Results 9,241-9,260 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: 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 the Battlegroup, as a rapid response capability, includes the role of acting as an initial entry force to stabilise a situation pending the deployment of a follow-on force, to support an established...

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

Micheál Martin: Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, Ireland has been and remains resolute in solidarity with and support for Ukraine. Ireland continues to provide strong political and practical support for Ukraine and we continue to assert Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At European level, significant time and effort over the past number of years has been invested...

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

Micheál Martin: As part of the whole of Government response to the Ukrainian situation, the following military installations have been made available for accommodation needs: - Kilbride Camp, Wicklow, - Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, - Former Columb Barracks, Mullingar. Previously a facility was made available at the request of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth at...

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: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: As Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, I look forward to meeting with the Representative Associations for the Permanent Defence Force and engaging with them on matters that fall within the scope of representation. This could include the matters that the Deputy has raised, should the Representative Associations indicate a wish to discuss these matters.   I would like to assure 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: Official Travel (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 64 and 70 together. Having visited Lebanon in May 2022 as Taoiseach, I wanted to make an early return to Camp Shamrock in my capacity as Minister for Defence.  The tragic death of Private Seán Rooney on 14th December made that return visit to Lebanon even more important. During my visit to Lebanon last week, I was accompanied by the...

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

Micheál Martin: As Minister for Defence, I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning (GTF) supported by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in my Department. A subgroup of the GTF was assigned responsibility to develop guidance on critical infrastructure resilience in 2017. The subgroup produced the first guideline document on critical infrastructure resilience in February 2019. This document...

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate. ...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authority that there are a total of one hundred and thirty-four (134) occupied and unoccupied married quarters under the stewardship of my Department.  The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy. The Deputy will be aware that it is a long-standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided.  There...

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

Micheál Martin: With the establishment of the LDA in September 2018, the accompanying Government announcement confirmed that two Defence properties would transfer to the LDA namely the St. Bricin’s facility (Dublin City) and the former Columb Barracks (Mullingar). To that end, officials in my Department have worked with the Chief State Solicitor's Office as a priority matter to finalise...

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

Micheál Martin: Since the 1990s, the long-standing policy of the organisation has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees.  The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time. My...

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

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main 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, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks such as search and rescue, diving...

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

Micheál Martin: For 2023, the total allocation provided to Vote 36 – Defence is €915 million, which is an increase of €79 million on 2022, and includes a capital allocation of €176 million. This allocation is the highest capital investment allocation ever received by Defence and represents an annual increase of €35 million or 25% on 2022. The principal demand drivers of...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. The equality and diversity policy objectives as detailed in the White Paper on Defence, which includes explicit commitment to the principles of equal opportunity in all employment policies,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The goal of my Department’s Property Strategy 2022-25 is to deliver a network of high quality, safe, secure and sustainable workplaces to double Ireland’s global impact and influence to 2025 and beyond. That network comprises 101 diplomatic and consular missions around the world, of which 70 are Embassies.  Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 is a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that the circumstances of this case have been very difficult for the family.  The Department of Foreign Affairs has had significant engagement on this case in the years since the citizen's disappearance, including with the Spanish authorities.  As with all missing person cases, the responsibility for investigation lies with the relevant policing authority. The Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Cross-Departmental International Sanctions Committee (“CDISC”) monitors, reviews, and coordinates the implementation, administration and exchange of information on EU and UN sanctions in Ireland. CDISC is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and comprises officials from the various Departments and agencies that are responsible for Ireland's sanctions policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has made clear its concerns on an ongoing basis about the overall human rights situation in Türkiye. It is an issue which I will continue to raise wherever the opportunity arises. As a member of the Oireachtas delegation to its Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), the Deputy will be aware of the Council of Europe’s extensive engagement in this area. The Council of Europe...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The UK Government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged. In 2011 the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed with the British Foreign Secretary that the British and Irish Governments would seek to resolve the jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.  ...