Results 7,981-8,000 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that, as of 31 March 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,807. The current establishment of the Defence Forces is 9,500. Sanction has recently been received for 100 extra positions to facilitate the implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. This is in addition to the pending appointments of a civilian head...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: There has been very significant investment in accommodation within the Defence Forces. I refer to single accommodation. This mainly relates to programmes of induction and training on recruitment. For example, one of the more significant investments was made in the naval centre at Haulbowline. Some very historic buildings there have been refurbished in a very well-designed and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am confident we can address the issues but we have some journey to go before we will see a net increase with more staff being recruited than retiring. That is particularly the case with the Naval Service. I am very concerned about the Naval Service. I have had discussions with the flag officer and the Chief of Staff in that regard. The numbers within the Naval Service are a serious...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I certainly have.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's intervention and the Deputy's query. Regarding the Deputy's reference to the then Minister, Deputy Coveney's statement, I do not see anything in it that requires a correction of the Dáil record. The two important points we have consistently made in terms of national security is that everything we do as a country is in line with our military...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am sure the Deputy has read the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. It is there for the public to read. We have limited capabilities to monitor or intercept foreign aircraft in Irish skies. We are a military neutral country. Given our size and so on, we have limited capabilities. That is not a secret. It was well documented by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed to progress as a priority the 13 recommendations of the independent review group, IRG, including the setting up an external oversight body - on a non-statutory basis initially - to increase transparency and accountability and to drive necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces. I moved quickly on the establishment of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government has to act. I became the Minister for Defence in the context of the Commission on the Defence Forces and have been repeatedly asked and criticised in the House over the lack of momentum and progress on its recommendations, even though we have implemented many of them. I am not going to have the same complaint made in respect of the IRG's recommendations. I wanted to show...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. I think this is the first time he is asking questions in his capacity as spokesperson on defence. I congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to ongoing engagement. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has fully supported the establishment of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and Government approval is in place in respect of the areas where the Defence Forces can contribute to the mission, responding to the identified needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The aim of EUMAM Ukraine, formally established on 17 October 2022, is to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: EU Defence Ministers most recently met in Brussels in March with their Foreign Affairs' colleagues in a joint session. In my unavoidable absence, this meeting was attended by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Mr. Peter Burke TD. Among the topics discussed were EU Support to Ukraine and progress made on the Implementation of the Strategic Compass. While...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 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. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: While acknowledging the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held and the many honest hardworking individuals amongst the ranks, as I have already stated, one cannot but be disturbed and upset by the contents in the Report of the Independent Review Group. The conclusions in the Report are stark and shocking and go to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 44 and 200 together. 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 I am fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to its members....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 49 together. As I have outlined in my response to an earlier question, the Government has agreed to progress the Independent Review Group’s thirteen recommendations, including the setting up an External Oversight Body, on a non-statutory basis initially, to increase transparency and accountability; and to drive necessary culture change...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that, as at the end of March 2023, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces stood at 7,807, comprised of 6,333 Army personnel, 716 Air Corp personnel and 758 Naval Service personnel. The current establishment of the Defence Forces is 9,500 personnel. Sanction has recently been received for 100 extra positions to facilitate the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in the Permanent Defence Force are considerably lower than in other employments. A joint civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages and service limits in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As of 1 May 2023, Ireland is contributing 534 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 333 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel.Ireland also contributes observers and staff...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 36, 42 and 52 together. While acknowledging the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held and the many honest hardworking individuals amongst the ranks, one cannot but be disturbed and upset by the contents in the Report of the Independent Review Group. It is stark and shocking and goes to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, this Government has committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in...