Results 9,121-9,140 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: It needs to be taken head on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's approach is about distortion and deliberately trying to obfuscate and undermine decent debate.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would be happy to do so. I outlined quite a number of the plans already. We are looking at about 588 beds between what has happened and the following projects, which are at various stages of design development. In Cork there will be 186 beds between Collins Barracks and Haulbowline. Those are on their way at the moment. I have seen the work myself. There will be 48 beds in Kilkenny,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the intention. We have to get this project up and running first but it is going well. I have also asked for more single en-suite provision, although not in all cases. We will upgrade the quality of the facilities that are being provided. The Haulbowline facilities are worth a visit but again there could have been some improvements there and full equality from a gender perspective...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 34 and 35 together. The consultative forum will take place in three different locations over four days at the end of June, on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26 and 27 June at Dublin Castle. In line with similar national processes, an independent chairperson was selected to chair the consultative...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been part of the Common Security and Defence Policy for well over 20 years. We always opted in; we did not opt out. Denmark recently had a referendum to opt in, having stayed out for over two decades. We have been a partner for peace with NATO since 1999 and have been involved in a number of projects in that context. That is an individually tailored programme where given...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: When I suggested a citizens' assembly, Deputy Murphy was against it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Oh yes you were.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: You were. Through the Chair, the Deputy was against any discussion about this.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: There was consultation, and the consultation is ongoing. When we had a meeting, on the terms of reference, we presented a basic draft - I emphasise "draft" - terms of reference, which is reasonable as a starting point in terms of discussions with group. The meeting was quite amicable. The press statement afterwards surprised me given the nature of the discussion we had. I have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the Permanent Defence Force provides a significant level of single living accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required by personnel for training and operations duties. There are in excess of 4,500 places currently within all the military installations. I am pleased to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Significant investment is under way in the accommodation. On the precise use of that accommodation, currently it is, for training and operational reasons, tied to work, etc. Historically, there was what we would call "tied" housing within the military where housing was provided. It was known then as tied housing provision. In the early 1990s, the discontinuance of that started for a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is such a plan. There is a yearly programme. For example, the following accommodation projects at a cost of €37 million will progress during 2023 and 2024 providing 365 beds: Collins Barracks, a new accommodation block; the upgrade of the former USAC building in Renmore; the refurbishment of block 4, Haulbowline; the refurbishment of block 1, Collins Barracks; the refurbishment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is an external oversight body in respect of the Defence Forces. It would not be appropriate to have a member of the Defence Forces there. That is not casting aspersions on anybody or any organisation. I regret the focus from the military community in respect of the fact the Secretary General of the Department is part of it. That is not fair or reasonable. There is a logic to it, by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I am sure the Deputy will be aware, I am currently progressing a comprehensive programme of actions to address the extremely serious issues identified in the independent review group report. As I said in my initial response to the report, a completely honest appraisal of the problems and a comprehensive plan to address them is the only way to honour the contribution of serving and retired...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Before the report of the independent review group was published, the Opposition in this House and people were asking me whether I would implement the recommendations in full. I have not deviated from the recommendation in respect of the oversight group. The criticisms are unfair. They are not reasonable and are very unfair on the Secretary General. To compare it to the situation of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is not just the Women of Honour.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: On the pay front, very significant progress has been made, in particular on starting pay. As I said, the extension of private secondary health care and other allowances have been worked on. We will continue to try to improve the overall situation in terms of the remuneration package that Defence Forces personnel receive. The minimum for trained personnel comprises basic pay and military...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are a number of measures, such as pay and so on. A new integrated multidisciplinary state-of-the-art training centre is being developed in Gormanston where all recruits, be they Air Corps, Navy or Army, will be together. We have more to do in that regard. I am confident that with the continued investment we are committed to, we can significantly improve the situation. There is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As he will be aware, the Government agreed to establish the external oversight body of the Defence Forces on a non-statutory basis initially, in line with one of the 13 recommendations of the independent review group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces published on 28 March. The Government moved quickly to establish the body, making...