Results 8,301-8,320 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been contacted by representatives of Ms. Donghua Li and Ms Songyuan Li regarding their relatives in China. ‎The Government closely follows reports regarding the treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners by the Chinese authorities. Human rights concerns are regularly discussed with the Chinese authorities in bilateral meetings and in the appropriate multilateral fora....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Passport applicants residing in Northern Ireland can avail of a broad range of witnesses for the purpose of completing their identity and consent forms. A full list of acceptable witnesses can be found on my Department’s website: How to get your passport application witnessed - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie). The Passport Service recently carried out a number of upgrades to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. I am advised by the military authorities that there are 7 enlisted personnel serving in the Air Corps who have not passed NCO courses but were promoted to the NCO rank of Corporal. Of these, one person was further promoted to the rank of Sergeant or higher.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 together. 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. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities (including replacement capabilities as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below provides a breakdown of the number of civil servants by grade currently employed in my Department. Grade Total Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 3 Director 1 Principal 23 Assistant Principal 55 Higher...

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have to leave for the Upper House for statements on the report of the independent review group. This debate started 15 or 20 minutes later than-----

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am not answering questions. I am just making the point that I have to leave.

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Please do not. The Minister of State, Deputy Burke, will respond. I have made my commitment.

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I made my original statement. I am just alerting the Chair-----

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy knows the rules of the House as well as anyone.

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was just explaining. If I left without explaining, people might say I was being disrespectful.

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves, pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960, as applied by section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, the deployment of a Naval Service Vessel and associated support staff and elements for service as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation, Operation lrini, and in accordance with United Nations...

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank Senators for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Having discussed the report of the independent review group in the Dáil on 30 March, it is important that Seanad Éireann should also have an opportunity to discuss it. I understand everyone here shares my view that the health, sustainability and strength of our Defence Forces is a question of fundamental...

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Senators for their contributions. Táimid fíorbhuíoch díobh. Níl aon amhras ach gur tuarascáil den scoth atá againn anseo agus go mbeidh dea-thionchar aige ar Óglaigh na hÉireann sna blianta atá romhainn. Táim an-bhuíoch den bhreitheamh as ucht cé chomh cuimsitheach is atá an tuarascáil. Tá...

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: No, I am speaking generally. I am not saying that Senator Craughwell is saying that-----

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The reason I say this is I did what the Senator suggested and read the report myself. I do not have to depend on advice from officials on how to assess a report like this. I have been through quite a number of inquiries, from my earliest days in the Department of Education when I set up the first ever inquiry into religious institutions and industrial schools. There is considerable trauma...

Seanad: Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: In all walks of life the multidisciplinary approach is now key. Why are lots of people being recruited out of our Defence Forces? I agree with Senator Craughwell in one respect. There is a lot of education in the Defence Forces. There is a huge commitment to learning. I was in Collins Barracks recently. There is fantastic expertise in the area of ordinance and drone technology and so...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Travel to the different regions of France represents an important aspect of the work of our Ambassador to France, Niall Burgess, and his team at our Embassy in Paris and has been identified as a priority activity under the Government's strategy for strengthening our bilateral relations with France. During 2022, the focus of the Ambassador's travel programme was heavily influenced by France's...