Results 10,401-10,420 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary defence and security role.  It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security related tasks on an "as available" basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE's Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Defence Acts set out the conditions under which Permanent Defence Force personnel may be deployed overseas. My Department will soon commence work on a Strategic Defence Review, which will provide an opportunity to review all aspects of defence policy, including the conditions under which Defence Forces' personnel are deployed overseas. Arising from the implementation of 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: Departmental Reviews (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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 relevant to changing future circumstances. The White Paper set out that every three years there will be a White Paper update that would consider...

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

Micheál Martin: Prior to Ireland's first participation in an EU Battlegroup, the legal, operational and other issues surrounding participation in battlegroups were considered by an interdepartmental working group established by the then Minister for Defence. This interdepartmental group included representatives of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 61 together. 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...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 71 together. As of 1 January 2023, Ireland is contributing 556 personnel to 7 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 349 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria...

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

Micheál Martin: I would like confirm to the Deputy that the the Workplace Relations Commission recommendations on anti-discrimination law arising from a decision in December 2020 are currently being implemented by the Military Authorities. As part of this body of work a report from a Defence Forces Working Group, comprising membership from the Defence Forces HR, Legal and Training & Education HQ...

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

Micheál Martin: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has fundamentally changed the security and defence landscape in Europe. This is reflected in a significant increase in investment in defence expenditure across Europe as well as the decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO, which reduces further the number of non-NATO members in the European Union. Shortly after the invasion, EU...

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...