Results 9,221-9,240 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by Government,...

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

Micheál Martin: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under...

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

Micheál Martin: The White Paper published in 2015 set out the roles of the Defence Forces, these roles were not changed in the White Paper Update 2019.   The White Paper on Defence published in 2015 set out the Government intention to put in place a new fixed cycle of defence reviews.  Such reviews are common practice internationally and give reassurance that policy remains up to date and...

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that the Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements. The most recent agreement, the extension to the ‘Building Momentum’ pay agreement, ratified by the Defence sector Representative Associations last autumn, provided for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 48 together. The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.  One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces and their report was published on the 9th February...

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: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 37, 38 and 53 together. The attached tables contain the requested details of enlisted personnel who discharged from the Air Corp and the Naval Services, in 2021 and 2022. The Government has previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general.  Challenges have existed in recruiting and...

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

Micheál Martin: Irish Defence Forces' personnel are currently deployed in the European Union Training Mission Mali (EUTM Mali).  Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since its launch in 2013. Government has approved the mandate for the deployment of up to twenty (20) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with EUTM Mali up to 23 March 2023.     Following the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 69 together. The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces made it clear that the level of ambition (LOA) for the Defence Forces needed to be elevated beyond that at which it was operating. In that context, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to LOA 2. This will require an...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 39 together. In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government recently agreed to my proposal to approve 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. Within the EU Battlegroup concept, the purpose of...

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

Micheál Martin: The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary defence and security role.  It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security related tasks on an "as available" basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE's Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence Acts set out the conditions under which Permanent Defence Force personnel may be deployed overseas. My Department will soon commence work on a Strategic Defence Review, which will provide an opportunity to review all aspects of defence policy, including the conditions under which Defence Forces' personnel are deployed overseas. Arising from the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Feb 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 the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the...

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

Micheál Martin: The White Paper on Defence Published in 2015 set out the Government intention to put in place a new fixed cycle of defence reviews.  Such reviews are common practice internationally and give reassurance that policy remains up to date and relevant to changing future circumstances. The White Paper set out that every three years there will be a White Paper update that would consider...

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

Micheál Martin: Prior to Ireland's first participation in an EU Battlegroup, the legal, operational and other issues surrounding participation in battlegroups were considered by an interdepartmental working group established by the then Minister for Defence. This interdepartmental group included representatives of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 61 together. I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority. The Judge-led...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 71 together. As of 1 January 2023, Ireland is contributing 556 personnel to 7 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 349 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria...

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

Micheál Martin: I would like confirm to the Deputy that the the Workplace Relations Commission recommendations on anti-discrimination law arising from a decision in December 2020 are currently being implemented by the Military Authorities. As part of this body of work a report from a Defence Forces Working Group, comprising membership from the Defence Forces HR, Legal and Training & Education HQ...

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

Micheál Martin: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has fundamentally changed the security and defence landscape in Europe. This is reflected in a significant increase in investment in defence expenditure across Europe as well as the decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO, which reduces further the number of non-NATO members in the European Union. Shortly after the invasion, EU...