Results 6,581-6,600 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department's use of AI is grounded in its Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Interim Policy. The Department is actively exploring the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and the various policy considerations that arise.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97, 99, 101 and 107 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 An Taoiseach: Military Aircraft (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have unreservedly condemned the attack by Hamas on Israel. I am also deeply concerned at the unfolding situation in Gaza. I have made it clear that, under international law, Israel has a right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done within the parameters of international humanitarian law. In relation to the use of Shannon airport, military aircraft of other states are...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is in very regular contact with a number of Irish citizens in the region, including with a group of citizens wishing to leave Gaza. We are liaising with all relevant authorities in respect of the individual cases and we are coordinating with EU other international partners to support Irish citizens to exit from Gaza when that becomes possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Human Resources Division of my Department are in direct contact with the member of staff in question. Human Resources will work with the person concerned to confirm their correct pay point, and will advise the National Shared Services Office should any revision of pay be required.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: United Nations (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is the principal intergovernmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights globally, and for addressing violations of human rights and human rights situations of concern. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading UN entity on human rights, mandated to promote...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Oversight of special advisers and office holders under Section 19 of the Ethics in Public Acts 1995 and 2001 is the responsibility of the Standards in Public Office Commission. Accountable issues in relation to special advisers and office holders are defined in declarations to be made under the Acts. There is no obligation on a special adviser to furnish a nil statement where no...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizenship Applications (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs uses advertising and public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of campaigns. The Department engages the services of a third-party...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with third countries is a central part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 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 crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Most recently, I...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with third countries is a central part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Within this context, both I and my officials maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Palestinian Authority. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. In the aftermath of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has positive bilateral relations with both Albania and Georgia. While we do not have a resident Embassy in Albania or Georgia, we are represented via secondary accreditation from Ireland's Embassies in Athens and Sofia respectively and maintain ongoing dialogue with the Albanian and Georgian authorities. In respect of the numbers of international protection claims made Georgian...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together. The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers. The majority of Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not engaged the services of the company referred to by the Deputy from 1st January 2022 to date.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Aid (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 18 October, following a discussion I had with the Commissioner General of UNRWA on October 16th, I announced additional core funding of €10 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The Agency provides essential services to 5.7 million Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Even before the current conflict 80% of the population of Gaza...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been active in the EU in calling for adherence to international law, the protection of civilians, and a humanitarian ceasefire. I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I underlined the importance of principled and collective...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Aid (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 9 October, the European Commission stated that it would not immediately suspend its package of financial assistance to Occupied Palestinian Territories. This followed an earlier announcement by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, that the Commission was putting its full development portfolio for Palestinians under review and that all payments...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department raises issues of concern directly with the Embassy where appropriate. Following the brutal and horrifying attack by Hamas on October 7, I spoke to the Ambassador of Israel in Dublin to express my deep concern and sadness at the scenes in Israel. I also wrote to the Israeli Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) determined that the Court may exercise its jurisdiction over certain international crimes, including war crimes, committed in Palestine since June 2014, and that the scope of its territorial jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Shortly afterwards, the then ICC Prosecutor, Fatou...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 30 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 77/247, which included a request to the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Ireland voted in favour of this resolution, which was supported by 87 UN Member States. ...