Results 501-520 of 1,170,673 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Paul Gavan OR speaker:Hildegarde Naughton OR speaker:Kieran O'Donnell OR speaker:Seán Canney OR speaker:Seán Fleming OR speaker:Seán Sherlock OR speaker:Francis Noel Duffy OR speaker:Richard Bruton OR speaker:Richard Bruton6 OR speaker:Leo Varadkar OR speaker:Brendan Griffin OR speaker:Marian Harkin OR speaker:Stephen Donnelly OR speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett OR speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív88 OR speaker:Gary Gannon OR speaker:Ruairi Ó Murchú OR speaker:Ivana Bacik OR speaker:Brian Stanley OR speaker:Imelda Munster OR speaker:Niamh Smyth OR speaker:Steven Matthews OR speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív19 OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh OR speaker:James Lawless)
- 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]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)
Pauline Tully: 29. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions being taken to ensure, insofar as possible, the safety and security of members of the Defence Forces taking part in UNIFIL peacekeeping duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42111/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)
Niamh Smyth: 31. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the safety and well-being of Irish troops in Lebanon, given the ongoing evolving situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41634/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)
Catherine Connolly: Bogaimid ar aghaidh anois go dtí an chéad cheist eile, Uimh. 8 in ainm an Teachta Gino Kenny. It is grouped with Questions Nos. 29 and 31. Níl an Teachta anseo mar sin glaoim ar an Teachta Pauline Tully.
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)
Pauline Tully: What actions are being taken to ensure, insofar as possible, the safety and security of members of the Defence Forces taking part in UNIFIL peacekeeping duties?