Results 41-60 of 20,001 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats under constant review. It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army are being considered in the context of the capability and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that no request, official or otherwise, has been received from the European Commission in relation to the strengthening of the Irish Defence Forces. In any case, and as the Deputy will be aware, decision-making power in relation to Defence remain a national competence under the European Treaties, and it remains a matter for Ireland, and any and every...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 38 together. I wish to assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment, as Minister for Defence, to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act . As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the final management position, on this matter, which was presented to me,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Naval Service stood at 722 personnel as at 31 March 2024. As of the same date, 356 applications were received and there were 31 inductions. I have previously acknowledged the recruitment and retention challenges in the Naval Service and I continue to be committed to maximising recruitment capacity and introducing measures to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 103 together. 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. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Strategies (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 1 May, I launched the Be Summer-Ready 2024 Public Safety Information Campaign. This year the focused message of the campaign is TravelWise, which is the Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice service. The Be Summer Ready campaign provides advice across a wide range of topics on staying safe during the summer period. It is a source of practical information to keep in mind when...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. The current Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) radar system and missile system are approaching...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Defence Forces medical capability encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including doctors (Medical Officers), dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and psychologists. Pre-hospital practitioners such as Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics are an integral and essential part of the service delivery component of the Medical Corps, and serve at home and abroad in medical appointments. By...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My officials have been engaged with the Defence Forces Engineering Corps on this matter. I am advised that further specialist advice in terms of marine structural and civil engineering is required to assess the required works and a procurement process will shortly be launched to obtain consultancy services in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Military management has advised that 104 EU Battlegroup appointments have been made to date, and the expectation is that the remaining posts will be fully filled in the coming months in advance of the first EU Battlegroup 2025 training exercise in Germany in the autumn. It is currently foreseen that the total number of the proposed Defence Forces contribution to the German-led EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Training and education in the Defence Forces is conducted in line with national and international best practice, including the manner in which students are supported. On average, the Defence Forces conducts between 1,200 and 1,400 courses of training and education each year. The Defence Forces is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning and the accreditation of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I published the National Risk Assessment for Ireland, 2023 on 28 March 2024. It identifies 22 key risks with Anti-Microbial Resistant Infection, Pandemic, Cyber Attack and Disruption to Critical Supply Chain rated as our highest probability and highest impact risks. Risks appearing for the first time include Damage to Undersea...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 52 together. Recent media reports that former members of the Defence Forces may have been involved in training members of the Libyan National Army are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces. No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 7 May 2024, Ireland is contributing 400 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations, which reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 328 personnel. Ireland also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as it was then. The payment is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army are continuously considered in the context of the capability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since their arrival further physical works were completed on both vessels together with familiarisation works, including these works and transportation costs, these vessels were acquired at a cost of €32m. A final comprehensive programme of familiarisation works and pre-sailing exercises with the assistance of reserve members of the Royal New Zealand Navy will commence on the 16 May...