Results 5,681-5,700 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to assure the Senator that I am making the point in engagements. He has raised these issues. China has no issue with discussing human rights because it takes its robust position, a position with which we do not agree. The idea that we do not mention these things is not how it works. Last week, President Higgins and the Taoiseach availed of their meetings with Premier Li to formally...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Trade is the lifeblood of the country. We trade with many countries all over the world. That is where the multilateralism comes in and that is why multilateral forums are very important to Ireland. We need to deal with issues in a proper and informed way. Trade is not the be-all and end-all but it is a fairly significant issue for many people living in this country. It relates to jobs...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Our speech in May deals with that. We all need to get a bit real. Some 80% of pharmaceuticals consumed in America are made in China. Climate change will not happen without China's manufacturing capacity. We cannot gear up in terms of the wind infrastructure or solar panels to give the manufacturing capacity in China. I have spoken to the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces with regard to retention are fully acknowledged and well documented. In this, we are no different to other international militaries who, in a competitive labour market, are also experiencing similar difficulties. The immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. In light of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 70 together. I would like to thank the Deputies for the opportunity to discuss the significant investment the Government has made to date in the improvement of infrastructure for the Defence Forces. There are currently over €141m worth of projects underway at different stages of development, and this level of expenditure will continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces. As of 1 December 2023, the female representation of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stands at 7%. While this percentage is far from satisfactory, it is not out of kilter with standards across international militaries. The Chief of Staff’s aim to increase the percentage of females...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion injured, I have consistently expressed my determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Through the Embassy in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to the Commission’s report, was to commence planning for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: With the publication of the IRG Report in March of last year, I have committed, in line with its recommendations, to introduce on an interim basis, an independent complaints system for its serving members while the process of transforming the existing systems gets underway. My officials have undertaken extensive policy and legislative analysis to identify options for a system which will...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has participated in the UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978. The UNIFIL mission represents Ireland's largest overseas deployment and on 16 May 2023 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period. The 123rdInfantry Battalion commenced its six month deployment with UNIFIL in November of last year and as of 11 January...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. It is open to all countries who are members of the UN to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. One of the key...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that we have placed significant capital investment in refurbishing McKee Barracks, including the refurbishment and upgrade of Block H, McKee barracks which was shortlisted for an RIAI award. This projects highlight not only the Department’s commitment to providing high quality accommodation to service personnel, but also our recognition of the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is committed to a range of actions to address key issues identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces. The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, brings together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government has recently approved the drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023. It is intended that this Bill will provide for various amendments to be made to the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015, one of which will be to provide for the protection of the term “Óglaigh na hÉireann”. This proposed amendment reflects the central aim of the Private Member’s Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Diplomatic Representation (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. The White Paper on Defence recognised the need for the Department of Defence to continue to engage in developing and deepening bilateral relations with potential like-minded partners to secure Ireland’s position in current and future international crisis management operations. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 11 January 2024, there are 329 Defence Forces Personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. In each of the missions located in the Middle East (UNIFIL, UNDOF & UNTSO), Defence Forces’ personnel comply fully with all UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not receive the letter to which the Deputy refers but I am aware of a statement issued by the Women of Honour at that time. I have met the Women of Honour and their legal representatives on a number of occasions, the most recent being on 14th December last. In relation to correspondence issued from my office of 2 November, 2023, to the legal representatives of the Women of...