprised with what the Deputy said and I do not think it is fair. There has been full respect on my side and there has been ongoing engagement. We actually met in January but the Deputy seems to suggest the last meeting was in December. We met again, we reflected, we changed and we made further inclusions, particularly in respect of the hazardous chemicals issue in Baldonnel. We...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Women of Honour made very significant submissions in respect of this and during the various meetings we had. I believe we have had eight or nine meetings. In December we agreed to include "psychological harm" in the definition of abuse and that the tribunal may permit evidence of abuse and the consequences of abuse to be heard. We reflected that in the terms of reference and these have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 65 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the question. As I outlined earlier to Deputies, the military authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,550 personnel. A total of 750 personnel were discharged in 2023 and 415 personnel were inducted. The Commission on the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The level of turnover in the Defence Forces was approximately 10% in 2023. That includes those in training. The military advice is that is not unusual across the globe. On the specific point, we brought in a specialist company to examine recruitment processes within the Defence Forces, especially the Naval Service, which is critical. What is happening in the Naval Service is not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said it himself at the outset and I think we are seeing trends in the gap between inductions and people retiring narrowing. The first objective is to stabilise that and get to a net increase figure. It is going to take some time before we get back to establishment level, never mind the target of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The service limits for privates, corporals and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The report of the IRG established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the report. One of the first actions taken was the establishment of an external oversight body, initially on a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: A significant number of the recommendations have been followed through on and have been worked on. I did not list them all there. The whole consultation around the establishment of a tribunal has taken an especially lengthy time, and rightly so, because people wanted to consult and get it right and have suggestions made that we have taken on board. We moved very quickly on identifying that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy summed it up himself when he said that cultural change takes time.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Reports (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not satisfied yet. I think we still have some distance to go but we are making progress on a whole range of fronts. On the pay front, the Government has made significant progress with things like the patrol duty allowance and medical care. While they are not specific to the independent review group, they are important in terms of the overall quality of the work environment within the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 56 and 84 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. 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. Following the publication of the report of the independent review group on dignity and equality...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Do I not have more time because there is a number of questions?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Okay, I have to do what I am told.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: To conclude my initial response, much progress has been achieved since the commission’s report was published. The high level action plan identified the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of head of transformation and head of strategic human resources for the Defence Forces as necessary early actions. Appointments have now been made to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have to beef up the capacity of the Defence Forces to develop a comprehensive radar system, to assess the requirements for Ireland in that respect and to procure one. On subsea cables, obviously aerial support is important. There are a number of dimensions to protecting subsea cables, the most critical one being collaboration with other EU member states, the US and other countries. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, there will not be. As of 11 January 2024, there are 134 Defence Forces personnel serving with the UNDOF. I got advice at the time I came into office to pull back and consolidate. We may consider additionality in UNIFIL or elsewhere but that depends on current events. We have a commitment to the EU battle group 2024-25. We have been part of the battle groups since 1999-2000. That is...