Results 10,941-10,960 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces infrastructure development plan sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. The plan is iterative in nature, thus ensuring it remains relevant and investment is targeted where most needed. A mid-term review of the plan was recently completed by the Department and the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I wish to state at the outset that I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake 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. Last year, in my role as Taoiseach, I met with both...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: When I referenced "later this week", I should have stated that the judge chairing the review group has asked to present the report to me later today. I will receive the report. There has been no delay on my side. Once an independent review group has been appointed, we have to allow the judge to conduct the report without engagement or interference from the political side.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will then refer the report to the Attorney General, which is the normal procedure following publication. I intend to bring the report to the Government. I will obviously come back to the House in respect of it and will consult with various stakeholder groups, in addition to those who are clearly involved. It is a report that is of importance to every serving member of the Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The important point is that on receipt of the report, I will make a comprehensive statement, when I come to the House following the bringing of the report to the Government, which will deal with a comprehensive range of issues, some of which the Deputy referenced. I have very clear views on those issues and in respect of the full set of recommendations that will come from the report itself....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 13 and 22 together. We had that meeting yesterday. I met with the military command and senior officials in my Department in respect of recruitment and retention. The question before me refers specifically to attracting females to enlist in the Defence Forces and to feel fully respected. In terms of recruitment strategies generally, as I have already...

Seanad: Address by H.E. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Cuirim céad míle fáilte chuig an gcomhshuí speisialta seo de Dháil Éireann agus Sheanad Éireann roimh an Uachtarán Metsola. Is pribhléid agus onóir mhór dúinn go bhfuil sí anseo linn ag ceiliúradh 50 bliain de bhallraíocht na hÉireann san Aontas Eorpach ón uair a chaith pobal na tíre seo vóta sa...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The issue is finding solutions. No one is in any doubt about the challenges facing the Defence Forces, the loss of personnel or the fact that we are not recruiting sufficient personnel to offset the numbers who are leaving. That involves both a recruitment and a retention strategy. In the context of the high-level action group it involves implementation of the 38 early actions to be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: All of these measures have taken place but more is needed. It is not just about those specific issues; there is a broader issue at play.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government decision is as it is; it is as has been taken. My task is to move forward quickly to implement the recommendations. Of the 38 early actions to be completed within six months, about two thirds have been achieved to date. That includes the head of transformation and the head of strategic HR positions being advertised externally and progressed. It also includes implementation...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, the triple lock mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations, is set down in legislation. The legislation provides that the operation must be mandated by the United Nations, approved by the Government and approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann. Any modification to the triple lock...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has asked the question and I have given him my views. This is a debate and maybe it is the catalyst for the commencement of a debate. We will shortly commence work on a strategic defence review and this is a serious issue that we need to consider. Peacekeeping is a noble Irish tradition. It has been a hallmark of the execution of our foreign policy and has brought great honour...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: No. That is not in the programme for Government.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The programme for Government commits to the retention of the triple lock but the context has changed because of the war in Ukraine and the behaviour of Russia on the UN Security Council. If we look at Ireland's performance on the UN Security Council for the past two years, it has been quite effective and impactful, particularly in facilitating humanitarian access to areas of significant and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December 2022 was 7,987. The strength in July 2022 was 8,194; 8,146 in August; 8,103 in September; 8,074 in October and 8,049 in November. We have previously acknowledged, and I do so now, that the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service are very serious. I received a briefing yesterday from...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since my appointment I have reviewed the situation. The first priority is to get back to a strength of 9,500. The situation is not good right now in terms of the Naval Service in particular. The numbers are simply too low. We need a radical look at the entire organisation of the Naval Service in the context of recruitment and retention. It is simply not tenable right now in terms of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I just gave the figures earlier. Right now we are hovering at about 8,000. It will take some time, certainly, within the next two to three years, to get to the figure of 9,500, maybe sooner. Yesterday there was a significant briefing on the investment we are going to put into Gormanston as a centre of excellence for induction training. That should have happened before now. It is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have given the details on what is now going to happen with the LÉ Róisín and the LÉ Niamh. Two inshore patrol vessels have been purchased to replace the LÉ Orlaand the LÉ Ciara. Again, there are issues around trying to expand the catchment area in terms of the recruitment pool into the Naval Service. There are some thoughts on that which we discussed...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: 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 9 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 Defence Forces...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his kind comments on my appointment as Minister for Defence and for his heartfelt comments on the very sad passing of Private Seán Rooney. I visited his comrades in Lebanon last week. We can talk about that later. As the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which...