Results 40,701-40,720 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Peter Burke was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Defence on 21 December 2022 to act as a member of the Council of Defence. Under Section 11 of the Defence Act 1954, there is a requirement that a Council of Defence shall stand established. The section also provides that the Minister of State at the Department of Defence shall be a member of the Council. As such,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy, that I have not availed of media training from any organisation or persons from January 1, 2021, to this date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015.The Plan is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. A midterm review of the Plan was recently completed by my Department and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below outlines the number of applications and inductions under the Naval Service direct entry schemes, by Officer and Other Ranks, for each year from 2019 to 2022: Naval Service 2019 2020 2021 2022 Officer- Applications 82 73 76 85 Officer - Inductions 2 1 0 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Plaques (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that arrangements are in train to replace the plaque bearing a misspelling at the National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in the service of the State, which is located in Merrion Square, Dublin. When the matter was originally brought to my Department's attention in 2021, the replacement of the plaque was scheduled to coincide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, working in the Defence Forces is a demanding career which places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, exposing them to a unique range of challenging environments. In these circumstances, it is vital that the health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. Candidates applying...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As previously indicated, the majority of the site in question is not under the ownership of the Department of Defence, but rather that of a third-party; with the Department retaining a holding on the site of approximately 1 Hectare of the overall 10 Hectare site. While no approach has been made by the Local Authority in relation to a transfer, my Department has no objection in principle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned at reports of the ongoing obstruction of the Lachin corridor since 12 December, and the impact on ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh. In a ruling on 21 December, the European Court of Human Rights called on the government of Azerbaijan to take all measures within its jurisdiction to ensure safe passage through the Lachin Corridor of seriously ill persons in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (24 Jan 2023)

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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Australia enjoy close diplomatic relations, anchored in shared values and close people to people links. Our Embassies are engaged in a range of activities to deepen our engagement. In 2021, we celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations with Australia. Ireland and Australia share a common outlook and shared values on many global issues. We also work closely with Australia in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the comments to which the Deputy refers. Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is a key priority for Ireland. One of the fundamental aspects in achieving Ireland’s overarching foreign policy goal of a more equal, peaceful, and sustainable world is gender...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland has engaged actively on this issue, including in the context of our tenure on the UN Security Council. At a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 19 December, Ireland highlighted that 2022 was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (24 Jan 2023)

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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (24 Jan 2023)

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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is crystal clear; the continued establishment and expansion of settlements violates international law, undermines prospects for a two-State solution and is a major obstacle to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. This position was reiterated by Ireland at the meeting of the UN Security Council on 19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 29 December, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution (77/247), which included a request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on issues arising from Israel’s continuing occupation of Palestinian territory. Ireland voted in favour of this Resolution. Ireland is a strong supporter of the ICJ, and welcomes the increased recourse of States to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business Supports (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The majority of grants paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs are made available to charities and NGOs both in Ireland and abroad. However a small proportion of funding is made available for for-profit business through the awarding of grants through the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP). The AADP is a joint programme run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and The Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (24 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the requested information in the table below: Personnel Stream Strength as at 12/01/2023 Qualified Military Aircraft Technicians 175 Qualified Military Avionics Technicians 29 Apprentice Military Aircraft Technicians 62 A Military Aircraft Technician (MAT)...