Results 6,061-6,080 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Priorities (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Next year, my Department is prioritising to a number of policy and legislative areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government and the Departmental Statement of Strategy. Delivery of services to Irish citizens will remain central to the work of my Department, as we will continue to operate high-quality Consular and Passport Services. The Emigrant Support Programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The United States is an important player in the region and has a key role to play in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Both President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken have visited Israel and the region as part of their diplomatic efforts. The situation was also discussed at the highest level by EU and US leaders at the EU-US Summit in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs supports staff with foreign language classes prior to and over the course of their postings to Embassies and Consulates overseas. Below is a table outlining the number of Arabic language courses undertaken by staff of the Department in 2022 and 2023. These courses covered a range of levels, and some staff undertook more than one course over the two-year...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made clear to all countries with citizens in Gaza that the focus for facilitated departures from Gaza is for foreign and dual nationals, and immediate dependents accompanying them. In line with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter, the remit of my Department is to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the Department does not retain the information sought by the Deputy and accordingly has requested same from the military authorities. As soon as the requested information is received I will arrange to have same forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The development of a new Army Ranger Wing HQ, which is included in the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan, is currently subject to the requisite pre-contract award procurement and design processes. My Department will conduct a competitive tendering process in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware the former Columb Barracks is to be transferred to the LDA for the purposes of providing housing and associated social/community developments, as such the plans for the future of the buildings is best determined by that Agency.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: It was not possible to obtain the information sought by the Deputy in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy when the information sought has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Civilian employees are employed to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. The recruitment of Civilian Employees is an ongoing process, based on a combination of the filling of consequential vacancies which have arisen due to promotions and retirements, and the filling of priority vacancies on the basis of identified requirements following engagement with the military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of the 10 October 2023, and the details provided therein. The position remains unchanged. As I noted in that answer, I have instructed the Defence Forces to carry out an assessment of the vacant housing stock to ascertain their suitability to a return to modern single living in accommodation usage for serving personnel. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Priorities (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that my officials are currently engaged their colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform with a view to settling on the final REV allocations for 2024 before year end.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the refurbishment of Block C at Stephen's Barracks in Kilkenny is scheduled for completion in early 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants. I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to use the Passport Online service which is the quickest, most efficient and cheapest way to apply for a passport.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (7 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (7 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question; I am not at liberty to discuss or comment on any protected disclosure, however, I am assured by Military Management that the Defence Forces affords all legal protections to personnel making protected disclosures and is on record for encouraging members to speak out against abuse of any kind either through official Defence Force channels or by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question; Military Management have advised that the Defence Forces affords all legal protections to personnel making protected disclosures and is on record for encouraging members to speak out against abuse of any kind either through official Defence Force channels or by protected disclosure if they feel that is their only option. General Routine Order...