Results 6,481-6,500 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The deployment of the 123rd Infantry Battalion to the UNIFIL in Lebanon is well underway and is expected to be completed later this week. On November 14th, 156 personnel deployed to the mission and the remainder are due to deploy on 24th November. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of volunteer personnel to fulfil all of the mission specific appointments, the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can advise the Deputy that I have been briefed by the military authorities on this incident. The matter is the subject of an ongoing Military Police investigation and I will not, therefore, be making any further comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Significant work has taken place to-date in my Department in order to progress the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) project and a competitive process to acquire a new mid sized aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport has just been published on the Official Journal of the European Union platform. This project is being carried out in accordance with the Defence and Security Directive...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 73, 76 and 78 together. The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In January of this year, the Irish Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025. This will be the eighth occasion on which the Defence Forces have been part of an EU Battlegroup and the first since 2020. The Battlegroup will be stood-up during 2024 and will be on standby throughout 2025. Any deployment of Defence Forces' personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, the report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO)presented their Member Engagement Survey 2023 at their Annual Delegates Conference last week and shared it with my Department in the last few days. My officials have requested a briefing on the findings therein. I have previously acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As of 01 November, the Defence Forces have 468 personnel serving between the three UN missions in the Middle East region – UNIFIL (319), UNDOF (136) and UNTSO (13). All personnel serving in UNIFIL, UNTSO and UNDOF are accounted for and are safe and well. In all cases, they are complying fully with UN security precautions, maintaining a high level of vigilance and continuing to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Nov 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 generations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The Government's approach in relation to unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998. Putting this constitutional choice to the people was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the situation in Gaza is critical and the high number of civilian casualties is deeply shocking. We urgently need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and supplies to get vital aid to civilians. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been notified of the death of one Irish citizen and the death of an immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Nov 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 generations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted at Paris on 9 December 1948. It has been ratified or acceded to by 153 states. Article IX of the Convention provides that disputes between parties about its interpretation, application or fulfilment may be submitted to the International Court of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Staff working in my Department are provided with mandatory cyber security awareness training and regular communications on cyber security matters. The most recent mandatory training programme was launched earlier this month. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s approach to cyber security is multi-dimensional and is in line with the advice of the National Cyber Security Centre, with whom we have a deep partnership. The expenditure on cyber security defence in my Department is integrated within overall ICT costs. Details of total expenditure on ICT for the years 2020 - 2022 are as follows: 2020€12,858,109...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support cyber security and receives regular advice on these matters from the National Cyber Security Centre. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department implements a “defence in depth” approach to cyber security, that is multiple layers of security are in place to protect our systems. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Nov 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland implements UN sanctions and EU sanctions adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. EU sanctions seek to bring about a change in the policy and/or behaviour of the target of the restrictive measures. They are used as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the pursuit of EU foreign policy objectives, along with political dialogue and other complementary...