Results 281-300 of 6,336 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Regarding our assessment as to why Ireland should be a neutral State, some people have talked about moral superiority. That is not it in my view. In my view it is a clear-sighted assessment of the role we can play where we can be of most benefit but also do what is in our interests. I believe that neutrality serves us well and has popular support. The Minister has said he is in favour of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There is a sense of a lack of ambition with respect to redeveloping the Reserve Defence Force. Typically, reserve defence forces are a critical element of recruitment to permanent defence forces. We are at critically low levels. Indeed, the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces reflected the fact that the Reserve Defence Force is important in terms of surge capacity as required....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: My next question was going to be whether the Tánaiste planned to meet with them. I am glad that he has met them. I hope he took on board some of their suggestions and requests. From what he is saying, it seems that the target is effectively no longer 4,500 for 2028, but 3,000. That would be a fair step back. It was only on 15 October last that the current Taoiseach committed to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to discuss the need to ensure increased recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6439/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Tánaiste and I had an engagement a while ago that was primarily about the Permanent Defence Force. I want to bring to the Tánaiste's attention the issue of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. It is a seriously depleted organisation that has much greater potential. It has a huge ability to support the Permanent Defence Force in its own right. As of 15 October, the current...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Corps (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It is for this reason that I communicated with the Tánaiste last night. It is important that ongoing monitoring is happening but my primary concern relates to the issues that have arisen over the past 20 or 30 years. For many years personnel in the Air Corps, particularly those in the repair shop, were exposed to very dangerous chemicals. Despite this, there were no meaningful...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Corps (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I appreciate the fact the Tánaiste will reflect on it. He mentioned the tribunal. I would make the point, and the Tánaiste's comments reflect that he may be aware of this, the tribunal only deals with the handling of complaints rather than the substance of complaints.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Corps (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Therefore, that will not be anywhere near adequate. What ACCAS has demanded is to ensure medical care is provided as well as an assessment to identify what were the implications for health outcomes. There is also a need for a statutory investigation of some form, given the role of the State Claims Agency in failing to alert the HSA of ongoing failings when known. It should go without...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 4. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how he will ensure adequate funding for the Defence Forces in line with the report of the commission on the Defence Forces. [6102/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We have heard a lot about defence spending in recent weeks but the truth on the ground is that the Defence Forces are in a precarious position because of Government underfunding. We currently have fewer than 8,000 members of the Permanent Defence Force. This is well below establishment, not to mind the 11,000 recommended under stage 2 in the report of the Commission on the Future of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: In recent weeks, we have heard lots of big speeches, announcements, lofty promises and big commitments. I welcome that the Defence Forces are finally getting some attention. I live in a city that has a large number of Defence Forces personnel who work in Collins Barracks and Haulbowline. They tell me they have heard all of this before. They have heard big talk and small follow-through....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Tánaiste spoke about an objective analysis. Any objective analysis would find that the previous Minister for Defence, who is now the Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Micheál Martin, kept giving unspent money in defence back to the Exchequer. It was €30 million last year and €70 million in 2023 and 2022. Any objective analysis would find that more...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Corps (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to discuss health and safety measures in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6440/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Corps (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Tánaiste will be aware of a recent settlement for Mr. Gary Coll of €2 million, without liability, after he lodged proceedings regarding exposure to dangerous chemicals while working in the Air Corps. I do not wish to discuss any case before the courts. Many people who are affected do not want to have to go to court. However, as a matter of policy, the Department of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 27. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for the amount of funding surrendered from his Department to the Exchequer in 2024; the reason the allocated funds were unspent; and the amount he expects his Department to surrender in 2025, and the reason therefor. [6105/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of instances where ships were put to sea without a functioning main gun. [6107/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress his Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cyber security command and other actions related to cyber security contained in the commission on the future of the Defence Forces. [6106/25]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Fianna Fáil has fair expertise in strokes themselves.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (25 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 192. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his engagements with the EU-Israel Association Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7886/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Feb 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 193. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his engagement with the state of Egypt regarding the thousands of displaced Palestinians in the state and efforts to ensure that they are receiving sufficient humanitarian assistance and have access to services. [7887/25]