Results 10,421-10,440 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Since the 1990s, the long-standing policy of the organisation has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees.  The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time. My...

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

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main 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, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks such as search and rescue, diving...

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

Micheál Martin: For 2023, the total allocation provided to Vote 36 – Defence is €915 million, which is an increase of €79 million on 2022, and includes a capital allocation of €176 million. This allocation is the highest capital investment allocation ever received by Defence and represents an annual increase of €35 million or 25% on 2022. The principal demand drivers of...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. The equality and diversity policy objectives as detailed in the White Paper on Defence, which includes explicit commitment to the principles of equal opportunity in all employment policies,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The goal of my Department’s Property Strategy 2022-25 is to deliver a network of high quality, safe, secure and sustainable workplaces to double Ireland’s global impact and influence to 2025 and beyond. That network comprises 101 diplomatic and consular missions around the world, of which 70 are Embassies.  Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 is a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that the circumstances of this case have been very difficult for the family.  The Department of Foreign Affairs has had significant engagement on this case in the years since the citizen's disappearance, including with the Spanish authorities.  As with all missing person cases, the responsibility for investigation lies with the relevant policing authority. The Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Cross-Departmental International Sanctions Committee (“CDISC”) monitors, reviews, and coordinates the implementation, administration and exchange of information on EU and UN sanctions in Ireland. CDISC is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and comprises officials from the various Departments and agencies that are responsible for Ireland's sanctions policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has made clear its concerns on an ongoing basis about the overall human rights situation in Türkiye. It is an issue which I will continue to raise wherever the opportunity arises. As a member of the Oireachtas delegation to its Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), the Deputy will be aware of the Council of Europe’s extensive engagement in this area. The Council of Europe...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The UK Government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged. In 2011 the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed with the British Foreign Secretary that the British and Irish Governments would seek to resolve the jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The 23 January Foreign Affairs Council on addressed a number of important issues, in particular the ongoing war in Ukraine, human rights violations in Iran, and the EU’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority. We took a number of decisions in relation to these issues and others.  The Council was addressed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, who updated us on...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 267 together. On 14th December 2022, eight personnel from the 121st Infantry Battalion were involved in an incident resulting in the death of Private Seán Rooney and injuries suffered by a number of others, including Trooper Shane Kearney who suffered critical injuries. This tragic event has brought home to all of us the fragility of peace...

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

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following details in relation to the strength and vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music, as at 23 January 2023: Rank Lt Col Comdt Captain Lt CS CQ Sgt Cpl Pte Strength 1 1 3 0 3 1 32 ...

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

Micheál Martin: Having only recently been appointed as Minister for Defence, I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet my French counterpart, the Minister of the Armed Forces However, I will be attending an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in early March in Stockholm, hosted by the Swedish Presidency. On 20 March, I will attend a combined meeting of EU Defence and Foreign Ministers in Brussels. I am...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 272 together. The provision of accommodation for homeless persons is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I am advised that my Department has previously submitted returns to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in accordance with their suitability criteria, on...

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, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022.  The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference.  It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level...

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

Micheál Martin:  The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by Government, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture.  I wish to commend the courage of serving members, the Women of...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263, 264, 265 and 266 together. As at 31 December 2022, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 7,987 personnel comprised of 6,478 Army personnel, 800 Naval Service personnel and 709 Air Corps personnel.  This equates to some 84% of the current PDF establishment strength of 9,500.  My immediate focus is now on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (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: The Deputy will be aware that, with its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, that the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, covering a range of measures which will improve...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. It is also Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence...