Results 7,381-7,400 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (21 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. I am advised that the Defence Forces do not retain comprehensive records of foreign military ships passing through the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) - as I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 13 June 2023, foreign military ships operating in the Irish EEZ are operating on the high seas and exercise freedom...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (21 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Property Management Branch of my Department has not been advised of any current operation requirements for the extension of runways at Casement Aerodrome as referenced by the Deputy and as such the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan does not provide for such works. It is assumed the Deputy is referring to the disposal of lands at the Aerodrome, I am advised that no such...

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

Micheál Martin: As of 1 June, Ireland was participating in four EU CSDP missions, with twenty-one members of the Defence Forces deployed as followsEUTM Mali – eight (8)Operation Althea in Boznia and Herzegovina – five (5) - with a further (1) Defence Force member deployed to the Operational Headquarters of the operation in Mons, BelgiumEUMAM Ukraine – four (4), of whom one (1) is in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (21 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Following Government and Dáil approval, the L.É. William Butler Yeats will commence operations with the Operation Irini mission in the Mediterranean today (21 June 2023). The core task of Operation Irini is to contribute to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 (2011) and subsequent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is some capability within the Defence Forces regarding drone technology. It is not all about warfare either; it is about many practical applications, for example, where they can come to the aid of the civil power, assist State agencies and utilities and perform drug interdiction. There are many positive utilisations. We have observer status on an Italian-led permanent structured...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will read it into the record. To be frank, it is not an issue to which I have given consideration. Now that the Deputy has raised it, I certainly will and perhaps discuss it further with him. As he said, the tradition was to name them after Irish female mythological figures. In 2013, the then Minister instructed that a review of the naming policy should be undertaken. Following that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have told the military my view on it. I would not be rushing to be a candidate. The Deputies make a fair point. The military authorities are keeping it under review. In respect of the Naval Service, the military authorities have advised me of the position. I have made the point that the first thing you get when you press a button is a psychometric test. I am not convinced that is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will reply first to Deputy Stanton. In terms of the breakdown for the first six months, 150 have been inducted, comprising 141 general service recruits, 125 in the Army, three in the Air Corps and 13 in the Naval Service, with one Naval Service engine room artificer. Of the eight re-enlisted personnel, seven are in the Army and one is in the Air Corps. A total of 435 personnel were...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced to ensure the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to them by the Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As always, we have to look at both the protection of the State but also civil protection issues. In the context of Dublin Airport, this issue was the subject of considerable publicity recently. The Government decided to appoint the DAA to purchase and deploy a counter-drone technology solution at Dublin Airport. This is an interim response, initiated by my colleague, the Minister for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will first respond to Deputy Cowen's questions. As I said, I do not want to speculate further. I have met with the Lebanese authorities and stressed to them the importance of justice and full accountability in respect of the killing of Seán Rooney. There is a broader context to what happened in terms of the Defence Forces' overseas mission, DFOM, which is the denial of access....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 83 together. The Defence Forces remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted and current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service recruitment, targeted service specific recruitment, direct entry recruitment, and the re-entry schemes.  The maximum age of entry was recently increased to 29 years old for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will take the question on the Reserve first. There was recruitment last year, but I do not think the procedures and processes were sufficient to accommodate those who had expressed an interest. An office has now been created in respect of recruitment to the Reserve force and its organisation. There is huge potential there. In speaking with the Chief of Staff, the military leadership and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was very much reflecting on this. The cybersecurity attack on the HSE in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic was a very serious one that had a very severe impact on our health service and caused enormous strain and stress among senior personnel and those at the clinical front line who do scanning. It was interesting that the Polish Government contacted us immediately, as did the UK...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have to develop our own capabilities; however, with respect to subsea cables, it is not all about ships and assets. Much of this will involve mathematics, as a person recently said to me. Much expertise will be required. It also means working with semi-State bodies and private companies. I said 97% of all Internet traffic is subsea traffic. An enormous number of financial transactions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 116 together. On 14 December 2022, eight personnel from the 121st Infantry Battalion were involved in an incident resulting in the death of Private Seán Rooney and injuries suffered by several others, including Trooper Shane Kearney, who suffered critical injuries. I have consistently expressed my determination to have all the facts and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In response to both Deputies, I will not speculate any further at this stage, given how imminent the trial is. In the course of my meetings with the Minister for National Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon when I visited following the killing of Private Seán Rooney, I stressed the need for co-operation and the establishment of all the facts and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: On pay, I said in reply to an earlier question, there has been significant progress on pay for new recruits. Current pay rates, including military service allowances for recruits on completion of their training, start at €37,147 in year 1, rising to €38,544 in year 2 and €39,832 in year 3 of service. A school-leaver cadet, on commissioning, is paid €41,123....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Telecommunications Infrastructure (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. It is fair to say we have witnessed a fundamental change in our security environment in the last year with a renewed focus on maritime security and the protection of subsea cables. Protecting them on an ongoing basis is not a task that Ireland can shoulder alone. It requires international co-operation, shared responsibilities and mutual trust....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: It has been very far-reaching. It was very much based on the independent review group, to be frank, which probably exceeded people's expectations in the clarity of its language. Although it is not a finding of fact, and the judge was clear on that, the conclusions are nonetheless very stark and shocking, as I said in the House. The objective of the exercise is to have findings of fact in...