Results 361-380 of 45,801 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----if we do not buy any guns, ships, airplanes or anything like that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been Minister for Defence for over a year. I am determined to establish a tribunal of inquiry, on foot of the independent review group. The Government recently approved the terms of reference for a tribunal of inquiry, pursuant to the provisions of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. The tribunal will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I made it clear in the Dáil on numerous occasions that the terms of reference cover anybody who did not make a formal complaint to the complaints processes coming before the tribunal and that people can have their issues addressed. In terms of why they would not have, many people felt they were deterred by the complaints processes which existed. Within a week or two, I hope to be in a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: They were. We can go back to that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Again, there is no ambiguity, nor should there be any, in respect of that issue. I made that abundantly clear at the time the relevant motions came before the House. The issues being covered by the tribunal are very serious, but we have already acted in respect of many of the recommendations of the independent review group, whose conclusions were quite shocking. Any incident of sexual...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 9 together. I am advised that my Department has had no engagement with the Israel Defence Forces or other Israeli state bodies since January 2023. Similarly, the Defence Forces have had no engagements during this timeframe, save any arising as part of an overall deployment of the 12 Defence Forces officers serving with the United Nations Truce...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The latter point is provided for. I have made that point. No representative body would be presented in any shape or form from representing their members or articulating on issues pertaining to their members, and indeed they have not been. That is not going to be the position. It is in reference to the broader issues of political commentary that I said I would reflect on the legislation...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy cannot have it both ways, though. When the independent review was published, he was the first in here asking if I was going to accept its recommendations. I have accepted its recommendations in respect of the external oversight body. There was a very clear communication made to me that previous attempts at this did not work and had not worked. There is no point in coming into...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The Irish Defence and Security Association, IDSA, was established in 2021 with a mission "to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading-edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth"....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Meetings (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: This group is not under the aegis of my Department. The Department believes and I believe that there are similar groups all over member states. There is an arms industry out there. We purchase weaponry. To engage in peacekeeping, it is necessary to procure weaponry. I met with the EDA chief executive. Our participation in it is fairly low-key. The role of the EDA in the broader context...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. To date, Ireland has participated in 14 projects with the European Defence Agency, EDA, six of which are completed and eight are ongoing. These projects include areas such as joint procurement, cyber, military search capability, maritime surveillance and counter-improvised explosive devices. Ireland's participation in EDA projects is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, any iteration, change or shift in CSDP within the EU will have to have respect for what we term the "specific characteristics" of policies of certain states including Ireland, Austria and Malta. That statement was made in the context of the Russian threat to the security of Europe. There is a real sense of vulnerability in terms of the war economy that is now, in essence, the driving...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The essential issue here is European defence capability more broadly in terms of the European defence industry. Concern has been expressed across the EU about its inability to manufacture and develop-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are part of the European Defence Agency. We are a militarily neutral state. We are not aligned or part of a mutual defence pact but we do have to enhance our own capability. Certainly, we can be part of joint projects in terms of procurement. There is no issue there; that is allowed for in terms of investment and how we go about that investment. Joint procurement under the EDA is one...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. The general scheme of the defence (amendment) Bill includes a number of proposed provisions, including provisions relating to the membership of the external oversight body. The provisions fully reflect the recommendations of the independent review group, IRG, report relating to the composition of the membership of the body. The recommendation does not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Council (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. It is important to state that defence and security remain national competences and will continue to require unanimity in EU decision-making. Any decision to alter these arrangements would require a change to the European treaties. Furthermore, the specific character of Ireland's security and defence policy, as set out in the protocols attached to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Council (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: What I articulated in my reply was the factual position currently. Through our work on the Middle East, we have demonstrated that we have an independent foreign policy position and that we are working to bring other member states with us. The Deputy has discussed the Middle East a great deal in the House, but I will bring something to his attention. At the Foreign Affairs Council, FAC,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Council (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have noticed a trend in that the Deputy tends to try to create wedge issues or sow confusion and doubt. Defence and security remain national competences and will continue to require unanimity in EU decision-making. That is the bottom line. Trade, including the conduct of trade agreements, is an EU competence. That has been the case for a considerable time and has been advantageous to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Council (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: No, I am not.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Council (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: It requires unanimity-----