Results 5,961-5,980 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. MATS is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA 235 and/or other Air Corps aircraft may be used....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 Section 4 is the primary legislation governing service overseas. The authority to mandatory select personnel for overseas service is governed by Defence Forces Regulations, and subject to the administrative process contained in Administration Instruction CS5 – Administration of Overseas Service, which details the circumstances and eligibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Military Authorities advise that it is not possible to collate the required information in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is made available to me.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The so-called "triple lock" mechanism sets out the requirements for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These requirements are provided for in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended. The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 also provides for a series of other circumstances in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: In January of this year, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025. This will be the eighth occasion on which the Defence Forces have been part of an EU Battlegroup and the first since 2020. The Battlegroup will be stood-up during 2024 and will be on standby throughout 2025. Battlegroups are a key component of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department, the Department of Defence operates an X account, primarily used to highlight significant announcements and to support Department promoted events. X is the main social media account operated by the Department of Defence and this account is not verified through a subscription fee. My Department has a Social Media Policy Guide in place. This guide advises users when sharing and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. The awarding of medals is a matter for the military authorities. As the Deputy may be aware, Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Force Medals. I am advised that, in general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has spent the following on advertising on the X/Twitter website. This was done by the Office of Emergency Planning to highlight the Be Summer and Be Winter Ready Campaigns. The OEP has not advertised with X (formerly Twitter) since March 2023. Year X (formerly Twitter) 2019 Nil 2020 Nil 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The 'Triple Lock' provides that contingents of the Defence Forces may only be despatched for overseas peace support operations where that deployment is (i) approved by the Government, (ii) approved by a resolution of Dáil Éireann if the proposed deployment if of more than 12 personnel and (iii) that the operation is mandated or authorised by the United Nations As I indicated in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: For clarity, UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, calls on all states to distinguish in their relevant dealings between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. This resolution reflects the position already held by Ireland, the European Union and the UN for many years. Ireland regrets that the main text of the agreement does...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point. There is a genuine view in Germany in respect of its relationship with Israel that I would say transcends economic issues and is rooted in the historic position of the Holocaust and Germany's role in the Holocaust. Many current leaders, and, indeed, those before, including Chancellors Merkel and Scholz, from different ends of the political spectrum, would be clear...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We do not do sanctions on our own. We do sanctions with the European Union and United Nations. We pursue those sanctions. At UN Security Council level, we secured an important clause to ensure that, in any sanction regimes, there would be a provision for humanitarian corridors in situations of dire humanitarian need. Our best role in the European Union is to bring about influence on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have witnessed very good progress on the EU issue and the membership application by Ukraine to join the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress in fulfilling the key recommendations set out for it. In June 2022 candidate status was granted to Ukraine on the understanding that it would undertake reforms. On 8 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, to speak to Deputy Devlin I condemn the use of cluster bombs. It is reprehensible and cluster munitions are shocking. They have terrible impacts on children and on families after the war. Ireland will help in any way we can to de-mine the battlefield. Deputy Griffin also made a very important point to maintain momentum in this war. This is a horrible war. Some 7 million...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, a trilateral memorandum of understanding with Israel and Egypt on co-operation relating to trade, transport and the export of natural gas to the European Union was signed by the European Commission on 15 June 2022. Ireland supports the agreement, which is a timely initiative that will strengthen energy security across the European Union. The legal framework for the EU-Israel...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan it was regrettable that Israel was not present at the Union for Mediterranean regional forum last Monday. I picked up a determined approach from the Arab states that were available and other states in terms of the need for a credible pathway to peace. Egypt and Jordan's foreign ministers in particular have been active on this and put a lot of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes. I have said that repeatedly. That is a European Union position. There cannot be displacement of Palestinians. There cannot be reoccupation of Gaza by Israel. Europe agrees with that principle. The High Representative, Mr. Borrell, has made that point, but we believe there should be a Palestinian Authority in Gaza delivering services to Gazans, from medical health to education....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Kyiv was a crucial moment in this war and was a resolute demonstration that the future of Ukraine lies within the EU. This was the first Foreign Affairs Council to take place in such conditions, which reflects the special circumstances we are facing. Russia is showing no signs of relenting in its pursuit of a war of aggression against a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for their kind comments and appreciate their supportive comments. In response to Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, EU member states are supportive of a two-state solution. The issue is how we follow through on it and give heft and a sense of urgency to bringing it about. Part of that will be pressure on the Israeli Government to move on what is happening in the West...