Results 3,341-3,360 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces operate a fleet of vehicles across the air, land and maritime domains. The day to day maintenance and servicing of the fleet is delegated to the military authorities and as such my Department does not have a direct role in same. I am advised for operational reasons the Defence Forces does not provide detailed information on the status or disposition of the fleet.

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

Micheál Martin: Given the granular nature and long timescale of the information sought by the Deputy, it is not readily available in the timeframe requested. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided directly to the Deputy in due course.

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

Micheál Martin: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available from the Department's financial management systems within the time frame sought. Officials from my Department will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. The acquisition, modernisation and upgrade of Defence Forces equipment are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and...

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

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

Micheál Martin: The strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 July 2024, stood at 728 personnel. As the Deputy is aware, as one of the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel by 2028, including a...

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

Micheál Martin: I have previously acknowledged the particular difficulties in attracting and retaining certain specialties in the Naval Service, in the current buoyant employment market . To address such challenges, a number of recruitment initiatives have been introduced including an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry...

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

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy, that the appointment of Ministers is a matter for the Taoiseach, and the Taoiseach alone. There is a Constitutional limit of fifteen on the number of ministers that can be appointed; there are currently eighteen government departments, which means that it is not constitutionally possible to have one standalone Minister for each Department. It is necessary, in a...

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

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes...