Results 8,001-8,020 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 27 together. I have been advised by the military authorities that they forecast a total of 709 General Service Recruits and Cadets being inducted in 2023. The Defence Forces remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted and so will continue to also target Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technicians and specialists for the Army, Air...

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

Micheál Martin: It is difficult to make a definitive comparison on Defence Forces salaries and remuneration internationally. There is ultimately no ‘one size fits all’ global or regional benchmark for this individual category of expenditure. It is important to note, however, that the biggest constituent element of Irish defence expenditure, consistently, is personnel spend, incorporating both...

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

Micheál Martin: I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces. There is no question that the government is attempting to recruit its way out of the situation as suggested in the press article referred to. Whilst general service recruitment, targeted service specific recruitment and direct entry recruitment continue, as well as re-entry schemes, these are complemented...

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

Micheál Martin: The following accommodation projects at a combined cost of some €37m are being progressed during 2023/2024 :Collins Barracks, New Accommodation Block Upgrade of Former USAC Building, Renmore Refurbishment of Block 4 Haulbowline Refurbishment of Block 1, Collins Barracks Refurbishment of Stephens Block C, Kilkenny Gormanston Camp - New Accommodation Block These projects will provide...

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

Micheál Martin: In December 2021, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform agreed to allow the extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 1994, to allow them to remain in service up to 50 years of age, subject to them meeting certain criteria including medical and fitness standards. An interim arrangement...

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

Micheál Martin: The so-called “Triple Lock” mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment 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 Nations; * it must...

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

Micheál Martin: I was delighted to be given the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) on 9 May 2023, in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath. It was a Conference that was tinged with great sadness. I spoke to delegates about the risk that comes with the important service that the Defence Forces provide and how this risk became a tragic reality last December when...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces and the Department of Defence work with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which has the lead role in relation to cyber-security in Ireland, on an on-going basis in the delivery of measures to improve the cyber security of the State, as outlined in the National Cyber Security Strategy. This includes participation on the inter-departmental National...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: 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 on the Commission on the Defence Forces. This is in addition to the pending appointments of a civilian Head of...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas, in support of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and where it is in the best interests of the PDF. In light of RDF members being deployed on a voluntary basis, it is necessary to consider preparation of employment protection...

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

Micheál Martin: Neither the Defence Forces nor my Department monitor the incidence of homelessness amongst former members of the Defence Forces. My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel of the Defence Forces, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (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 to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, both at home and overseas. The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron, working in conjunction with the Naval Service, patrol the Irish...

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

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is 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 in tandem with maritime defence and security operations (MDSO)....

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

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces reinforced the requirement for significant capital investment in defensive equipment programmes and on upgrading and modernising Defence Forces built infrastructure. The approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces will result in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 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. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government remains fully committed to the advancement of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The 2015 White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) equally serves to reinforce that commitment and as the Deputy will be aware, that Report contains many recommendations...

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

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contained a commitment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to healthcare as officers currently do". This commitment was subsequently endorsed as a recommendation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in February 2022, and is one of the early actions for implementation from that report under the...

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

Micheál Martin: The core task of the EU Common Security and Defence naval operation, Operation Irini, is to contribute to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution UNSCR 2292 (2016) and subsequent Resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya. As the Deputy will be aware, the Dáil recently approved the deployment of an...

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

Micheál Martin: The First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is no set establishment for the FLR. The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve or Naval Service Reserve. This is...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department works closely with a number of European Union working groups in order to enhance and build societal resilience including the protection of critical infrastructure. My Department is the focal point for the new European Critical Entities Resilience Directive which aims to enhance the resilience of critical entities that provide services essential for vital societal functions...