Results 6,501-6,520 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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 requested further documentation for the application. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. Engagement with third countries is a central part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Ireland maintains bilateral relations with Israel. Within this context, both I and my officials maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the...

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

Micheál Martin: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can confirm that the citizens in question were part of the group of Irish citizens and dependants that exited from Gaza via the Rafah crossing last week. They were met by staff from the Irish Embassy in Cairo and provided with consular assistance and support. I can confirm that the two children are now in Ireland with their father.

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

Micheál Martin: Since the beginning of the crisis, thousands of foreign and dual nationals have been seeking to leave Gaza. The Rafah border crossing first opened for the exit of foreign and dual nationals on 1 November, though it has subsequently been closed or disrupted on several occasions. Since then, a daily list of individuals cleared to cross is published by the relevant authorities. The evacuation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Budget 2024 (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In the pre-budget submission made by my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, a total of €5 million was sought to maintain existing levels of service (ELS) at the Passport Service. In addition, the Department sought to retain an allocation of €10 million from the COVID Contingency Fund, which has been used to support staffing of the...

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. To...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and will respond fully as soon as the information is complete.

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 124 together. My Department implements a programme of continuous review in relation to ICT security in order to keep up to date with current threat levels given that cyber security is a multi-faceted challenge that is constantly evolving. In common with other Government Departments, my Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to...

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

Micheál Martin: It is a long-standing policy that long term residential accommodation is no longer provided. There is no immediate plan to reverse this long-standing policy, which was introduced in the early 1990’s and was implemented on a gradual basis in recognition of the sensitivities involved for military personnel and their families. The Deputy may wish to note that there are over 4,500...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the Defence Forces that their records indicate that there are two contracts currently in place with the organisations referred to in this PQ. Total spend over the last 5 years on these two contracts amounts to €4,063,273. The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the acquisition of...

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

Micheál Martin: Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces are currently engaged in any exercise, operation, training or research with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. However, I am advised that my Department and the Defence Forces have engaged with...

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

Micheál Martin: The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence. In October 2023, the EU approved the revised EU maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and action plan, aimed at addressing security challenges at sea. The strategy and its accompanying action plan were first adopted by the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 130 and 134 together. Responsibility for the prevention crime, including human trafficking rests primarily with An Garda Síochána, while overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the security role carried...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 136 together. The military authorities advise that as at the end of October 2023, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces stood at 7,595. I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and, to counter these, there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway. These include...

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

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Currently the Air Corps have twenty six (26) aircraft in service, comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft, which enable them to...

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

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. In relation to fisheries protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

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

Micheál Martin: With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Budget 2024 (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Vote group comprises of two Votes, Army Pensions and Defence. For 2024, an additional Existing Level of Service (ELS) requirement of €86 million was identified on the Defence Vote group, comprising of €70 million on the Defence Vote, including an additional €57 million for capital, and €16 million on the Army Pensions Vote. Spending on the Army...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have addressed the wider issues relating to Ireland’s approach to the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on frequent occasions over recent weeks so I will focus my response on issues relating to diplomatic clearance for military aircraft, and the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft. Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Inquiries (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no tribunals, public investigation or commissions of investigations currently underway.