Results 5,381-5,400 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The entry age limits for General Service Recruits, Air Corps Aircraft Apprentices and certain Direct Entry ‘other rank’ specialists (DFSM Instrumentalists) were increased to 29 years in 2023. Further age increases for these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The proposals set out in the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 to prohibit the Defence Force Representative Associations from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter is already provided for in Regulation, namely the Defence Force Regulation (DFR) S.6, which states that “No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is the case that since 23 January 2020, the holder of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) cannot be a member of a Representative Association. This point is set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) 02/2020, Section 4(1) and Section 6(2). This draft Defence (Amendment) Bill will further include the post of the Military Judge (MJ), as both these posts are unique, within...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. Of that strength, 364 personnel were in full time induction training of varying duration, comprised of 86 recruits, 116 Private 2 star, 103 Cadets, 12 Air Corp Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician and 47 Air Corp Apprentice Technicians. The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that, as of 23 January 2024, the following number of women were in General Service Recruit or Cadet training across all Branches. Army Air Corp Naval Service Recruit* 10 6** 4 Cadets 15 3 1 *Includes personnel undergoing initial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the Defence Forces that their records indicate there are contracts currently in place with Elbit Systems Ltd (Elbit Systems Land Ltd and Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber). The Defence Forces have also indicated that the companies listed from 2-11 do not appear on their records.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that there are no civilian or Garda drivers appointed to me in my capacity as Minister for Defence or to the Minister of State in the Department of Defence.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: In 2019, I worked from the Opposition benches with the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, on the setting up of a scheme for medical cannabis use. That scheme now operates through licences issued by the Minister. I favour anything that has an evidence basis to it, including when it comes to expanding the medical cannabis access programme. However, it needs careful consideration and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kenny has left the Chamber but I put on the record that a clinical review group is being established to follow up on the HRB report. I thank Deputy Dillon for raising what is a very important report. I am a passionate believer in school completion and have been all my life. We have very high rates of school completion in Ireland but the school completion rate of the cohort...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The freedom of information legislative framework is a very comprehensive one. It allows for appeals in respect of decisions to refuse information. We have always supported the fullest co-operation at all levels of Government with requests for information. Government does not intervene in local authorities all of the time because, if it did, the Deputy and others would be the very first...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can say that in my early time as a councillor, I was refused an FOI for two years with regard to a dump that I wanted closed. I eventually got the information and I then realised why I did not get it two years earlier. Now it is an amenity park, and a wonderful amenity park for the area. FOI has its role, and we want to see it adhered to.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has clearly nailed his colours to the mast, although that is the wrong analogy with regard to this Castlemartyr bypass. I now note that he has enlisted the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, onto his team to increase pressure in respect of that project. It is very serious for the people of the area, and I hope that within the next number of weeks we can bring clarity to the whole...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy is referring to Fórsa's decision not to progress correspondence because of the current situation in the HSE?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not condone it. I think it is wrong, and Fórsa should desist, in the interests of democracy. There is also the fact that, as I said earlier, €7.1 billion has been allocated to health since 2019. We can have arguments and debates about whether we need to do more, and I accept that, but we need a sense of perspective on these issues as well. That is my view on it. Above...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate Deputy Harkin raising the issue, and we certainly will. I will say again that we are doing everything we possibly can to get Irish citizens and their dependants out of Gaza. We have succeeded in getting quite a number out. Our ambassador, Sonya McGuinness, is working very hard. She is based in Tel Aviv. There are Members of the House who want us to expel ambassadors and pull...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I had not heard that. The bowel screening programme has been cut back?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, that is not the case. I will check that with the Minister. That is the first I have heard of that. On the endoscopy unit, in which hospital?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is saying that is closed, is it?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister for Health on that and come back to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Foley, was in touch with me as well. I take the Deputy's point. Yes, the industrial relations processes should be used. I will talk to the Minister for enterprise in respect of that. Kerry Group is one of Ireland's most successful global multinational companies, starting with very humble beginnings in Kerry and Tralee....