Results 6,081-6,100 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Conway-Walsh's question on Garda pensions, talks are under way between Government and the public sector unions with a view to achieving a new public sector pay and pensions agreement. I do not want to comment on those talks, for obvious reasons, but they are under way and I will certainly make the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, aware of the particular issue the Deputy has raised. On...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (6 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states that “No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.” The reference to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as referring to honours conferred by or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (6 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the case highlighted by the Deputy, which was brought to the attention of my office directly by the person concerned. Officials from my Department have responded directly on the matter raised.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (6 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Over the past year, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy. This progress has been achieved against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable and complex geopolitical context, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the crisis in Sudan, and now the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (6 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The training referred to in this question was in relation to the NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) evaluation that took place in Kilworth Training Camp, in November 2023. OCC is an evaluation and feedback process that provides for external evaluation by trained evaluators of declared military capabilities in accordance with NATO standards. Ireland has engaged in this programme...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: It should be.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Rubbish.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will also share time with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. The recent violence in Dublin could not be more serious. It cannot be tolerated in our democratic Republic. It represents a challenge to all of us here to show we have a politics which is capable of treating serious issues with urgency and with a focus on action. The sad reality is this debate has nothing to do with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The number of civil servants of my Department that are working at the Embassies of Ireland in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jakarta at present and at 1st April 2022 are provided by grade in tabular form below. Grade Abu Dhabi Riyadh Jakarta Apr 2022 Nov 2023 April 2022 Nov 2023 Apr 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy of Ireland in Seoul is currently running a recruitment campaign for the role of Driver. As the process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Programmes (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: This question does not fall under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and is more suited to Department of Defence who have provided the below response: No proposal has been submitted by the European Commission to establish a programme modelled on the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Scheme. Rather, I can confirm a reference to the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) was contained in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 114 and 117 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens and accompanying dependents from Gaza that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to leave Gaza. Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made clear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since 7thOctober, I have had valuable contact with many of my counterparts in the Middle East region regarding the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. My conversations focused on efforts to secure a durable humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages including Emily Hand, and the safe exit of Irish citizens from Gaza. During my recent visit to the region, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service introduced facial recognition technology in 2016. This facilitated the introduction of the Passport Online service, which has been transformative for Irish citizens and has resulted in considerable efficiencies for the Passport Service. Facial recognition technology is an anti-fraud measure and adds significantly to the integrity of the Irish passport. The use of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 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.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Ireland is among a number of donor countries working together to pursue compensation through the West Bank Protection Consortium. The Consortium has sought, but not received, compensation of close to €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. We will continue to work together with our Consortium...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I stated at the time of Minister Eliyahu’s remarks, comments of this nature are deeply concerning and unhelpful. I note that they have been dismissed by the Israeli Government. Achieving a world free from nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. Israel has consistently refused either to confirm or to deny that it possesses nuclear weapons. Ireland takes full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together. The Government was surprised by the Israeli reaction. This was made clear by our Ambassador in Tel Aviv during her meeting with the Israeli Foreign Ministry on 27 November. Ambassador McGuinness presented the Foreign Ministry with the full statements issued by the Taoiseach and I, following the release of Emily Hand. These...