Results 481-500 of 1,112,268 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:John Dolan OR speaker:Denis Naughten OR speaker:Barry Cowen OR speaker:Malcolm Noonan OR speaker:Paul McAuliffe OR speaker:Richard Bruton OR speaker:Darragh O'Brien OR speaker:Martin Browne OR speaker:Claire Kerrane OR speaker:Peadar Tóibín OR speaker:Colm Burke OR speaker:Francis Noel Duffy OR speaker:Pat Buckley OR speaker:Marian Harkin OR speaker:Catherine Murphy OR speaker:Patrick O'Donovan OR speaker:Fergus O'Dowd OR speaker:Paul Murphy OR speaker:Robert Troy OR speaker:Niall Collins OR speaker:Simon Harris OR speaker:Sorca Clarke OR speaker:Mary Lou McDonald OR speaker:Violet-Anne Wynne OR speaker:Seán Haughey OR speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire OR speaker:Brendan Howlin OR speaker:Seán Sherlock OR speaker:Eamon Ryan)

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

Niamh Smyth: 34. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department is in constant contact with families of our Irish troops in Lebanon given the rising tensions and situation that is evolving there at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41631/24]

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

Catherine Connolly: 39. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the peacekeeping Defence Forces members on duty in Lebanon in light of the deteriorating situation between Israel and Lebanon and more widely in the region; the plans in place to ensure the safety of Irish troops deployed with UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41694/24]

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

Ruairi Ó Murchú: 40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current situation in South Lebanon; the current activities of the Defence Forces on the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42038/24]

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

Catherine Connolly: I understand Deputy Smith is introducing this group of questions.

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

Brendan Smith: As we all know, the situation in the Middle East is desperate. It has to be of the utmost concern to all of us. We have witnessed horrific scenes in Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere. Unfortunately, the Israel Defense Forces again breached the blue line, including the Irish-Polish battalion area of operations. The situation is obviously very tense. I know the Tánaiste continues to monitor...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 23, 34, 39 and 40 together. I reiterate my absolute gratitude and pay tribute to our Defence Forces personnel who are operating in Lebanon under very challenging, difficult and dangerous circumstances. I am particularly conscious of their families who are obviously very worried and anxious about what they are watching on the news and on social media,...

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

Catherine Connolly: We will run out of time. There are a number of listed speakers on this question.

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

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Tánaiste's confirmation and reassurance with regard to liaison and contact with families, which is extremely important. I understand that the Tánaiste had a virtual meeting with his EU counterparts recently. Did they all agree that the attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers by the IDF we have seen in recent days are completely unacceptable and reprehensible? Was there full...

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

Ruairi Ó Murchú: It is absolutely necessary, and I have spoken with the Tánaiste on this previously, that communication is maintained with the families of our peacekeepers, who are doing absolutely necessary work. We have had huge worries. It is a disgrace, but it is just a continuity of disgraceful actions by the IDF in firing on UNIFIL positions. Will the Tánaiste give an update on his...

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

Catherine Connolly: Two more Members are eager to get in, but we are out of time. I will give the last words to the Tánaiste.

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

Micheál Martin: I believe the Deputy's time with the FCA stood him in good stead and prepared him well for his parliamentary and ministerial career, so that speaks volume about the importance of the RDF. In a serious vein, since I became Minister, I have been very determined to drive this on because it is not acceptable that we do not have adequacy and sufficiency in terms of the Reserve Defence Force. We...

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

David Stanton: I agree with the Tánaiste about engagement with employers. As many employers would value the training I and others got in the Defence Forces in the past, I encourage the Tánaiste to go down that road and work on that. The Tánaiste may not have the information with him today but could he let me know about the thinking about the tax-free gratuity that used to be paid? I...

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

Micheál Martin: I will follow up on the gratuity issue. That has not come on to my radar and more is the pity, because we could have got it done but I will pursue that. Civil servants can be granted special leave with pay if they attend for the full period of the course of training. That could be seven days or three working days for a course of annual training lasting 14 days. They could be given special...

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

Defence Forces

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

Brendan Smith: 10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the security needs of the central Border region will be considered in the context of the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41900/24]

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

Brendan Smith: 25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in implementing the recommendation in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41899/24]

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

Brendan Smith: The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended significant changes to the Defence Forces. Given the changed security situation in Europe with Ukraine having been invaded by Russia and Britain's exit from the EU, we need to review the number of facilities for Army personnel and their location. Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, is located in the north east and Finner Camp is in south-west Donegal...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 25 together. Deputy Smith has been very persistent with regard to the structure of our Defence Forces as it applies to the central Border region. He mentioned Cavan Barracks, Aiken Barracks and so forth. I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit-for-purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the...

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

Brendan Smith: I very much welcome the fact that the needs of the central Border region in the context of defence and security issues will be taken into consideration in the review of the structures and location of Army installations. Dún Uí Néill was the most modern military barracks in Europe and opened in 1990. Very regrettably, it was closed in 2012. It is situated in the central...

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

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Deputy has done a lot of research on this and has spoken to a lot of military personnel. I will review this and ask my Department to factor in any potential use of barracks in Cavan in terms of future operational needs. I will bring what the Deputy said to me to the table and ask our officials to review the use of the barracks in the future in respect of military...