Results 47,781-47,800 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with a range of ministerial and other counterparts is a central part of my work, and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. In my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have had various contacts with Israeli counterparts and government officials. I travelled to Israel in September 2023, as part of a three-day visit to the Middle East, when I met with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department commissions external contractors, consultancy services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money. My...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government, and I wish to agree with her statement on the highly trained nature of our soldiers on peacekeeping duties in the region. Our personnel are indeed highly trained, professional, and have undergone rigorous preparation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), spearheaded by Germany, was launched in 2022, with the self-declared aim of creating a European air and missile defence system through the joint acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations in order to strengthen NATO’s integrated air and missile defence. While my Department is aware of the ESSI, Ireland has not...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 67 together. At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. Over the last week, there has been a significant escalation of violence across Lebanon, in terms of Israeli air strikes and Hezbollah rocket fire. The Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The requested information has been sought from the Defence Forces but unfortunately cannot be gathered within the prescribed timeframe as it covers a number of Branches within the Defence Forces as well as the battalion currently stationed in UNIFIL. The Department and the Defence Forces will continue to gather this information, and will follow up with the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The promotion competition that the Deputy refers to is scheduled to run this year. There has been ongoing consultation between civil/military management and the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), to take account of a number of proposed changes to ensure improved efficiency of the competition process and to additionally ensure that the necessary regulatory underpinning for such improvements is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is one capital project currently ongoing in Stephens Barracks, details of which are is set out below: Project EstimatedCost incl. VAT Expected Completion New Barrack Accountant Facility (estimated completion date early 2025) €627,405 Summer 2025 Total €627,405 The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 69 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Transport has confirmed that his Department is examining the recent media reports regarding civil aircraft flights and the carriage of munitions of war. The Department of Transport is continuing its examination of these reports, and its ongoing engagement with the air carriers concerned. As I have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I believe the Deputy may be referring to a report of planes transporting weapons to Israel through Irish airspace. In the first instance, I would like to clarify that the Department of Transport holds the authority and responsibility for overseeing matters related to Irish airspace. I understand that my colleague the Minister for Transport's Department is engaging with the airlines involved...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with my international counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Defence. That being said, in my capacity as Minister for Defence I have not had any contact with a Minister/official from Israel. In the past there have been visits by previous Ministers for Defence to the Middle-East which included on occasion meetings with an Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations, as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In June of this year, the Department of Defence sought a request for tender for the engagement of external communications’ consultants to assist in the completion of a comprehensive Communications Strategy. The development of a comprehensive Communications Strategy was a specific recommendation of my Department’s Organisational Capability Review in 2022. Following a detailed...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: This is a budget for a modern country determined to protect its success and use its resources to permanently tackle key issues. It is a balanced, fair and progressive budget that significantly expands vital public services and supports. It is a budget that protects and promotes the economic success that generates the resources on which these public services and supports rely. Critically,...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----which claim that nothing positive has ever happened in our country and that just demanding more of everything is the answer. Even during the pandemic, the addiction to destructive opposition showed itself repeatedly. Every measure we introduced to help workers and businesses was attacked as paltry and when we had to end emergency measures, we were attacked again. We saw another level...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In response to a balanced, ambitious and progressive-----

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am clearly striking home.

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's interruptions as a compliment on the quality of my speech. In response to a balanced, ambitious and progressive budget, we have heard an incoherent barrage of attacks and no meaningful debate. The Opposition would like nothing better than to claim that they are facing some form of neo-Thatcherite Government. Of course, the reality is that we have been consistently...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and a series of actions, which would make things much worse-----

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----fewer houses, slower building and cancelled support for first-time buyers. That is the reality of Sinn Féin's brave new future.