Results 6,401-6,420 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 59 together. The Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces in July, 2022. As part of that decision, the Government committed to increasing the funding allocated to defence to €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028, through the annual Estimates process. Delivery of this...

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

Micheál Martin: As of 01 November, the Defence Forces have 468 personnel serving between the three UN missions in the Middle East region – UNIFIL (319), UNDOF (136) and UNTSO (13). All Defence Forces’ personnel, including personnel serving in Lebanon (with UNTSO and UNIFIL), are maintaining a high level of vigilance and continue to monitor the developing situation in their respective mission...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 72 together. I am advised that the Department of Defence has purchased defensive equipment from Israeli companies as set out in the table at the foot of this reply. The expenditure primarily relates to Ground Surveillance Radars, Engineering Equipment, Fire Control Systems and the upgrade of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles operated by the Defence Forces....

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

Micheál Martin: The total allocation provided for the Defence Vote Group for 2024 is €1.231 billion, comprising of €921 million for Vote 36 - Defence and €310 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. This is an overall increase of €21 million on 2023. For 2024, the key priority is to progress the transformation of the Defence Forces, with a programme of work as outlined in the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 66 together. The Chairperson of the Forum, Louise Richardson, has prepared and presented her report, which provides a summary and analysis of the four days of discussions and submissions to the public consultation. This report was published and presented to Government on 17 October. The Dáil debate on the report, to which I committed, will take...

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

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability and...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised that a Museum has been established by the Air Corps in Baldonnel and has been developed by them over the years. The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out an ambitious programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027 across the entire spectrum of military activities. With regard specifically to the Irish Air Corps Museum there are currently no...

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

Micheál Martin: The White Paper on Defence published in 2015 set out the Government intention to put in place a new fixed cycle of defence reviews. Such reviews are common practice internationally and give reassurance that policy remains up to date and relevant to changing future circumstances. The White Paper set out that every three years there will be a White Paper update that would consider...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. EU...

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

Micheál Martin: The deployment of the 123rd Infantry Battalion to the UNIFIL in Lebanon is well underway and is expected to be completed later this week. On November 14th, 156 personnel deployed to the mission and the remainder are due to deploy on 24th November. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of volunteer personnel to fulfil all of the mission specific appointments, the Defence Forces...

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

Micheál Martin: I can advise the Deputy that I have been briefed by the military authorities on this incident. The matter is the subject of an ongoing Military Police investigation and I will not, therefore, be making any further comment at this time.

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

Micheál Martin: Significant work has taken place to-date in my Department in order to progress the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) project and a competitive process to acquire a new mid sized aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport has just been published on the Official Journal of the European Union platform. This project is being carried out in accordance with the Defence and Security Directive...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 73, 76 and 78 together. The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the...

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

Micheál Martin: In January of this year, the Irish 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. Any deployment of Defence Forces' personnel...

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 report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve...

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

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO)presented their Member Engagement Survey 2023 at their Annual Delegates Conference last week and shared it with my Department in the last few days. My officials have requested a briefing on the findings therein. I have previously acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and the...

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

Micheál Martin: As of 01 November, the Defence Forces have 468 personnel serving between the three UN missions in the Middle East region – UNIFIL (319), UNDOF (136) and UNTSO (13). All personnel serving in UNIFIL, UNTSO and UNDOF are accounted for and are safe and well. In all cases, they are complying fully with UN security precautions, maintaining a high level of vigilance and continuing to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The Government's approach in relation to unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998. Putting this constitutional choice to the people was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the situation in Gaza is critical and the high number of civilian casualties is deeply shocking. We urgently need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and supplies to get vital aid to civilians. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been notified of the death of one Irish citizen and the death of an immediate...