Results 401-420 of 1,139,633 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Holly Cairns OR speaker:Mary Lou McDonald OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick OR speaker:Ciarán Cannon OR speaker:John Brady OR speaker:Niall Collins OR speaker:Eoin Ó Broin OR speaker:Frank Feighan OR speaker:Dessie Ellis OR speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh OR speaker:Róisín Shortall OR speaker:Brendan Howlin OR speaker:Ruairi Ó Murchú OR speaker:Pauline Tully OR speaker:Claire Kerrane OR speaker:Michael Moynihan OR speaker:Francis Noel Duffy OR speaker:Leo Varadkar OR speaker:Kieran O'Donnell OR speaker:Martin Browne OR speaker:Colm Burke OR speaker:Rose Conway-Walsh OR speaker:Christopher O'Sullivan OR speaker:Cathal Berry OR speaker:Michael Collins OR speaker:Seán Fleming OR speaker:Mairead Farrell OR speaker:Neasa Hourigan)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Pauline Tully: I know leave has been suspended from now on but I want to know if those on leave will get to return.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: They have not done so yet.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Pauline Tully: Therefore, the unit could be under pressure and under-resourced, which would be a concern. I know supplies are going to Camp Shamrock but are they getting to the people in the outposts? That is the concern. We saw the footage of Israeli tanks surrounding the outposts, which was very scary. It is a question of ensuring they are safe and looked after. I presume that, as the Tánaiste...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I said, leave into and out of the mission area is currently restricted due to the security issues, which is understandable. Likewise, planning continues for the November rotation. UNP 6-52 is one of the outposts where we lead, and at UNP 6-50, which is manned by Polish soldiers, we also lead in terms of the Irish PolBatt scenario. That will be a matter for the force commander. They...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: 9. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline the organisational structure of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, including its geographical spread and strength in respective locations; his future plans for the further development of the RDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41892/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: I ask the Tánaiste to comment on the situation regarding the Reserve Defence Force. In most other jurisdictions, reserve defence forces take a very prominent role and, in some instances, are far larger than the permanent defence forces, and they are used in a very proactive way by the jurisdictions they are located in. I am concerned about the future of the RDF here and I would like to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are currently three branches of the Reserve Defence Force, namely, the Army Reserve, the Naval Service Reserve and the First Line Reserve. The First Line Reserve comprises former members of the Permanent Defence Force and has no defined establishment. The Second Line Reserve, consisting of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, has an establishment of 4,069 personnel. As of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

David Stanton: I thank the Tánaiste for that comprehensive response. I hope the number will increase. I understand there was a time when the number in the RDF, formerly the FCA, was approximately 20,000. That was the situation when I was a member up to 1997, before I came in here and was told my services were no longer required. Will the Tánaiste comment on the situation regarding the tax-free...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: A whole range of accommodation projects are under way. We have the refurbishment of block 4 in Haulbowline, with 74 beds at a cost of €500,000. I mentioned the refurbishment of the old communications building, creating 20 beds at a cost of €4.2 million and the refurbishment of the cadet mess building in Haulbowline, creating 24 beds at a cost of €3.7 million, and on it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Cormac Devlin: 7. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action he is taking in relation to recognition for officers in the Defence Forces who provide specialist instruction and training. [42024/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Devlin. What action is the Tánaiste taking in relation to recognition for officers in the Defence Forces who provide specialist instruction and training?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Recruitment and retention of Defence Forces personnel is a significant challenge, which I have acknowledged on a number of occasions. The Government will continue to work to ensure the Defence Forces remain an attractive option as a career choice for both existing and potential members. Considerable progress has been made to address potential...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Many of the things the Tánaiste has mentioned are worth reiterating regarding the progress that is being made. He mentioned the extension of healthcare. That was a much welcomed provision. The Tánaiste has stated in the past that we need to adapt to new realities. He has described the situation globally as extremely challenging. As he has often stated in the House, we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: We addressed that in the previous question. Approximately 10,000 people indicated an interest. Many of them did not follow through but still. This is an ongoing issue for me when I discuss these issues with the Defence Forces and military leadership. I gave figures in answer to the previous question. I believe 494 personnel have been inducted so far this year and approximately 250 more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I will ask a final supplementary question on the difficulties we have had in respect of the Women of Honour and their campaign in the last while. A mentoring programme was to be established for women by June 2024. Will the Tánaiste clarify what progress has been made on that?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Just to return to the figures, as of 30 September, 494 personnel had been inducted in 2024 and the latest advice is that it is planned to have a further 250 inducted this year. That is nearly 750 personnel, which would be the highest number of inductions for some time. That indicates we are beginning to turn the corner in respect of the issue of recruitment and retention and the gap between...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: 8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions he will take against Israel in response to the Israeli military firing on UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42110/24]