Results 3,061-3,080 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The role of the Consulate General in Hong Kong is to develop relations between Ireland and Hong Kong across a range of political, economic and people-to-people activities, to provide services to the Irish community, and to report on developments in Hong Kong. There are three diplomatic staff posted from the Department of Foreign Affairs and two locally engaged staff. The Consulate General...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Developing and maintaining foreign language proficiency is an essential part of an effective diplomatic and foreign service. The Department aims therefore to provide the supports and resources staff need to achieve an enhanced level of foreign language proficiency from online training, group classes, one to one classes to immersion courses. Staff preparing for posting to an Embassy or...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Military Neutrality (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland works closely with the other militarily neutral and non-aligned countries in Western Europe that are not members of NATO. In this context, in December 2023, Ireland joined Switzerland, Austria and Malta in submitting a non-paper and accompanying letter which addressed our engagement with the organisation. As I have already outlined, this non-paper and letter focused in particular...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 16th April 2024. However, the application remained incomplete. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 24th June 2024. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: United Nations (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: At its forthcoming 79th session in the autumn of 2024, the UN Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs) will further examine the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The Sixth Committee will consider once again the ILC’s 2019 recommendation to elaborate an international convention on the basis of the Draft Articles, and is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Tribunals of Inquiry (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 142 together. I signed the necessary Statutory Instrument to formally establish the Tribunal of Inquiry on 20 June 2024. The Tribunal will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. The Tribunal will...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that details sought by the Deputy in relation to the equitation school vehicles are set out in tabular form below; Vehicle type Year purchased Scania Transporter 2012 Scania Transporter 2019 2 Box 2017 Ifor Williams Trailer 2019 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority 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. New rotary wing capabilities are currently being advanced in the context of the Equipment Development Planning process, and to this end, the various work...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In 2022, the C&AG commenced an examination of stocks held by the Defence Forces to assess the adequacy of the controls in place to manage, value and correctly account for that stock, with a particular focus on the implementation of the 2014 Dunning report recommendations. Following on from that examination, the Comptroller & Auditor General’s (C&AG) report on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My officials are advised by the military that on completion of a duty, the Duty Officer is required to complete and submit a duty report. Such a report includes details of any instances of the discharge of a weapon and as per DF Administrative Instructions all routine reports by duty personnel are retained at unit level for a set period. In addition, my officials has been advised that all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish again to express my unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence. Such behaviour has no place in a modern society or in the Defence Forces. It is also important that I note at the outset the pride we share in the vast majority of the men and women of the Defence Forces who serve the nation so admirably at home and on peacekeeping missions abroad. The actions of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Sports Organisations (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the Department did not require the clubs in question to acquire sheep rights prior to the fencing of their lands.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Over the last number of years members of the Defence Forces have benefitted from a range of pay increases associated with national pay agreements. In addition to these pay increases, members of the Defence Forces have further benefitted from specific recommendations arising from an independent Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020. One...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely: Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Permanent Defence Force does not have part-time members, I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Reserve Defence Force, namely, the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. Members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Principal Response Agencies. I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and I can confirm...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 5 June 2024, Ireland is contributing 430 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 344 personnel. Ireland also contributes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (2 Jul 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 (2 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain since 2004. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: In my view, local authority housing is fundamentally an issue for the local authority to deal with. It should have sufficient capacity to get in early to repair, refurbish or eliminate issues that give rise to mould developing in the first place.