Results 221-240 of 19,751 for speaker:Micheál Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of reports that payments have been requested in exchange for evacuation assistance for Palestinians living in Gaza. My officials are continuing to monitor the situation through our missions in the region. Ireland’s three key diplomatic priorities have been made clear: we need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, a drastic increase in access to humanitarian assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Private Partnerships (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is not currently engaged in any PPP projects, nor is planning underway in relation to any such projects.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that there has been no requirement for my Department to contact An Garda Síochána in relation to any type of threats addressed to any Minister or member of staff working within my Department between 2020 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Strategic airlift capability has been prioritised as a capability for investment following Government approval of the Commission on Defence Report as part of the move to (Level Of Ambition) LOA 2 capability. Two new C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft were delivered in 2023 and are capable of being configured in a strategic airlift transport role if required. In addition, a contract was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been advised by the Defence Forces that the incident to which I believe the Deputy is referring involved members of the Malaysian Battalion with UNIFIL. I can confirm that no members of the Irish Defence Forces were involved in the incident. For Defence Forces' operational reasons, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment regarding the incident. I would like to take...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces personnel who currently have a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness. This strategic move will have a two-fold effect. For the organisation, it will help to address, in part, the issue of retention by allowing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Diplomatic Representation (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The White Paper on Defence recognised the need for the Department of Defence to continue to engage in developing and deepening bilateral relations with potential like-minded partners to secure Ireland’s position in current and future international crisis management operations. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces further supported this view. A joint civilian/military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together. The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the highest military body within the EU. It is composed of the Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) of the EU's Member States who, on a day to day basis, are represented in Brussels by the Military Representatives from the Permanent Representations of the Member States to the EU. The EUMC...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

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. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The secretary to the Board is provided from my Department’s staff. I can confirm there has been no exit, severance or redundancy packages of €100,000 and above but less than €200,000 granted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the requested details, in the table below, in relation to the vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music. Figures are as at 11 March 2024: Rank Lt Col Comdt Captain Lt CS CQ Sgt Cpl Pte Strength 1 1 3 0 4 1 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: All training provided by the Defence Forces to the Ukrainian Armed Forces via the EU's Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) has taken place overseas, on the territory of other EU Member States. Separately, and not linked to EUMAM, as part of Ireland's participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP), a NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Evaluator...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised my Department that the Air Corps visiting aircraft log from 2004 indicates that the G-BSZC landed on 10 September 2004 at 0816hrs and took off again at 0927hrs. The origin airport or destination details have not been recorded by the Air Corps. The purpose of the movement is recorded as “visit”. The aircraft in question landed again at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The aircraft in question landed in Baldonnel in connection with an event hosted by "The Beech Club" in September 2004. A Hold Harmless Agreement was entered into by Mr Anthony Walsh and Mr Anthony Hodgson in relation to same; this Agreement has the effect of indemnifying the Minister in relation to any aircraft landing. As my Department was not involved in the charity event, it has no records...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department makes an annual grant payment each year from the Defence Vote to the Irish Red Cross Society towards the administrative running costs of its headquarters, with the amount provided over the last three years as follows. Year Funding Provided 2021 Irish Red Cross Society €975,000 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report. One of the IRG’s recommendations called for the establishment of a complaints process for civilian employees and civil...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is currently foreseen that the total number of the proposed Defence Forces contribution to the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025 will be approximately 186 personnel. This will be comprised of a Group HQ consisting of 4 personnel, Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon consisting of 139 personnel) together with a National Support Element...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: A Working Group on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the Defence Forces presented its report and recommendations to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence in October 2017. A further working group was established with a view to examining and implementing these recommendations. In January 2020, the Minister with Responsibility for Defence was informed by the military authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Private Partnerships (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are no public private partnership projects operated or funded by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am appalled by the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza – after almost five months of relentless violence and displacement, civilians in Gaza are living in conditions that no one should have to endure. The legal position is clear – under international humanitarian law Israel are responsible for the protection of civilians in Gaza, and ensuring that the essential needs of the...