Results 81-100 of 20,471 for speaker:Micheál Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 July 2024, stood at 728 personnel. As the Deputy is aware, as one of the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel by 2028, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have previously acknowledged the particular difficulties in attracting and retaining certain specialties in the Naval Service, in the current buoyant employment market . To address such challenges, a number of recruitment initiatives have been introduced including an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (9 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy, that the appointment of Ministers is a matter for the Taoiseach, and the Taoiseach alone. There is a Constitutional limit of fifteen on the number of ministers that can be appointed; there are currently eighteen government departments, which means that it is not constitutionally possible to have one standalone Minister for each Department. It is necessary, in a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Sep 2024)

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 changes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sports Facilities (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 20 February, the Government announced an allocation of €50 million from the Shared Island Fund as its contribution towards the redevelopment of Casement Park. The Government has been clear that we would like to see Casement Park redeveloped in time to host EURO2028 matches in Belfast. The Government remains committed to achieving this goal and will work with the Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I discussed the issue of legacy in my calls with both the new Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP on July 5, their first day in office. I assured them that the Government remains steadfast in its opposition to the UK Legacy Act as it currently stands but that I looked forward to working closely with the Secretary of State on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jul 2024)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I had a positive first call with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, on 5 July immediately following his appointment, to congratulate him on his appointment and to welcome his Government's commitment to reset the East-West relationship. We agreed to meet in person as soon as possible. In our conversation I expressed my desire to work with the new Secretary of State...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I was pleased to have my first call with Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP on Friday 5 July following his appointment to the role earlier that afternoon. I congratulated the Foreign Secretary on the Labour party's success in the elections and on his appointment. The focus of our call was on both the bilateral relationship and international issues. Reflecting on the breadth of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European single market is one of the EU’s crowning achievements, and seeks to guarantee the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people. These are known collectively as the ‘four freedoms’. It has been a significant economic growth engine for the EU, providing for a shared approach to?the challenges of migration, terrorism and climate change, and helping...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs recouped €435,883 from the EU in respect of the emergency repatriation of Irish citizens due to COVID-19. The Department has not requested or drawn down any other funds from EU sources in respect of COVID-19. We are not aware of any other funds that would be available to the Department to claim.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicant directly in relation to the documentation required. The applications cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Birth Registration (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or through naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Equal Opportunities Employment (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for employees with disabilities, and to ensuring equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024. My Department’s approach is guided by the Disability...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces School of Music provides musical support to Irish State and Defence Forces ceremonial events. It also supports a wide range of local and national civilian and sporting events, in addition to the performance of a schools educational programme at primary and secondary level. The Military Authorities have advised that the following instruments were purchased in the year 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Air Corps operate a fleet of four (4) Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, which entered service in 2020. Their primary function is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), they also function in air ambulance and transport roles as required. I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Defence did not request or draw down any funding from EU sources for Covid-19 purposes over the period specified.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Equal Opportunities Employment (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, the Department of Defence has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is grounded in its Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Interim Policy. In line with guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Policy states that GenAI systems (such as ChatGPT) should not be used to respond to correspondence such as Parliamentary Questions, or to draft Department or Government policy. My...