Results 2,381-2,400 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: To date, the EU has agreed two rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, targeting nine individuals and five entities. Ireland has supported both of these packages. The EU High Representative/Vice President, Josep Borrell, recently brought forward proposals for additional listings under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. These are currently being discussed at working...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The situation in the West Bank is one of longstanding concern, which has been intensified by the current crisis. The rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians is utterly unacceptable and I have strongly supported proposals for EU sanctions targeting violent or extreme Israeli settlers. Ireland’s clear and consistent view remains that Israeli settlements in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I was pleased to have my first call with the new UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on 5 July, shortly after he was appointed to the role. We met in-person previously on two occasions during his time as Shadow Foreign Secretary. Foreign Secretary Lammy and I are in agreement that we have a significant opportunity now for a reset of our bilateral relationship. The British Irish relationship is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: More than two years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges. Ireland is engaged in discussions at EU level around short-term recovery efforts and preparations for a successful longer-term reconstruction effort. We also recognise the important role of the private sector and civil society in these processes, and support a gender-responsive and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland remains steadfast in our support for efforts to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes the provision of non-lethal military support via the European Peace Facility and the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel through EUMAM Ukraine. Given the enormous needs on the ground in the area of demining and the expertise of the Irish Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. is the Minister of State in the Department of Defence. She is also Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. She was appointed by the Taoiseach to these separate roles on 9thApril 2024. The role of the Minister for EU Affairs does not come under the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government (PfG) contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector, a number of which have been completed since 2020, and work continues on those that are on-going. The following provides an update on each commitment which my Department are either the lead for, or have a contributory role. Commission on the Defence Forces One of the key commitments was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. As the Deputy will be aware, both the LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait were commissioned into State Service on Wednesday 04 September 2024. Naval Service personnel have concentrated all necessary resources on bringing the L.É. Aoibhinn into operational service over the past six months. This has included learning from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The establishment versus the strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) as of 31 July 2024: - AR NSR Total Establishment 3869 200 4069 Strength 1431 101 1532 The number which applied and the numbers inducted in the years 2019 to 31 Jul 2024: Year AR Applications NSR Applications Total AR Inductions NSR Inductions Total 01...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Within the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), the term 'discharges' encompasses personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract, voluntary discharges and also includes a number of trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training. A high percentage of those who leave the PDF do so with some form of pension. Turnover levels in the PDF are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the military authorities that the current number of vacancies for each of the requested positions are as follows: Position Vacancies Timeline for Completion/ Remarks Dental Officer (Dentist) Three The filling of Dental Officer vacancies, and all Dental Professionals are progressing in line with the recommendations of the review of Dental Services. Medical...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: In my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I have not spoken with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. John Healey MP since his appointment in July, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: An Garda Síochána (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I have no role in the management or disciplinary process for members of An Garda Síochána. This would be a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am therefore unable to comment on any matters pertaining to members of An Garda Síochána who may have served as Irish/UN peacekeepers abroad and were returned home over such allegations.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that in my Minister for Defence role, I have not taken any flights to, or from, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport or Knock Airport since assuming office.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Special Advisers, drivers or any other relevant positions appointed to me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Special Advisors appointed to the Minister for Defence are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Advisers appointed to the Minister for Defence are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as such, their salary and any expenses incurred are administered by that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces, due to its nature, places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, exposing them to a unique range of challenging environments. In these circumstances, it is vital that the health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. The Defence Forces’ Director, Medical Branch issues...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Civilian Staff are employed by my Department to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. There are no Civilian Grooms employed in the Equitation School, however, there are two Civilian General Operatives assigned to that location. Year 2023 1 x General Operative 2024 2 x General Operative The recruitment of civilian employees for military installations is an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The competitive process for the purposes of delivering a replacement aircraft for the Ministerial Air Transport Service is well advanced with the restricted Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage complete and a number of aircraft manufacturers passed to the Invitation To Tender multi-stage phase which is ongoing at present. A Civil Military Project Team comprising Officials from my...