Results 181-200 of 1,038,163 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Michael McDowell OR speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor OR speaker:Michael Lowry OR speaker:Paschal Donohoe OR speaker:Carol Nolan)
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: I too salute the courage of Natasha O'Brien in making very clear her position as a victim. I am conscious that the case has now been appealed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, so I cannot comment any further. Since I became Minister for Defence, I have focused on changing the culture in the Defence Forces. I mentioned earlier the external oversight body that has been...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Defence Forces
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Matt Carthy: 60. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of occasions since January 2020 when a superior officer in the Defence Forces provided a statement in support of a defendant to a civilian trial in respect of an allegation of a violent crime; and whether he proposes to introduce measures to address this issue. [28122/24]
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Réada Cronin: I ask the Minister the number of occasions since January 2020 when a superior officer in the Defence forces provided a statement in support of a defendant to a civilian trial in respect of an allegation of a violent crime and whether he proposes to introduce measures to address this issue.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. I again express my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in the Defence Forces. The nature and type of such attacks on women are deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable. The depth of feeling expressed at the protests recently is testament to that and I know everyone in...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Thank you, Tánaiste, you are out of time. We have to stick to the time.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: Okay.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Réada Cronin: The State came to a standstill with disgust and disbelief last week when a member of the Defence Forces walked free from court following the brutal assault on Natasha O'Brien. Another man had his career protected while another woman was failed by the State. I am glad to see the DPP has appealed the sentence. I do not want to give the Ceann Comhairle a heart attack or anything like that but...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Thank you, Deputy. We will come back to you.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: I want to correct that. I was at pains in the previous reply to outline the regulatory obligations. The officer who attends a court is not there to give a character reference-----
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Réada Cronin: That is what it came across as.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: -----and is not there to give a glowing account. The officer had a record in front of him and was cross-examined by the prosecution and the defence. He happened to be in the court in line with the Defence Force regulations. We have to be fair to everyone in this context. However, I am reviewing that and I have asked Mr. Peter Ward SC to undertake a high-level analysis of the application...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Réada Cronin: I am not a military lawyer or anything like that but after listening to the conversations, I know the officer was not there to give a glowing reference. However, that is what it felt like to the victim. Members of the Defence Forces have been through such a tough time lately with the disclosures from the Women of Honour. There is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction coming from inside and outside...
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Micheál Martin: I am very clear on this. The Defence Forces are there to protect society and keep people safe. I believe that, as with An Garda Síochána, standards have to be very high, given the unique role the Defence Forces play in society, over and above other sectors of the public service. That imposes an extra burden, but it is necessary. I think we are all shocked by the level of...
- Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Jul 2024)
Question put and agreed to.
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions (2 Jul 2024)
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Defence Forces
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Matt Carthy: 59. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will propose measures to ensure that members of the Defence Forces who have been convicted of violent assaults cannot continue to serve. [28121/24]
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Gary Gannon: 61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the law forbidding the Defence Forces from suspending or terminating the contract of staff for serious offences before the cases for such offences have been heard by a civilian court is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28368/24]
- Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Question No. 59 is in the name of Deputy Matt Carthy. Is Deputy Cronin dealing with this Question?