Results 81-100 of 6,255 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There was not a person in Ireland who wanted us to withdraw troops from the Golan Heights or was in favour of that, and that was done for budgetary reasons. That was for budgetary reasons because of the Government. That was the primary obstacle. The last time Irish troops were pulled out of a peacekeeping mission, it was entirely the decision of the Irish Government and it was not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Much of the Tánaiste's response related more to the recruitment side of things. We have a significant challenge in that regard and we are not out of the woods by any manner of means.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: My specific question primarily relates to the retention of highly skilled people. I have put to the Tánaiste previously that much of the debate on this topic has been for an external audience. In truth, for all the big speeches, much of the substance of what is needed to ensure the sustainability of the Defence Forces is absent. The Tánaiste has been talking about fighter jets...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As I understand it, the scheme to which the Tánaiste referred relates specifically to pilots.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Defences Forces face challenges. If anybody is going to be decoupling the issues of pay and recruitment, it certainly will not be me. It is very much the case that they are linked. The point I am raising relates to the retention of existing staff and not recruiting new staff, which is also a challenge. Aside from the category that is covered by the service commitment, there are whole...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 152. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider the introduction of service commitment schemes to retain key specialist functions within the Defence Forces and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We all share a great deal of concern about the challenges faced by the Defence Forces in recruitment and retention. It is severe right across the organisation but it is felt most keenly in the area of specialist staff such as air traffic controllers, engineers and explosive ordnance disposals officers. This is a major challenge. There is a lot of competition from the private sector. We...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 187. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for the amount of funding surrendered from his Department to the Exchequer in 2024; the reason the allocated funds were unspent; and the amount he expects his Department to surrender in 2025, and the reason therefor. [18072/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 199. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the professional instructor payment, committed to by the Government, will be paid to commissioned officer instructors in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18070/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 213. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of residential Defence Forces buildings currently not habitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18073/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 241. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made on the implementation of the rulings of the Adjudicator and Arbitration Board regarding the prohibition of the appointment holder of the Director of Military Prosecutions from being a member of a representative association; whether he will implement those rulings immediately by amending the relevant terms and conditions and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 242. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that made on completing the review of Defence Forces medical services; when that review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23121/25]

Childcare: Motion (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Families are absolutely broken and struggling with the cost of childcare. Very often, I am not sure people in this place fully understand the pressure the cost of childcare puts on families. That is if families even can get a place. There are some people for whom money is no issue but they simply cannot find a place because of the underinvestment in childcare. For those for whom money is...

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Beidh mé ag roinnt ama leis na Teachtaí Crowe, McGuinness agus Bennett nuair a thagann siad.

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We mark Europe Day today, which reflects the history of and how the European Union came to be, and the very significant role it has played in Irish politics and history. We reflect on the positive elements of our relationship with the European Union as well as the areas of concern that require to be addressed. It is Sinn Féin's view and policy that Ireland's place is in the EU, but it...

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Perhaps he would like to clarify.

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Is there a particular point the Minister of State would like to make?

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I would like the Minister of State to elaborate.

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I invite the Minister to comment because I have heard him and some of his colleagues attempt to make mischief with Sinn Féin's analysis of the European Union. It is not terribly complicated: it is possible to be in an organisation and to criticise it. It is possible to retain the view that Ireland should be in the EU and to say that things could go better, for example, in terms of...

Europe Day: Statements (7 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I emphasise once again that the European Union must play a much stronger role. It was a source of great concern that it took so long to get a meeting to discuss the EU-Israel agreement. The fact is that favourable trade arrangements remain in place. I note the role of the EPP in voting against stopping the flow of arms to Israel. The Government's approach to the triple lock neutrality...