Results 6,861-6,880 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Moynihan made some very important points not only about culture but also about progression. That is an issue, without question, and the independent oversight group that has been appointed in respect of the IRG is looking at that issue, at the whole promotional system within the Defence Forces and how we can encourage more women in terms of promotion. Traditionally and historically,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 120 together. The ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces with regard to retention are fully acknowledged and well documented. In this we are no different from other international militaries that, in a competitive labour market, are experiencing similar difficulties. The immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel and on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Some of that commentary is incredible. It is an incredible overstatement. I did not discuss the training with President Zelenskyy because it is on a very minor scale compared to what every other member of the European Union is doing bar Ireland, Malta, and Austria. Get real here. We are not providing any military support in the form of hardware or weaponry to Ukraine, nor should we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Come on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will shake my head.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think it is shocking. It is shocking what is going on here.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Whataboutery all of the time. What Russia did is absolutely appalling-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----and continues to be appalling. What do you expect people in Ukraine to do? Let them the whole way in?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Is that what we are expected to do? This is double standards. We are consistent on Palestine. We have done much more than the Deputy has suggested on Palestine, and the evidence of that is how we were treated in Palestine by the Palestinian authorities or by other neighbouring states who acknowledge Ireland's commitment, which is not only in terms of words but also in support of the United...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----we discussed it at the United Nations.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: However, Russia should pull out. That is where we can get a bit of progress of this.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. There is no doubt there is a significant recruitment and retention issue within our Defence Forces. Work is under way to counter these. Current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, and the Be More recruitment campaign. An important development is the joint induction training...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think I gave a reply earlier to those specific questions on numbers. I think 90 were recruited in 2022 and a further 20 have been recruited so far in 2023. I mentioned earlier accelerating procedures and medical tests. In a previous campaign, about 1,000 applied but the follow through was not as strong. Now that we have an Office of Reserve Affairs, there is additional capacity to plan...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I might be surprised at this stage in respect of family income support. I would like to hear about the cases if the Deputy would show me them. The improvement in basic pay has been quite dramatic. If you go straight in with your leaving certificate, you will be on €36,000 to €37,000 while on commissioning with your leaving certificate as a cadet, you will be on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 125 together. As part of the European Union’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the Council of the EU launched the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, EUMAM Ukraine. Formally established on 17 October 2022, the aim of the mission is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian armed forces, UAF to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is not a new definition. Maybe it is to you on the far left, with your view. I am always struck by the degree to which you engage in significant whataboutery. In your comments today there was no reference to the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have answered you. I said there are no plans to change Ireland's policy in respect of military neutrality.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have to put it to you that what Ireland is doing in this respect is very, very limited-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----in the face of the extraordinary attack on ordinary men, women and children by Russian forces.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have met Mahmoud Abbas. He is committed to a non-violent approach to a two-state solution. He told me that only three weeks ago. You should not be wishing him to become involved in a violent engagement. He does not want to. There is an obligation on Israel to deal with that. The bottom line is that it is clear to the entire world that Russia went in within a half an hour of Kyiv,...