Results 21-40 of 20,001 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The current situation in Georgia is of grave concern. The adoption of legislation on the “transparency of foreign influence” by the Georgian parliament, in the face of strong international criticism, and the disproportionate use of force against those protesting the legislation, are not in line with core EU values and norms. Events in Georgia were discussed at the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following his appointment as Welsh First Minister, I had a phonecall with Vaughan Gething on 18 April to congratulate him on his appointment. During the call, we focused on the importance of relations between Ireland and Wales, and how we can work together to further strengthen the relationship. We underscored the importance of our cooperation under the Ireland Wales Shared Statement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I continue to prioritise regular engagement with a wide range of UK political figures, in government and in opposition, as we further our work to strengthen British-Irish relations in a post-Brexit context. I was in London on 29 April to co-chair a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) alongside the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 25 July 2023, Ireland submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion case 'Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem'. Ireland also participated in the public hearings in this case, with the Attorney General making an oral statement to the Court on behalf...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I understand the Deputy's Question relates to Boeing C-17 Globemasters. I am advised that this aircraft has landed and been parked in the Aerodrome, as the aircraft operators have opted to park overnight on the runway at Casement Aerodrome. I am satisfied that the existing infrastructure provision at Baldonnel is sufficient to enable the Air Corps carry out its current training and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service does not have the capacity to dock a vessel of 609 m in length. The largest vessels in the current fleet of Naval Service ships are the P60 class of vessels, which measure 90 metres in length. My officials are not aware of a Vessel of the length referenced by the Deputy, to illustrate the largest Naval ship in the world at the moment is understood to the USS Gerald Ford...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The table below contains the requested breakdown of personnel by rank for the Naval Service and Air Corps, as of the 31 December 2023 and the 30 April 2024 (the latest date for which such figures are available). - Strength as at 31 December 2023 Strength as at 31 December 2023 Strength as at 30 April 2024 Strength as at 30 April 2024 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of the 31 March 2024 the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,510 personnel. This was comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. The agreed overall establishment strength was recently increased by 100 to 9,600 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments. Whilst recruitment and retention challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced. The purpose of the Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 March stood at 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. Tables containing the specific breakdown of inductions, discharges, applications, interviews and numbers offered employment, as requested...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the Defence Forces, not least in the Naval Service, have been well documented. In an effort to address the continued decline in the overall strength level of the Naval Service, significant investment is being made to enhance the terms and conditions of personnel, in such areas as improved pay and conditions, accommodation and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 20 and 30 together. As I have stated earlier; the Government has now agreed on the necessity to amend the legislation governing our overseas deployments, including with regard to the Triple Lock. The changes proposed will give us the ability to dispatch members of our Defence Forces overseas to respond to situations where UN Security Council members are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 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: National Security (16 May 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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by my officials that, following communication with Deputy Howlin's office, the focus of this question has been clarified and has been confirmed to relate to my statement in response to PQ 20106/ 24 that; "a Civil Military Project Team comprising Officials from my Department and the Air Corps has been actively working on the delivery of this project and they are being supported...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following the Government approval of February 2023 and July 2023, Ireland has been participating in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) through the provision of training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. To date, the Defence Forces has delivered 11 modules of training to Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) personnel via EUMAM Ukraine. A total of 455 UAF personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Last March, Minister Donohoe published revised multi-annual capital spending allocations across Departments out to 2026. This increased funding will facilitate the progression of key capital projects and programmes under the 2021-30 National Development Plan (NDP). For Defence, this will see the capital allocation rise from its 2024 level of €176 million to €215 million in 2025...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Thank you Deputy for the question. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 passed second stage in the Dáil on 2 May 2024 and is scheduled for Dáil Committee Stage on 23 May 2024. This Bill is an important step in delivering on the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces. This is particularly the case in providing for the establishment and operation, on a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of the 31 March 2024 the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,510 personnel. This was comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. The agreed overall establishment strength was recently increased by 100 to 9,600 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments. Changes have been introduced by this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 46 together. The Government remains committed to bolstering the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). One such recent 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, which were brought into effect in March. ...