Results 401-420 of 20,049 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Farrell for raising these matters, across three main areas of Operations, Procurement and Recruitment/Retention. Our Naval Service is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles, including a fishery protection service and a number of other tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations. The Naval Service is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The so-called Triple Lock mechanism sets out the conditions for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These include that the operation must be mandated by the UN, (either by the Security Council or General Assembly), approved by the Government and it must be approved by way of resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of the Defence...

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

Micheál Martin: Following a review of overseas deployments, a decision was taken in July 2021 to withdraw the two Defence Forces' personnel deployed to MINURSO, thereby ending Ireland’s involvement in this mission. The withdrawal of these personnel arose from a need to consolidate operational deployments, in the context of the commitments to peacekeeping entered into by Ireland at that time. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I informed the House on 22 November during a debate on the consultative forum on international security, it is the Government's intention to develop a maritime security strategy, with the necessary resourcing, accompanying legislation and decision-making systems in place. This strategy will have a particular focus on subsea infrastructure. Following the attacks on Nordstreams 1 and 2...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland takes part in any EU discussions equally on the basis of its membership of the European Union, using the accepted respective Councils and Working Parties that fall from that, and governed by the Treaties underpinning the functioning of the European Union. With regard to Defence, at its core, this remains a national competence, something borne out by the differing responses and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 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...

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

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as it was then. The payment is...

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

Micheál Martin: Strategic airlift capability has been prioritised as a capability for investment following Government approval of the Commission on Defence Report as part of the move to (Level Of Ambition) LOA 2 capability. A contract was recently awarded to Airbus at a cost of €59million, excluding VAT, for the provision of a new Fixed Wing Military Transport Aircraft for the Defence Forces. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to Government, that I, as Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff, and that the Department of Defence is kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 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, maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy notes, the Air Corps recently took delivery of two new Airbus C295 aircraft, and will be taking delivery of another one of these aircraft in the future. These aircraft represent a significant investment in the Air Corps, and bring a substantial capability across a range of mission types. I understand that my Department has not been advised that the current capacity is...

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

Micheál Martin: In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in November 2023. As part of the Plan's next steps and immediate priorities for 2024, it identified a Joint Cyber Defence Command created at initial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 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 the maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government is deeply concerned at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. As the Deputy will be aware, South Africa initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice against Israel in which it claims that Israel has violated a number of provisions of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’). I have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Government views the terrible events which saw the deaths of a large number of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire as a tragedy, and has expressed deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during this period. The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. The Government has not taken a stance on whether...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have not yet had the opportunity to raise the publication of the Operation Kenova Interim Report with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but will do so shortly in the context of our ongoing exchanges. As I stated on 8 March, the date on which the interim report was published, the ‘one thing that emerges immediately from the interim report is the centrality of victims and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government looks forward to working closely with the new Executive, particularly through the framework of the North South Ministerial Council, on the many areas where North-South cooperation makes a positive difference to the lives of the people of this island. This includes the work of InterTrade Ireland, whose mission is to support businesses to take advantage of north–south...

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

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 145 together. 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...