Results 4,501-4,520 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no argument but that we have a recruitment crisis in the Naval Service. I am very clear on that. That is why we have taken a range of actions since I became Minister with responsibility for the Naval Service, including bringing in CPL to look at the recruitment processes. Moreover, the navy has hired a specialist agency for the specialists required to man ships. We have doubled...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: White Papers (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The strategic framework on the transformation of the Defence Forces, that I published in September, is the overarching document and our focus is on implementing that in accordance with the timelines that have been set within that framework. We need one clear overarching document. That covers all aspects, both of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the independent review group...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: White Papers (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is extensive training within the Defence Forces. When they eventually leave, many people come out of the Defence Forces very well qualified and eagerly sought after. This is a problem in some respects because we are anxious that people would stay longer in the Defence Forces. That is why we have improved conditions and pay, as well as retirement ages more recently. Significantly, we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. In fairness, the Deputy has an eagle eye on equipment and opportunities for the Defence Forces. 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...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. We are committed to ethical equipment procurement. It is the ideal. Also, in terms of an earlier question from Deputy Mick Barry, we need to procure ships, aircraft, equipment and weaponry. There is a need so there is a need for a defence industry. It seems there are mixed views about that in the House. There is almost a sense here that we should have no...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. I appreciate his ongoing commitment to issues at Portlaoise prison and the work he continues to do. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point. That is why I have acted on this. A deployment of 50 personnel was traditionally in situ at any given time, with a resource commitment of 100 personnel in total accounting for those resting or on stand-by. The current resource commitment is 16 personnel. Any resources released by the step-down in commitment will be redeployed into regenerational capacities and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I said to the Deputy, the traditional resource commitment of 100 personnel is now down to 16. I have instructed that there be a further phased reduction. There has been a substantial reduction in line with the security assessment and in consultation with the Department of Justice, following recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces. I am conscious, since I met the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: White Papers (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy framework out to 2025 and covers all aspects of defence within the broader security policy framework. Since publication of the White Paper in 2015, a total of 95 separate projects were identified for completion over a ten-year period. Project and programme management governance arrangements were put in place to monitor the ongoing status of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, Deputy Carthy's point relates to a later question, if I am not mistaken.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am referring to the point about training. It is a United Nations training programme, and we do not get to choose which members of the United Nations get to participate on a United Nations training programme. That was the situation there. The Deputies can colour these positions and put a sort of a spin on them, but my understanding is clear that members of-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am just making the point it is open to countries to apply if there are United Nations training programmes. We do not get to decide who is or is not a member of the United Nations, although we can have a say in it if there are votes and so on. To respond to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, again, the trade law is there with respect to public procurement and tendering. I certainly have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Again, the principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Deputy Carthy knows that and Deputy Ó Snodaigh knows that. It is an EU law requirement and is in accordance with the defence and security directive. I do not know whether the Deputies are saying explicitly that we should simply break the law-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: They said we should campaign. I do not think we are not in a position to do that, although we have written to the EU with Spain. Ours are the two countries in the EU that have written to the EU in respect of the trade association agreement with Israel, and Ireland has said we want a review and examination of that in the context of our view on Israel's non-compliance with the human rights...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: How does the Deputy think we should procure weapons? Does he think we should procure weapons at all? It seems to me that his position is that we should not and that we should have no arms industry at all. That is what he has suggested.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am asking a straight question. Does the Deputy think we should have an arms industry?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not have responsibility for this organisation, but I will seek further information for the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy already had the information. He named names. He asked a question to which he already had the answer.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy made declaratory statements about an arms industry. It seems to me that his position is that we should not procure any weapons and the arms industry is a shadowy operation. I do not know how we are going to defend ourselves-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----if we do not buy any guns, ships, airplanes or anything like that.