Results 321-340 of 20,107 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Historical Conflicts (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Government views the terrible events which saw the deaths of a large number of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire as a tragedy, and has expressed deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during this period. The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. The Government has not taken a stance on whether...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 153, inclusive, together. Tensions in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union, including following Azerbaijan’s military escalation in September 2023, and subsequent exodus of over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to Armenia. Ireland fully supports efforts to ensure a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: In response to the recent deeply shocking media reports alleging the training of members of the Libyan National Army by an Irish-based company and the possibility that such activity is in breach of UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures, I have taken a number of immediate actions, as follows I have spoken with the Chief of Staff to outline my deep concern at the matters alleged, all of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: In response to the alleged activities of former members of the Defence Forces in the provision of training to members of the Libyan National Army, activities that may be in breaches of UN and EU sanctions, I have taken a number of immediate actions. Among those actions, I have asked my officials to give consideration to the need for further legislation to strengthen the safeguards in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High Level Action Plan in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA 2) by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €933 million for the Defence Vote, an allocation which maintains Defence capital funding at its highest ever level of €176 million. The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is a key feature of the recently published Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the fee for hiring the Defence Forces School of Music (DFSM) stands at €700 plus VAT, this fee was increased in 2020. The Deputy may wish to note where the organisation hiring the DFSM is charging a fee to the event, the event organiser is also required to meet the costs of transporting the DF personnel to and from the event, to ensure that there is no cost to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Japan in 2023 and Quarter 1 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Risk Assessment (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I published the National Risk Assessment for Ireland, 2023 on 28 March 2024. It identifies 22 key risks with Antimicrobial Resistant Infection, Pandemic, Cyber Attack and Disruption to Critical Supply Chain rated as our highest probability and highest impact risks. Risks appearing for the first time include: Disruption to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State assists and performs functions, including Oireachtas business, as assigned by me as Minister for Defence on my behalf. Responsibilities of the Minister of State include the following; Deputising for the Minister on Defence matters Taking Defence legislation through the Oireachtas when necessary Taking Oral Parliamentary Questions Taking Private Members Business...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The strength of the PDF, as at 29 February 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, stood at 7,451 personnel. Induction numbers fluctuate from year to year. Budget 2024 allocated €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024. As part of strategies to achieve this, a Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following two tables: Table A details the number of retirements/discharges, by Branch and by year, from 2019 to 2024, as at 29 February 2024 Table A Year Army Air Corps Naval Service Total 2019 655 88 139 882 2020 491 48 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“The 2008 Act”).Under Section 14(1) of the Act, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for a Partnership Government of 2016 provided for the award of the 1916 Commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these are paper applications which were received on 12 February 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. These applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is wholeheartedly supportive of Palestinian efforts to secure full membership of the United Nations. On 2 April 2024, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine wrote a letter requesting that the Security Council give renewed consideration to Palestine’s application for UN membership as originally submitted in 2011. Admission to UN membership is a substantive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The ongoing security crisis in Haiti, and its impact on human rights together with the deteriorating humanitarian situation, is extremely concerning. I echo the support expressed by the UN Secretary General for the establishment of a Transitional Council for Haiti, in line with the 11 March agreement brokered by the Caribbean Community. A Haitian-led political process will help address...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Malaysia enjoy positive diplomatic relations, supported by resident Embassies in each other’s countries. The Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland presented credentials to President Higgins in November 2023. Although I have not met the Ambassador so far in 2024, my officials have excellent ongoing engagement with the Ambassador and his team. As set out in the...