Results 8,501-8,520 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: To be fair to all concerned, it must be acknowledged that there have been improvements in pay, conditions and various allowances over the last two and a half years. That progress will continue. Unrelenting negativity being articulated all the time by the Defence Forces is not optimal either. There can be room for improvement, but there comes a time when we must affirm and promote the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I do. We have a timeframe within the Department. It is being discussed at the moment in the scheme.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are acutely aware of the situation facing the Naval Service with respect to staff numbers. A number of initiatives have been taken, including increasing the pay rates significantly compared with previous rates. Current pay rates in the first three years of service, including military service allowances, for the rank of private, three-star able seaman start at €37,147 in year 1 and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have made it clear I want the working time directive to be introduced. A conciliation arbitration facility is in place in which engagement and discussions with the representative organisations are taking place. That is the forum where these issues will be resolved and they need to be resolved. I will not engage in a megaphone approach to those discussions. They must be resolved in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The sea cables relate to a much broader issue that involves other colleagues.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Without question, 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 have historically been considerably lower than in other types of employment and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That policy emerged in the 1990s for different reasons and in a different context. The issue the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is concerned about is fast accrual pensions. I have had discussions with the Minister. An interdepartmental group is working on this matter because it applies across the board, not only to military personnel but...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have been involved in PESCO for years now and it has not impacted our military neutrality. Our military neutrality is defined by whether we are members of a military alliance and we are clearly not a member of a military alliance. We are not members of NATO and we do not participate in a European Union common defence pact; there is no such pact. I am at a loss to how the Deputy can...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Successive Secretaries General of the United Nations have endorsed the development of the EU battle group concept and Ireland's participation in it. As I said, participation in EU battle groups supports the development of rapid deployment skills and capabilities within the Defence Forces and would improve interoperability with like-minded states. It ultimately assists us in participating in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the reality of the triple lock.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The triple lock is about a mandate from the UN Security Council. Putin is more interested in the Wagner Group being in Africa than a UN peacekeeping force being there. That is the reality so we need to discuss this issue without throwing around slogans and all of that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government has previously acknowledged, as do I, the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general. In response to the specific challenges in the Naval Service, a comprehensive regeneration plan is being progressed and monitored by a high-level civil and military team. The aim of this plan is to address all of the issues, including human resource...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Two inshore patrol vessels were purchased for €26 million on a government-to-government basis from New Zealand to replace the now...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Clarke should acknowledge that the pay and conditions have improved significantly over the past two years, particularly for new recruits, and compare favourably with other employments and occupations. Those coming in after the leaving certificate enjoy a base rate of approximately €37,000. The basic pay has increased and there have been other improvements. There will be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will be bringing proposals in respect of that matter to the Government shortly. I have met the flag officer and visited Haulbowline. I met the Chief of Staff and his team in respect of recruitment and retention issues, more specifically in respect of the Naval Service because the numbers are not what they should be and need to be significantly increased. On pay and conditions,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Neither the decision to withdraw the Defence Forces infantry group from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force nor the decision that the Defence Forces should participate in the next European Union battle group has any implications for Ireland's long-standing position of military neutrality. I note the Deputy did not explain how he has come to the view that it does. At the time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 35 together. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) were purchased for €26 million on a Government to Government basis from New Zealand, to replace the now decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. The ceremonial handover of the vessels took place in Auckland last week, representing the culmination of a year long project to regenerate and modify...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Policy (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) since 1999. Our relationship with NATO is partner-led, which allows us to choose those areas on which we wish to cooperate and the extent to which we wish to cooperate. Over the past 24 years, participation in Partnership for Peace has been fundamental to Ireland being able to keep abreast of developments in areas such as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Let me be clear, participation in a Battlegroup has no effect on our traditional policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. The decision to participate in an EU Battlegroup does not presume any further decision in relation to participation in an actual Battlegroup operation. Any such decision is...