Results 8,821-8,840 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The Government has recently approved Ireland's participation in the next German-led EU Battlegroup, 2025, which will involve a two-year commitment from 1 January 2024. Battlegroups are a key component of the capabilities that the EU can make available in support of UN-authorised crisis management operations. As a concept, the purpose of the Battlegroup is as a rapid response capability,...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together. As you are aware, on 21 February the Government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31 January 2023. Current Strength (WTE) Agreed Strength Permanent Defence Force 7,959 9,500 Army 6,459 7,520 Air Corps...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 1 March 2023, is 706 whole time equivalent personnel. The table below shows the breakdown requested. Personnel Stream Strength as at 01/03/2023 Qualified pilots 96 Cadets currently completing military training* 14 Young officers...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Mar 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 (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 348, inclusive, together. As at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 563 whole time equivalent female members of the Permanent Defence Force out of a total WTE strength of 7,959. On the same date, 27 female members were serving overseas in addition to 1 female seconded to the UN. The requested breakdown of the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this. The strength of the...

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

Micheál Martin: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 January 2023, the effective female strength of the RDF is 187 members. In line with current policies and commitments, a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Trade Fairs (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: There was no attendance from the Department of Defence at this event. I am also informed by the Military authorities that no Defence Force representative attended this event.

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

Micheál Martin: To date, in my capacity as Minister for Defence, I have not spoken with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Ben Wallace MP. However, I intend to engage collectively and bilaterally with international colleagues as and when the opportunities present themselves. In that regard, I look forward to an opportunity to speak or meet with the UK Secretary of State for Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc. I am advised that the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in France and Canada in 2021, 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (7 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department's policy is that all personnel be accorded equality of opportunity and treatment. The statutory provisions relating to the use of words importing gender are set out in section 18(b) of the Interpretation Act 2005. This provides that a word importing the masculine gender shall be read as importing the feminine gender and vice-versa. Primary legislation relating to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I disagree with the Deputy saying that if the area was more affluent, this would not be acceptable.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: This Government is committed to prioritising schools that have bigger challenges than others.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Full stop. I do not know the circumstances of this school.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Regarding what the ask should have been, I do not know if the school has applied. I presume it has.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the key point.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry; I just wish to make this point. The Deputy spoke about the prefabs.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Of course they should be replaced. The issue is where is the application, when did it come in, what is its status, if the design team is finished and if it is progressing.