Results 141-160 of 46,387 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 52 together. Recent media reports that former members of the Defence Forces may have been involved in training members of the Libyan National Army are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces. No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures,...

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

Micheál Martin: As of 7 May 2024, Ireland is contributing 400 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations, which reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 328 personnel. Ireland also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as it was then. The payment is...

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army are continuously considered in the context of the capability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since their arrival further physical works were completed on both vessels together with familiarisation works, including these works and transportation costs, these vessels were acquired at a cost of €32m. A final comprehensive programme of familiarisation works and pre-sailing exercises with the assistance of reserve members of the Royal New Zealand Navy will commence on the 16 May...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this regard that...

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

Micheál Martin: The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €1.25 billion in Defence Group funding, an increase of €40 million over 2023. The Defence Vote Group includes the Defence and Army Pensions Votes. The allocations for 2024 are €933 million for the Defence Vote and €317 million for the Army Pensions Vote. This significant level of funding will further...

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

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

Micheál Martin: The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence, and Ireland takes part in a range of EU initiatives in this regard. In October 2023, the EU approved its revised EU maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and related Action Plan, aimed at addressing security challenges at sea....

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily...

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

Micheál Martin: Aerial monitoring and surveillance of the Irish EEZ is carried out by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron. Two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment were delivered to the Air Corps in 2023 to replace the existing CASA CN235 aircraft. Following an intensive period of training and verification, the new aircraft have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I assume that by vacant properties the Deputy is referring to residential properties. There are seventy-eight (78) vacant residential type properties under the remit of my Department. I am advised that none of these properties can be occupied without considerable refurbishment and were built before the Building Regulations and associated standards arising from same came into effect. A...

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

Micheál Martin: As at 31st March 2024, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army personnel, 701 Air Corps personnel and 722 Naval Service personnel. Whilst recruitment and retention challenges have been acknowledged, a range of measures have been introduced by this Government to address these and make the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this regard that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the deeply troubling reports of the case referred to by the Deputy. My officials are continuing to closely follow issues of arbitrary and administrative detention and conditions in detention. This is consistent with calls made by Ireland in its bilateral engagement with the Israeli authorities as well as at the United Nations. Ireland has repeatedly called on the Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 460,000 passports to date this year and is on track to have issued half a million passports by the end of this month. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times. All passport applications require supporting documentation to some degree, whether it is a photo uploaded online for an adult's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.