Results 9,201-9,220 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The programme for Government commits to the retention of the triple lock but the context has changed because of the war in Ukraine and the behaviour of Russia on the UN Security Council. If we look at Ireland's performance on the UN Security Council for the past two years, it has been quite effective and impactful, particularly in facilitating humanitarian access to areas of significant and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December 2022 was 7,987. The strength in July 2022 was 8,194; 8,146 in August; 8,103 in September; 8,074 in October and 8,049 in November. We have previously acknowledged, and I do so now, that the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service are very serious. I received a briefing yesterday from...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since my appointment I have reviewed the situation. The first priority is to get back to a strength of 9,500. The situation is not good right now in terms of the Naval Service in particular. The numbers are simply too low. We need a radical look at the entire organisation of the Naval Service in the context of recruitment and retention. It is simply not tenable right now in terms of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I just gave the figures earlier. Right now we are hovering at about 8,000. It will take some time, certainly, within the next two to three years, to get to the figure of 9,500, maybe sooner. Yesterday there was a significant briefing on the investment we are going to put into Gormanston as a centre of excellence for induction training. That should have happened before now. It is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have given the details on what is now going to happen with the LÉ Róisín and the LÉ Niamh. Two inshore patrol vessels have been purchased to replace the LÉ Orlaand the LÉ Ciara. Again, there are issues around trying to expand the catchment area in terms of the recruitment pool into the Naval Service. There are some thoughts on that which we discussed...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government, and its report was published on 9 February 2022. The commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his kind comments on my appointment as Minister for Defence and for his heartfelt comments on the very sad passing of Private Seán Rooney. I visited his comrades in Lebanon last week. We can talk about that later. As the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed this with my officials in recent days. A final management position on the implementation of the directive will be submitted to me for my consideration and approval. Thereafter, our officials will work with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who will take forward the appropriate legislative framework. I have asked my officials to expedite this,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the newly appointed Minister for Defence, I am fully committed to this and see the importance of it in the context not only of the recruitment, but the retention of personnel within the Defence Forces. It is important that the dialogue with the representative associations bears fruit. We could proceed with legislation oblivious to those engagements with the representative associations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 55 and 63 together. On 14th December 2022, eight personnel from the 121st Infantry Battalion were involved in an incident resulting in the death of Private Seán Rooney and injuries suffered by a number of others, including Trooper Shane Kearney who suffered critical injuries. This tragic event has brought home to all of us the fragility of peace...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of recruitment strategies generally, as I have already highlighted, my immediate focus is on stabilising the staffing situation in the Naval Service, and thereafter on bringing the strength of the Naval Service and Defence Forces generally, to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.  Within...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 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 and this is not in question. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF), published last February, equally serves to reinforce that commitment and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (2 Feb 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 and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: In 2020, an individual commenced considerable correspondence detailing allegations of sexual misconduct within the Permanent Defence Force. The incidences spanned a broad period between the 1970s and 1990s. The allegations included one of the existence of a paedophile ring in the Curragh Camp. The individual sought an acknowledgement that abuse happened, a statement of apology and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like to state that all doctors employed by the Defence Forces are fully qualified. The military authorities inform me that the current number of Defence Forces Medical Officers is twenty-two (22), plus one (1) civilian consultant psychiatrist. The establishment figure, including the position of psychiatrist, is 28.  The effective Medical Officer strength is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Government decisions are made on the basis of the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.  Article 28.4.2? of the Constitution provides that: "the Government shall meet and act as a collective authority, and shall be collectively responsible for the Departments of State administered by the members of Government." In that context, decisions made by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Representative Associations for the Defence Forces, namely PDFORRA and RACO since taking up the role of Minister for Defence on 17 December 2022.However I did speak with both organisations soon after I was appointed .  I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Representative Associations, in due course, on matters that fall within...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, the report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022.  The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference.  It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (2 Feb 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. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 68 together. The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment.  As of 1 January 2023, Ireland is contributing 349 personnel to this mission.  Ireland has contributed troops to UNIFIL since 1978. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces have a key role to play in Lebanese stability.  As a member of the...