Results 6,381-6,400 of 9,163 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: UN Missions (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: 11. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason 150 members of the Defence Forces had their return from Lebanon delayed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16838/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: UN Missions (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: I want to ask the Minister of State about the reason certain members of the Defence Forces had their return from Lebanon delayed and if he will make a statement on the matter. This is the second time this has occurred in six months and demonstrates a complete failure on the part of the Minister of State and his Department. In his public announcements, he said that it was the UN's fault. He...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: UN Missions (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: This shows that the Department cannot even be trusted to arrange a flight. The Minister of State is the one responsible along with his Department and he cannot deflect attention to the UN. What happened on both occasions shows that both he and his Department were asleep at the wheel. Many families had to cancel their holidays again or cancel plans. All those plans were cancelled when they...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: UN Missions (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State told the media before the troops.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: 7. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the Defence Forces computer incident response team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16839/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: There are grave concerns among members of the Defence Forces that this team has been seriously compromised and undermined and that this may pose a serious security risk to the State. I hope the Minister of State can update the House.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: I have been told that a decision was made in September 2018 to stand down the Defence Forces' computer incident response team as there were no trained staff left. The national cyber security centre is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Is that the case? Are the Defence Forces' computers being monitored for attacks? If it is the case that there are no staff members in the Defence Forces' incident...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: It means we are not providing a proper response and barrier for potential attacks and it shows how the depletion in numbers in the Defence Forces could compromise security. It is not good enough to quote the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: This is a specific team in the Defence Forces, relating to the Minister of State's responsibilities to this House. I want him to provide clarity, apart from the operation and security response that he gave.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: From the Comptroller and Auditor General, we know that the cyberunit in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is completely dysfunctional and is not fit for purpose. I am also informed that the Defence Forces cannot fulfil its obligations to that Department due to the depletion of staffing numbers and that there is a security risk. I would like further details on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: The facts are-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: There has been no interest in this initiative. It reveals the hollow words that we constantly hear from the Government concerning the crisis in our Defence Forces. The attempt to fill the gap in the Air Corps has resulted in more people leaving. The Defence Forces are haemorrhaging numbers to the point where overseas missions are now in jeopardy and naval vessels cannot go to sea. Using...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: 3. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of former officers who previously left the Defence Forces and have returned to service; when a scheme for former enlisted members to return will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17126/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: How many former Defence Forces' officers, having left service, have returned? Will the Minister of State outline in detail the scheme he has put in place for former commissioned officers to return and will he make a statement on the matter? In the Dáil the Taoiseach diverted attention from the recruitment and retention crisis by referring to the re-entry scheme previously outlined by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: The reality is that the recruitment initiative which the Taoiseach lauded to tackle the numbers crisis in the Defence Forces has attracted nearly no interest. The response to a parliamentary question on the subject which I received from the Minister of State in the last week contained a single digit figure. Is the scheme actually being advertised? Who makes the decision on recruitment? Is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: 1. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether the 8.1% turnover or churn in the Defence Forces is crippling the service; if the Defence Forces are struggling to fill command positions for a rotation of troops attached to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17125/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: Those may be famous last words from the Acting Chairman. I ask the Minister of State with responsibility for defence if he agrees that the current 8.1% turnover or churn in the Defence Forces is crippling the service, as was stated by the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett. Is it the case that the Defence Forces are struggling to fill command positions for rotation of troops...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State said that military authorities have advised there is no difficulty but Vice Admiral Mellett said, "There are gaps." He also said:You are always going to have a churn and a churn is healthy, but I would rather it be down about 5% rather than the 8.1% it is at present. It is that extra per cent that is crippling us at present. I know from speaking to people who have been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State has to agree there were difficulties. The Minister of State visited the United Nations in New York and was showing a force of strength with the Defence Forces. It is a bit like the emperor with no clothes because the words Minister of State uses abroad do not match the reality of the morale and retention issues at home. The facts and figures in the RACO climate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (11 Apr 2019)

Jack Chambers: 24. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether a commission should be established to examine defence matters in the same way as policing was reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16841/19]