Results 10,381-10,400 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The Government remains fully committed to the advancement of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The 2015 White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and this is not in question. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF), published last February, equally serves to reinforce that commitment and...

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as...

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

Micheál Martin: In 2020, an individual commenced considerable correspondence detailing allegations of sexual misconduct within the Permanent Defence Force. The incidences spanned a broad period between the 1970s and 1990s. The allegations included one of the existence of a paedophile ring in the Curragh Camp. The individual sought an acknowledgement that abuse happened, a statement of apology and...

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

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like to state that all doctors employed by the Defence Forces are fully qualified. The military authorities inform me that the current number of Defence Forces Medical Officers is twenty-two (22), plus one (1) civilian consultant psychiatrist. The establishment figure, including the position of psychiatrist, is 28.  The effective Medical Officer strength is...

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Government decisions are made on the basis of the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.  Article 28.4.2? of the Constitution provides that: "the Government shall meet and act as a collective authority, and shall be collectively responsible for the Departments of State administered by the members of Government." In that context, decisions made by...

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

Micheál Martin: I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Representative Associations for the Defence Forces, namely PDFORRA and RACO since taking up the role of Minister for Defence on 17 December 2022.However I did speak with both organisations soon after I was appointed .  I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Representative Associations, in due course, on matters that fall within...

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: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary 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. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 68 together. The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment.  As of 1 January 2023, Ireland is contributing 349 personnel to this mission.  Ireland has contributed troops to UNIFIL since 1978. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces have a key role to play in Lebanese stability.  As a member of the...

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...