Results 6,381-6,400 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The report of the independent review group, IRG, established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published on 28 March last. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the report, which include the establishment of a statutory inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that Ireland has been to the fore. If one travels the Arab world there is huge respect for the stance Ireland has taken and the principled stand we have taken in respect of the Middle East over a long period of time. That was certainly the case in Egypt when I was there last week and with the Palestinian Authority when I met it in Ramallah last week, and when I met...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has deliberately ignored my answer and is being disingenuous because, as he is aware, trade policy and market access are largely European Union competencies. In the absence of a general trade embargo of Israel, which there is not-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the Deputy's view, but I am saying that there is not such an embargo across Europe. The Department of Defence cannot unilaterally preclude Israeli companies from participating in tender competitions for military or any other type of goods, under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, and EU procurement law requirements. Under GATT and EU procurement law requirements, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is not.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not believe the Deputy should try to characterise me wrongly as he just has-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am very clear that I want the war in Gaza to end now. Ireland was one of the countries to come out early to call for a humanitarian ceasefire. We voted for the Arab resolution at the United Nations. When we met the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah it thanked us and appreciated the principled stand that Ireland takes in relation to these issues, and has taken.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We will continue to work to get a humanitarian ceasefire and to get aid and medical supplies in at scale into Gaza, which is critical. We signed up to the GATT rules in respect of trade and the European Commission is competent - as the Deputy knows - on trade agreements. Ireland does not have the unilateral capacity and legally we cannot just extricate ourselves and say, "We want to do it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Carthy for raising the question. I believe it has actually accelerated. Since coming in as the Minister I identified this as a key priority of mine. The Defence Forces are currently exempted from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU working time directive into Irish law. I assure the Deputy, however, that I am fully committed...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided me with a table showing the estimated number of personnel who will be required to retire on age grounds from next year up to 2028, if they serve their full contract term. It should be noted that many personnel leave the Defence Forces before reaching mandatory retirement age. The table outlining projected mandatory retirement figures, which should be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I gave that figure, which is net 400.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked for the figure and I have given it in my reply. We are, of course, conscious of a recruitment and retention issue within the Defence Forces. I identified a long list of measures we have taken to improve allowances and improve the situation overall for members of our Defence Forces in order to attract new members and encourage retention. There are issues around recruitment...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, I was not Minister for Defence this time last year, nor was he his party's spokesperson on defence. There are a number of factors at play, of which the buoyant employment market is a key one. We have been close to full employment over the past two years. There is significant evidence that private industry has recruited a lot of our naval personnel and other staff from...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 38 together. As the Deputy will be aware, we like many other countries in Europe have witnessed a fundamental change in our security environment in the last year with an increased focus on maritime security and the protection of subsea cables. The security of Ireland’s sub-sea infrastructure is a matter of utmost importance for the Government....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

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. Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is key feature of the recently published Strategic Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Defence, I have no statutory role in the military discipline system as enshrined in Part V of the Defence Act. Any complaint or allegation of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces is currently subject to administrative investigative procedures as outlined in Defence Forces Administrative Instruction A7 and includes, but is not limited to,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP21) committed that public sector bodies will reduce Green House Gases by 51% by 2030, improve energy efficiency from 33% (2020) to 50% by 2030 and produce a Climate Action Roadmap by the end of March 2023. The Climate Action Roadmap is a document to be produced by public sector bodies which communicates how each public body aims to meet the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces. As of 31 October 2023, the representation of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stands at 7%. It should be noted that while this percentage is far from satisfactory, it is not out of kilter with standards across international militaries. For example, the percentage of women in the UK Armed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 55 and 56 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. Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set...