Results 7,721-7,740 of 9,550 for speaker:Jack Chambers
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: We are seeing a haemorrhaging of numbers across the Defence Forces. Last year over 700 members left, despite 750 being recruited. The Minister of State is below the target set in the White Paper on defence. Is this an acceptable level of haemorrhaging? What is the Minister of State doing to address it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I have a lot of questions.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: Last year, as many were leaving as were being recruited. What is the Minister of State doing about that issue? He is not matching the target set in the White Paper on defence. In the submission made by the Chief of Staff division of the Defence Forces the conclusions state 2,831 personnel have left in the past five years. That is the equivalent of 29.8% of the organisation. It is a...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: Obviously there is no compliance currently with the working time directive. Is the Minister of State committed to seeing it recognised? With regard to strength in-station, I have figures that show the 7th Infantry Battalion is 64% below, the 6th Infantry Battalion is 64% below and the 28th Infantry Battalion is 56% below recognised and established strength in-station. I could go on. The...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: Yes I have two more questions. The national cybersecurity committee probably discusses the issues at EU Council level but how prepared is Ireland to address such serious issues around national cybersecurity? The NHS in the UK nearly ground to a halt with such difficulties, as did one of the county councils in Ireland and the HSE. There are serious international threats and other countries...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: It was-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I did not come for a history lesson. I want to know about the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, and his work.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I am not here for a history lesson. I ask the Minister of State to address the questions I asked.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I did not make any political charge. I asked questions.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: The Minister of State did not mention anything to do with their pay and conditions.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: The Minister of State could have given us an update in his script. That is all.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: It was in the study.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: Through the Chairman, when will the issue of the working time directive be addressed?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: Through the Chairman, does the Minister of State want to see our policy of neutrality retained?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I asked the Minister of State about the cross-Border initiative and healthcare for soldiers and other members of the Defence Forces.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I also asked about healthcare for soldiers.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I am aware of personnel who are being retired because of the waiting list-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: The Minister of State should ask PDFORA which has had to pay for private diagnostics tests. There are personnel who cannot secure a potential promotion and are being retired against their will. That issue needs to be looked at.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: I have a final question. Has the joint committee requested the Chief of Staff to appear before it since this Dáil commenced?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Defence and Related Matters (26 Apr 2018)
Jack Chambers: He could still come before us. Would the Minister of State be happy for him to come before the committee?