Results 10,221-10,240 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his comments and questions. On recruitment to the Permanent Defence Forces, 435 personnel had been inducted, including 350 general service recruits, as of 31 December last, but, as I said earlier, that is not enough, not least in light of the number of retirements. There are difficulties relating to specialist skills and to those who develop specialist skills within...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: No, the tender has come back.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: In fairness, I admire the skill of those who put the notes together. Having been around a while, I do read between them. I do not mean this in a bad way. Basically, the competition was run in late 2022 and a letter of acceptance issued. This is done. There are the pre-contract signing negotiations, which happen normally in situations like this. I give it six months from now, potentially.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is over.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I know, and as the Minister for Defence I am saying it is over.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The stakeholders are also very important. We are all presuming that everyone in Cathal Brugha barracks is living in and around there, but I would say a fair few people are travelling fair distances as well. The feasibility study, however, should bring out the views of stakeholders and the strategic concerns around the defence and security of the capital. All these issues must be taken on board.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Regarding the proposed CHOD, we could go on forever on this point but I have been clear on it. The matter went for legal opinion within the existing legislative framework, in terms of the chain of command essentially. It is time to get off the fence on this issue now, not that I was ever on it. The entire system must make decisions on this matter. Again, this comes in the context of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Is that to buy them back?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the positive comments the Deputy made in respect of some elements of the Estimates. He is correct that, in December 2022, a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space for the provision of a new fixed-wing military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295 is highly versatile, as the Deputy said. It will be a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: It seems that way but sometimes when we make a post permanent, it is difficult to recruit for it. Some people prefer working for agencies. I will look at the issue. The Deputy knows more than I do, given his experience with the medical board of our Defence Forces.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is correct. I met advanced nursing practitioners and paramedics in Lebanon recently who were thrilled with their roles in the Defence Forces. I will look at it to see what the best model is to ensure we attract and recruit people into those roles in a sustainable way. The Naval Service patrol duty allowance is one of the issues we are discussing with the Department of Public...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thought the Deputy was suggesting that would happen. I am not requesting it. I would prefer it to be done in the context of the Bill if it is imminent.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on that question. It is an issue we need to resolve.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Where are they being paused?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Which apprenticeships are being paused or is it all of them?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: That would certainly not be as a result of the battle group.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have not been made aware of that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes. I will come back to the Deputy.