Results 9,641-9,660 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Developing and maintaining foreign language proficiency in our Embassies is important in building key relationships and enabling officers to integrate more deeply. A wide range of skills are required to carry out the functions of an Embassy and, to that end, the staffing profile of our Embassies include both posted staff and locally-hired staff. A total of 45 office staff, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have contracts or engaged the services of named companies.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Oireachtas Proceedings (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I have already stated in the Dáil when the matter was raised earlier this month, I believe that the Dáil record as a historical narrative in itself should be left as it stands because it is part of an infamous attempt to cover up what happened at Ballyseedy. I also spoke on the matter at a centenary commemoration of the Ballyseedy massacre earlier this month, where I...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: As of 1 March 2023, some 546 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas. The main overseas missions are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel. In relation to UNDOF, Permanent Defence Force personnel have been deployed to this UN mission since 2013....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would like to acknowledge the excellent service provided by Defence Forces personnel, past and present, to the State. On the matter of pensions, there are a number of different arrangements in place for spouses and children of former deceased Defence Forces personnel, depending on the rank of the deceased member and their start date with the Defence Forces. From 1970 onwards,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. One ship, LÉ Niamh, is in the process of a mid life refit which is expected to be complete in Quarter 3 2023, and a second ship LÉ Róisín, has been placed in operational reserve. There are four operational ships that remain available. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that the strength of the Naval Service as at 28 February 2023 stood at 767 out of the agreed strength of 1,094. The following table details the number of Naval Service personnel that have been inducted in 2022 and in 2023, as of that date: 2022 2023 Personnel Inducted 28 *0 *The military...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Having been briefed on this case, I believe that what happened was unacceptable. It is symptomatic of a wider problem, particularly concerning maternity issues within the Defence Forces and how they are dealt with. The Deputy will appreciate the work to implement the direction of the WRC is critical. While there has been progress to date, I have nevertheless directed that the process,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: What was happening was clearly out of line with normal practice in other workplaces. I have given very clear directions that there can be absolutely no discrimination or any processes or requests made of pregnant women within the Defence Forces that would not be contemplated in any other workplace.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes. I am very clear that there has to be a complete modernisation of approach to these issues within the Defence Forces. I have made that very clear.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 34 and 43 together. As I have already advised, 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. I assure the Deputies that the Government remains fully committed to ensuring the provisions of the working time directive are applied,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since coming into office, I have identified this issue as one on which I want to see progress. The heads of the Bill cannot be drafted until the discussions are completed within the confines of the subcommittee of the conciliation and arbitration scheme. That means discussing with the representative organisations and hearing their concerns, and that is ongoing. It makes sense for us to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I accept the principle that Deputy Ó Cuív and other Deputies have put forward, including Deputy Fitzpatrick earlier. To be fair, I outlined in the reply that a significant move has been made in respect of 21 years' service, I believe, and going to 50 years of age. I accept the basic principle that the world has changed. Ireland has gained 25 years in lifespan for Irish people...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are some in here too.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The point I am making is that we have to apply that to the Defence Forces. There are wider issues in respect of the fast accrual pension, which is at the core of it. I believe we can resolve those, and if a move is made, the Deputies opposite will be the very first to come back and ask what about another group that deserves similar treatment and so on. That is why the Department of Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: On the timeline issue, the Minister of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is very clear that the interdepartmental group is not a mechanism for allowing something to be buried, or whatever, but it needs to be resolved quickly. The interim measures I am talking about are within a much shorter timeframe.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I wish to confirm that the WRC recommendations on anti-discrimination law arising from a decision in December 2020, are currently being implemented by the military authorities with the support of my officials. As the Deputy will be aware, the WRC adjudicator directed, in the first instance, that a comprehensive review of training and information...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I have said, I am not going into the specifics because we want to meet groups and we want to-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020, which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on 9 February 2022. The commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Of the 130 recommendations of the commission, 48 have been accepted, 55 have been accepted in principle, 17 are subject to further evaluation and ten are to revert to Government. In respect of areas such as the chain of command and so on, I will revert to Government. In terms of the disposition of units and so on, there is work to be done and significant evaluation is required in respect of...