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Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----to make a recommendation to create an independent oversight body with the Secretary General on it, by the way. There is a reason it is called independent oversight. The independent review body recommended that it be independent of the Defence Forces, whether we like it or not. That was the recommendation. When it came out and was published, every one of the Opposition Deputies was in...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is why I believe in this. I agree with the Deputy on the need for more comprehensive legislation to demarcate properly the roles of a chief of defence forces, CHOD, in its entirety and, as Deputy Berry said, equality of status among the heads of services. I agree with all that. That has to be done. However, there is a dangerous trend emerging, even from some of the representative...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Neither am I going to accept the amendment. I indicated to the Deputy I would be introducing the most comprehensive legislation in terms of command and control within the Defence Forces. In the period between Committee and Report Stages, I have already approved a paper that my officials had done some work on in respect of CHOD, in respect of the recommendation the commission came forward...

Ireland's Recognition of the State of Palestine: Statements (28 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...agus is ar son cás na síochána a rinneamar an cinneadh. Is ceart agus is cóir é a dhéanamh. This morning, Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine. It is an occasion of deep significance, not only to Deputies in this House but to the people of Ireland and the people of Palestine. Much thought, analysis and diplomatic effort has informed the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I recall Deputy Cronin's horror at the outcome of the IRG's report when it was published. I met the chair of the independent review group into the allegations that were made. We met the judge and a number of members who were absolutely adamant that it be external to the Defence Forces. This is an external oversight body over the Defence Forces, not necessarily over the Department. That is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats under constant review. It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Medals (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The awarding of medals is a matter for the military authorities. As the Deputy may be aware, Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Force Medals. It also delineates the procedures for the awarding of those medals to members of the Defence Forces. As previously stated, the review by the military authorities on the process of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces in July, 2022. As part of that decision, the Government committed to increasing the funding allocated to Defence to €1.5 billion (at 2022 prices) by 2028, through the annual Estimates process. Delivery of this objective will allow the required transformation and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council, UN Matters and Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (14 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Acting Chair and committee members for the invitation to brief them on developments at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and at the United Nations since I last briefed them on those issues in October, as well as our relationship with NATO. As might be expected, discussions and decisions in all of these formats have been heavily focused on the crises in Ukraine and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council, UN Matters and Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (14 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...has always been an avoidance of participation in a military alliance or of joining one. In the context of one of the referendums, we inserted that we would not be part of one and entered into our Constitution that we would not be part of an EU defence pact without a further referendum. That, in essence, is the position. Allied with or complementing that is an independent foreign policy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council, UN Matters and Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (14 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes. For some time now, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, the UAE, Egypt and Qatar have been working on an Arab peace initiative framework that would endeavour to be as comprehensive as possible, embracing Palestinian self-determination, a ceasefire in Gaza, guarantees to Israel's security, normalisation in terms of the Israeli-Saudi relationship and so on. Our officials were...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is saying that those aged between 55 and 64 are twice as likely to still be managing the symptoms after two years. That is relatively younger. I am probably in that category myself, so I had better be careful what I say. My sense is that it is going to take a bit more to understand this. Apart from a national action plan, I would like to see more research commissioned by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: European Union (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 119 together. On 7 March at the European People's Party congress in Bucharest, Ursula von der Leyen was officially named her party’s candidate for a second term as President of the European Commission. In her first term, President von der Leyen has been a strong advocate for the protection of Irish interests, particularly throughout the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Griffin for his question and kind remarks. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine remains a grave threat to all of Europe. Russia is demonstrating a clear desire to continue escalation and has projected momentum on the battlefield in recent weeks, taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortage of military material, particularly air defence, by launching...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...and military operation in Rafah. The international community has been clear that the humanitarian consequences of a large-scale offensive in Rafah would be catastrophic. I urge the parties to make every effort to come to an immediate ceasefire deal. All hostages must be released and further civilian casualties must be avoided. The question of recognition is one that has been the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...of one or more provisions of whatever convention is at issue before the court. This declaration of intervention must then be deemed admissible by the court in order for the intervention to proceed. Waiting until South Africa has filed its memorial will ensure we have a good understanding of what provisions of the Genocide Convention South Africa intends to rely on which we can then, in...

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: This debate is an opportunity for us to step away from the day-to-day arguments that dominate our discussions in Europe and a challenge to each of us to reflect on the overall importance of the European Union to promoting or sovereignty, culture and economy. By every significant measure, membership of the European Union is essential for Ireland. Membership not only matters for Ireland but...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present this Bill that will play a key role in driving the necessary transformation of the Defence Forces to the House. A number of high-profile reviews have been undertaken on matters relating to the defence sector in recent years. Key reports include those of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Independent...

Anniversary of the Introduction of the Smoking Ban: Statements (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Táim sásta a bheith anseo inniu chun tús a chur leis na hóráidí seo a bhaineann leis an gcosc a chuireadh le tobac 20 bliain ó shin. I am very pleased to be here to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the prohibition on smoking in the workplace, one of the most significant and memorable days in my own public life. For the past two decades, since 29 March...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I agree with her wholeheartedly in that it is absolutely imperative and necessary that this war ends, that Israel stop its bombardment of Gaza and that there be an immediate ceasefire. We have appealed to the Israeli Government and to Hamas to facilitate a ceasefire. There have been intensive negotiations now for quite some time. What is happening...