Results 2,861-2,880 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 101 together. I remain deeply concerned by rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The potential for further regional escalation remains high. Reports received from UNIFIL indicate that the situation in Irish area of operation remains dynamic and unpredictable with kinetic activity continuing to emanate from North and South of the Blue Line....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 140 together. On 30 April last, Government approved the proposal to draft the General Scheme of a Bill to govern overseas deployments into the future. Work on drafting those proposals is well underway. This involves, where required, further consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and across Government Departments and key stakeholders. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 81 together. As of 31 May 2024, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,447 personnel, and 210 personnel had been inducted. Challenges in the recruitment and retention of personnel have been acknowledged and measures have been taken to address these. The military authorities initially projected an induction figure of 540 for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, I cannot comment on individual cases. I have earlier outlined my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in our Defence Forces. Defence Force Regulations, DFR A10 provide that a serving member may be discharged upon conviction by the civil power of an offence and sets out the process for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Tribunals of Inquiry (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 86 together. Following the approval by both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann of the motions to establish the Tribunal of Inquiry, I recently signed a Statutory Instrument to give effect to the formal establishment of the Tribunal. The Tribunal of Inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

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 recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procurement procedures are EU law requirements that have to be complied with. This is to ensure fair competition, transparency and equal treatment between suppliers through the advertising of the tender...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government remains committed to bolstering the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). One such measure in support of this commitment has been the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages for the RDF to match comparable increases for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), which were brought into effect in March of this year. The structure and strength of the RDF is a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group (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 13 recommendations contained in the Report. Some actions have already been completed while others will take further time due to the requirement for legislative change. One...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, is the current Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence. No formal functions of the Minister for Defence have been delegated to the Minister of State and full responsibility for Defence policies, the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces remains with the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. However the Minister of State assists and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to state at the outset, in the strongest possible terms, that the Defence Forces is not a place where someone convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence can join or continue to serve. All applicants to join the Defence Forces are vetted by An Garda Síochána as part of the application process. Defence Forces Regulation A10,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. At national level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

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. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: It was a great honour to be given the opportunity, once again, to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) on 15 May last, at the Slieve Russel Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan. At this conference I had the opportunity to address delegates on a number of key issues currently facing the Defence Forces, whilst acknowledging a wide range of improvements that have been...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion were injured, I have consistently expressed both my and the Government's determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I assume that by vacant properties the Deputy is referring to residential properties. Based on information provided by military authorities, there are seventy-eight (78) vacant residential type properties under the remit of my Department. I am advised that none of these properties can be occupied without considerable refurbishment and were built before the Building Regulations and associated...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The decision in question, as ruled by the Adjudicator under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces, is one which found against the prohibition of Defence Forces personnel, serving in a specific post, from being able to affiliate with Representative Associations. This ruling is currently under appeal to the Defence sector Arbitration...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following details in respect of Naval Service personnel who have discharged between 2020 and 2024 (as at 31 May 2024). Naval Service Discharges 2020 – 2024 (as at 31 May 2024*) Year Numbers of Discharges 2020 102 2021 103 2022 102...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since becoming Minister for Defence, I have been absolutely clear on the need for urgent transformation of the culture in the Defence Forces. My Department has and continues to work tirelessly with Defence Forces’ colleagues to take the steps required to bring about the culture change that is so urgently required. This represents a significant programme of reform and culture change...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Oireachtas Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: On the 11th June, the Government approved Ireland’s participation in two Permanent Structured Cooperation projects - (1) The Network of Logistic Hubs in Europe and Support to Operations project and (2) The Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection project; and in two European Defence Agency projects - (1) Defence Energy Managers Course II and (2) Cyber Defence Exercises. In line...