Results 7,501-7,520 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) sets out the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States. Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. The Strategic Compass, which was approved in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. I wish to assure you, however, that I am fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to its members. This is in line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 92 together. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 May 2023, the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,764 personnel. I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. Sanction has recently been received for 100 extra positions to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 99 and 112 together. The Government has agreed to progress, as a priority, the recommendations in the Report of the Independent Review Group. The establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints in relation to interpersonal issues, including but not limited to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government agreed to establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces, on a non-statutory basis initially, in line with one of the thirteen recommendations of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces published on March 28th. The Government moved quickly to establish the Body, making the following appointments on April 5thProfessor Brian...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 111 together. The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in last year's report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 117 together. The military authorities have provided the information in the following table, detailing the total number of personnel inducted into, and discharged from, the Defence Forces in each of the years 2013 to 2023 (as at 31st May). Year Total Inducted Total Discharges 2023* 149 293...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 119 together. Military management remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted into the Defence Forces. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 101 together. The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will take place in three different locations over four days starting in University College Cork on 22 June. It will then move to the University of Galway on the 23 June and conclude in Dublin Castle on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle. Louise Richardson, DBE, has been appointed as Chair....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This endorsement envisages, inter alia, increasing capital investment on equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The so-called “Triple Lock” mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment of more than 12 members of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations overseas, is set down in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended. The legislation provides that:the operation must be mandated by the United...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The European Security and Defence landscape has been redefined by Russia’s appalling and illegal military aggression against Ukraine over the past eighteen months, with the focus very much on the continued provision of EU support to Ukraine and bolstering the defence capabilities of the EU, while acknowledging the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Housing Provision (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Upon publication of the LDA report referred to by the Deputy, my Department attended a meeting of the Inter Department Sub-Group on State Lands and Property Group earlier this year. The purpose of the briefing was to allow the LDA explain the background to their statutory report and also to facilitate discussions in relation to a number of existing and former military installations, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 118 together. The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF and, in 2022, a recruitment drive was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As a serving member of the Defence Forces approaches retirement, either on age grounds or voluntarily, there are a range of supports made available to them by the Defence Forces. Transition to Civilian Life courses are conducted by Defence Forces Personnel Support Service teams throughout the year. These courses are aimed at personnel who are retiring on age grounds or who are simply...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have instructed the Defence Forces to carry out an assessment of the vacant housing stock to ascertain their suitability to a return to modern single living in accommodation usage for serving personnel. I am advised that my officials together with the Defence Forces are currently developing proposals to inform the Request for Tenders to commence the procurement process for same....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Military Medicine Training Scheme was adopted by the Defence Forces in 2015 as a means of addressing ongoing difficulties with the recruitment and retention of Medical Officers. The programme is integrated with the Trinity College Dublin/Health Service Executive GP training scheme. There are presently three (3) trainee doctors taking part in the Scheme. I am advised that the Scheme...