Results 441-460 of 1,019,814 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' speaker:Joe Costello

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I will not be so polite in relation to this. If the Tánaiste thinks that getting rid of the triple lock will lead to a more peaceful world, he is deluded. It is disgraceful and disingenuous of him to tell us that getting rid of the triple lock will not interfere with our neutrality. Our questions are trying to elicit details on the mechanism by which the Tánaiste is going to do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Personal vitriol is not going to change my mind-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Catherine Connolly: It is not personal vitriol.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Stop now. Through the Chair.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Catherine Connolly: Sorry. I apologise.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I behaved absolutely in accordance with parliamentary procedure and processes here. There is nothing abnormal about a Government proposing a legislative proposal, publishing a general scheme and bringing it before the House for debate for all Members of the House. The Bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. To address Deputy Howlin's question and the point he made, we envisage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: It is a double lock.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy can call it a double lock. I have said publicly that the legislation will have to be within the framework of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law and that the spirit, the esprit de corps, of the United Nations will inform any decision by the Government and the Dáil, which would legislatively reflect that. The UN has endorsed the utilisation of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will have a look at the situation again to satisfy myself as to how the process was conducted and I will revert then.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Brendan Griffin: Further people involved include those directly in contact with the healthcare workers on site. Patient transfer teams were not considered. These people did similar jobs to people in ambulance teams bringing people for tests who needed to be transported. For example, the Tralee testing centre was manned by military personnel for 12 to 16 months, including Christmas and all public holidays....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: It was very challenging all round to demarcate those entitled to payments across all public services. A total of 717 Defence Forces personnel were deemed eligible and have been paid the full €1,000 pandemic recognition payment. It is not an inconsiderable number. Both Permanent Defence Forces representative associations on two separate occasions issued information circulars to their...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Robert Troy: 6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army headquarters; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Robert Troy: I ask about the proposed location for the new Army headquarters. When will a decision be taken on that? Will the Tánaiste commit to giving Custume Barracks, Athlone, favourable consideration?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy, who has been strongly advocating for Athlone for this role for some time. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020, which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on 9 February 2022. The commission undertook a significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Robert Troy: The Tánaiste will remember that the last time he visited Custume Barracks he met with me and councillors Keena and O'Rourke, who put a strong case for considering Athlone as the future Army headquarters. The Tánaiste is right to say it was among the Fianna Fáil party requests for the programme for Government that a commission be established on the future of the Defence Forces....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I recall meeting the Deputy with councillors Keena and O'Rourke at Custume Barracks. We are investing in Custume Barracks in support of the personnel and operations there. Improvement works are ongoing, including the band hall. The Defence Forces school of music is based there, and that project, which is almost complete, provided an energy retrofit and refurbishment. The emergency...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Robert Troy: The Tánaiste mentioned a target for Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028. The current figure is 7,500 and we are, I am told, losing 50 personnel net per month. Critical to reaching our 2028 target is having an Army that is regionally disposed to aid retention and facilitate recruitment. I would argue a decision needs to be taken relatively quickly to ensure we meet the stated...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is acknowledged we have to significantly improve recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. We have taken many decisions to facilitate that, not least the big recent decision to extend the retirement age to 60. That will be followed up with legislation to extend it to 62 and to improve the date at which people can apply, and raise that threshold also. There are various allowances...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tribunals of Inquiry (16 May 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I welcome the fact that we are beginning to get a little bit of clarity. A premises has been procured, which is good. The statutory instrument has not yet been signed, which is not so good. What is the delay? When will that be signed? That is still vague. I am conscious all of the time of the background to this, the delay and the whole history, which I will not go into at this time....