Results 2,741-2,760 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Speak for yourself.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is not the case.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, it is outrageous to say, as Senator Craughwell has said, that members of the Defence Forces cannot become members of a committee in a sporting club or any organisation. Nothing changes in that respect. My own club, Nemo Rangers, benefited enormously from military personnel through the years who helped us win All-Ireland club championships and so on. One, Shea Fahey, came...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is grounded in its Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Interim Policy. In line with guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Policy states that GenAI systems (such as ChatGPT) should not be used to respond to correspondence such as Parliamentary Questions, or to draft Department or Government policy. My...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department's ICT Unit manages approximately 950 mobile phones and up to 2,700 laptop devices to support its operations at headquarters and abroad. There are strict procedures in place for the loss, theft and replacement of all devices. All devices are secured to mitigate the risks of compromise. The following are the numbers of lost or stolen laptops and phones from the year 2014 to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The number of civilian drivers employed in Embassies of Ireland and in Missions of Ireland to the EU, UN and other international organisations as of 25th June 2024 is set out in the table that follows. The roles of many of the drivers employed in Ireland's diplomatic missions also include administration duties. Location Type Of Mission Driver ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for the applications were received on 25 June 2024. The turnaround time for first-time applications is 20 working days. These applications are within the standard turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 1 July 2024. The turnaround time for first-time applications is 20 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been providing support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the EU budget since the launch of the Russian full-scale invasion. Ireland makes extensive use of the multilateral system, and works with trusted partners on the ground to ensure a harmonised approach and enable the fast delivery of sustainable support. Bilaterally, Ireland has committed over €345 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 660,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There are currently no backlogs and 95% of applicants apply through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 660,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. The Passport Service strongly encourages Irish citizens to use the Passport Online service as the quickest, easiest and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024, the Government filed an inter-State case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention, including Article 2 (right to life),...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Developing an agreed approach on legacy which responds to the needs of victims is fundamental to progressing reconciliation in Northern Ireland, in the full spirit of concord that underpinned the Good Friday Agreement. Legacy issues, both specific cases, and the wider approach feature in all of my engagements with my UK counterparts. I also engage with victims' representatives and with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been engaging intensively with EU Member States, partners in the region, the United States and other partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and Palestine. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish passport is a vital document of the Irish State and currently allows for visa free access to 193 destinations. The current design is over 10 years old and the upcoming redesign is central to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Irish passport. As part of the redesign process, the Passport Service undertook a public consultation last year. The purpose of this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In addition to its main telephone line, the Department of Foreign Affairs operates five dedicated public helplines and an out-of-hours emergency line so that citizens in Ireland and across the globe can seek emergency consular assistance. The main telephone line of the Department is +353 1 408 2000. Outside of normal working hours, this telephone line operates as the out-of-hours...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the formulation of a policy position on any such matter, including an assessment of the necessary legislative underpinning, is informed by military advice or a formal request from the Chief of Staff. A formal request on this particular matter, that being the power of suspension, was submitted to the Tánaiste on 25 June 2024. This will now be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that my Department does not use artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions. In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business...