Results 6,941-6,960 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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,...

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

Micheál Martin: I think you are overstating it and are distorting the argument. That is wrong. You did the same with the consultative forum.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I fully acknowledge the challenges currently facing the Defence Forces in regard to recruitment and retention including, in particular, the Naval Service. Ireland is not alone, however, in these challenges, which are being experienced by a number of other militaries across the world, with particular challenges for navies internationally. There...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: My understanding of the specialised instructors' allowance is that there are ongoing discussions with RACO, but RACO agreed with it some time back as part of an earlier deal. I outlined a fairly lengthy list of measures. The personal tax credit is worth about €1,500 for those at sea over a particular period. The measures have not been effective on the recruitment side. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have moved very quickly on the organisation of the working time directive. There has been acceleration and significant engagement with the representative associations and bodies, Department and military management. I see the attainment and realisation of the working time directive as very important. We have to change culture in the Naval Service and Defence Forces. I was somewhat...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. The Government remains fully committed to the advancement of the Reserve Defence Force. The 2015 White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve. 9 o’clock The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces equally serves to reinforce that commitment. The report contains many...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think Deputy Cronin would accept that too.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that. I also appreciate that the members concerned are anxious given the reviews that have been under way. I see the organisation of working time directive as a positive development, and one that I am very anxious to see brought to completion, in the interests of health and safety.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not suggest that Deputy Cronin would not be. In terms of the fire service, of course we want to retain a multidisciplinary approach and to have various skill sets within the Defence Forces. All the local public representatives have been in touch. I understand there is a local context to this issue, and a family context to it in terms of the personnel and then there is the broader...

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

Micheál Martin: I published Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces on 26 September. The purpose of the strategic framework is to bring together into one overarching document the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit-for-purpose organisation that can defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. My priority within...

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

Micheál Martin: First, I will refer to the training so far provided to the Ukrainians. By the way, military neutrality means non-alignment with a military alliance. Ireland is not militarily aligned. That is how our neutrality has been defined for decades. We are not a member of NATO. We have no intention of becoming a member of NATO. We have no plans to become a member of NATO. We are signatories to...