Results 5,601-5,620 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 71 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this question. As he will be aware, Ireland, like many other countries in Europe, has witnessed a fundamental change in our security environment in the past year, with an increased focus on maritime security and the protection of subsea cables. The security of Ireland’s subsea infrastructure is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: A civil-military working group has been established to progress a project for the enhancement of subsea awareness capabilities, as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces and referenced in the detailed implementation plan, which was published last November. That project is under way. One of the projects under NATO’s Partnership for Peace is on maritime security and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is a bit more work to be done on engagement with the private sector on the subsea cable issue. Internationally, there is engagement at EU level. The resilience and protection of critical infrastructure has become a higher priority issue for the EU since the pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine. Regarding the new individual tailored programme between NATO and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 74, 76, 78, 85 and 93 together. I believe we addressed this matter in an earlier question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The draft terms of reference were prepared. There was a significant number of meetings between Women of Honour, me and the Attorney General. In the earlier question, I listed the amendments that we had taken on board as a result of those meetings with Women of Honour. I would make the point that we agreed on a range of issues. If the Deputy wishes, I will list them again. That the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is a lot of bilateral aid which member states themselves provide jointly. Many EU member states, not us, see the Russian invasion as existential, particularly the Baltic states and Poland. Initially, even German people felt the war posed an existential threat to the security of Germany. This is the context. It is arguable that the support given by many member states has stymied...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: So do I.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: No.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: You are.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a force for peace in the world. In our motion today we condemned the continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza. I condemned the Hamas attack on 7 October. We are seeking peace and we have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ireland is consistent in its approach to these matters. We voted for the Arab resolution at the United Nations seeking an immediate cessation of all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. There is a long-standing policy of allowing third-party access to Defence Forces facilities and properties in order to support the local communities and to raise the profile of the Defence Forces. This policy extends to a wide number of groups and activities, including GAA clubs, soccer clubs and numerous community groups throughout the country. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan. West Cork people are very self-reliant, innovative and enterprising, particularly the people of the Beara Peninsula and Bere Island itself. The Department of Defence administers 91.05 ha of land on Bere Island on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in whom the land is vested. The Department of Defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: On the latter point, I am not sure whether the Brexit adjustment reserve funding applied. There was significant ramping up of investment in piers. I will speak to the Minister for agriculture in respect of this specific issue. My Department is open to seeing what we can do long term to facilitate certainty. Spike Island happened and I was involved in it at the time. The county manager...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have outlined the eight projects that we are currently involved in, and I outlined that we joined four more. I met with the chief executive officer last year when he came to Dublin. We have established a capability development unit, which goes back to Deputy O'Sullivan's question, to deal with the expanded capability of the Defence Forces as per the Commission on Defence Forces. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EDA is more a procurement agency to assist us in procuring equipment, weaponry and so forth. Perhaps the Deputy is referring to the PESCO projects, which is a separate initiative. We are currently participating in four PESCO projects: upgraded maritime surveillance; deployable military disaster relief capability packages; maritime autonomous systems for mine countermeasures; and a cyber...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is important to reiterate that Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, there will not be. As of 11 January 2024, there are 134 Defence Forces personnel serving with the UNDOF. I got advice at the time I came into office to pull back and consolidate. We may consider additionality in UNIFIL or elsewhere but that depends on current events. We have a commitment to the EU battle group 2024-25. We have been part of the battle groups since 1999-2000. That is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am talking about Gaza. The Deputy knows that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is a great man for distorting what gets said. He knew damn well I was talking about Gaza, yet he just switched it. What I mentioned earlier is there may be a call for an international security force. There may not be but there may be. In all the talks about bringing peace to Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it has been actively considered that an international security...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, I gave you four cases-----