Results 8,361-8,380 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a long-standing commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting two-State solution. A two-State solution based on international law and internationally agreed parameters represents the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace. Since 7 October, I have been engaged with my European Union counterparts and regional...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Avoiding a wider escalation of this conflict is a key focus of the urgent engagement that I have been undertaking in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I strongly urge all relevant actors to step back from any further escalation and I have taken careful note of the statement made last Friday by the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In line with the National AI strategy, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. I have been advised by OGCIO that they have deployed AI powered security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces have almost 500 personnel serving between the three UN missions in the region – United Nations Interim Force Lebanon, UNIFIL (319), United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF (136) and United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation UNTSO (13). The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The target for payment of pension is normally the next available payroll conditional on receipt of all necessary supporting documentation and resolution of any queries arising therefrom. Military pensions are paid monthly and any amendments to the payroll must adhere to strict payroll monthly closedown deadlines. If these monthly deadlines are not met, the pension cannot commence until the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Statements of Interests for the purpose of Section 19 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, were filed by two Special Advisers at the end of their employment in June 2020. Since that date no special advisers have been employed by the Department of Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the advertising spend for my Department and agencies under its remit, for each of the years 2020 to 2022 in this regard. Subhead A22.2 of the Defence Vote covers expenditure on Advertisements for both the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. The Department is not in a position to provide a further breakdown as many contracts are with agencies and information...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Forestry Sector (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the Department has not issued any forestry licences in 2023, and has no plans to issue any licences in 2024 as the majority of land holdings are active military ranges.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: There has been an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship between the Irish Defence Forces and Armed Forces of Malta since 2009, which has seen Maltese personnel train alongside Irish Cadets. There is currently one Maltese cadet in training in the Cadet School with the 99th cadet class, which is due to be commissioned in Q1 2024. While the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) did request a place...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: While my Department and the Defence Forces have had no engagement with the Government of Israel, or agencies of same, on any matters for years 2021-2023, I am advised that my Department and the Defence Forces have engaged with Israeli companies in relation to the procurement of defensive equipment, and maintenance and training on same during the years specified. In 2022, this engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that neither my Department nor the Defence Forces have had any engagement with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there are no apprentice carpenters in the Defence Forces. Thirteen personnel in the Permanent Defence Force are currently registered in the carpentry stream of the Defence Force Trainee Technician Scheme. Seven personnel qualified through this scheme during 2023. The trainees undertake “on the Job” work experience and training within...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me, as Minister for Defence, is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that they can carry out all of the roles assigned to them by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Engagement in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects is one of the ways in which we can achieve...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not currently have any engagement with the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the acquisition of goods and services. This is an EU law requirement and in accordance with the Defence and Security Directive. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not currently hold any contracts with the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that my officials are unaware of any such incidents and accordingly they have sought details, if any, from the Air Corps. As soon as the material requested is available I will arrange to have same forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department currently holds one contract with the company referred to by the Deputy in respect of ICT consultancy services. The value of the contract is €240,000 (ex VAT).

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not currently hold any contracts with the company referred to by the Deputy.