Results 40,841-40,860 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act, 2008, sets out the legislative basis for processing and issuing Irish passports.  To comply with the legislative requirements, meet increased demand and effectively serve Irish citizens globally, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to promote a digital first agenda for the Passport Service. To date, this has seen the Passport Service deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The recruitment of child soldiers remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world. During Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, we consistently engaged on Children And Armed Conflict (CAAC), including as an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on CAAC and through a number of resolutions. Ireland participated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is actively engaged in providing support to undocumented Irish citizens living in the United States.  The Embassy of Ireland in Washington, as well as our eight Consulates-General across the U.S., work closely with Irish immigration centres that provide support and information to our citizens, including the undocumented. Many of these groups, including the Coalition of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.  Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City currently holds Ireland's accreditation to Cuba and is actively engaged on the bilateral relationship with Cuba, regularly interacting with the Cuban authorities, the Irish community in Cuba and the EU Delegation in Havana. Officials in my Department maintain frequent contact with the Embassy of Cuba in Dublin on a range of issues and initiatives in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Illegal Dumping (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, a mediated agreement was reached between my Department and Kildare County Council in regard to this matter. As a result of the outcome of that agreement the Department of Defence engaged the services of environmental consultants to carry out a Natura Impact Statement and an Environmental Impact Statement incorporating a restoration plan for the area in question....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As of 1 February 2023, there are 5 members of the Permanent Defence Force on secondment to other Government Departments or International Bodies.  The secondments are detailed, by rank and location, in the following table: Rank Number of Seconded  United Nations Brigadier General (Acting Major General) 1 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since I was appointed as Minister for Defence, no advisers have taken up employment in this Department.  I have appointed Ms. Gráinne Weld as a special adviser.  Ms. Weld has been appointed as adviser to me as Minister for Defence and also as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.  Ms. Weld’s appointment is subject to Government approval, pursuant...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (31 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: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish Horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Army Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: In line with Circular 01/2020 issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Government Departments, Offices and agencies are, with effect from 1 January 2020, required to record, monitor, and value the greenhouse gas emissions associated with official air travel usage and, no later than 28 February each year, make a payment to the Fund Manager of the statutory Climate Action...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that publications and advertising in local papers in relation to military exercises in relation to this and other military installations will resume in line with Defence Forces operational and training activities.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that the protocols in place for the use of ammunition for training purposes are determined by the nature of the ammunition and the location of the training activity. The protocols and procedures that are in place for the use of live ammunition in domestic military operations are governed by a Defence Forces guidance document on the the use of force,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together. The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31 December 2022. Current Strength (WTE) Agreed Strength Permanent Defence Force 7,987 9,500 Army 6,478 7,520 Air Corps ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 27 January 2023, is 745 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the breakdown requested: Personnel Stream Strength as at 27/01/2023 Qualified pilots 96 Cadets currently completing military training* 14 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (31 Jan 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 primary 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 terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 407 and 408 together. As at 31 December 2022, there were 564 female members of the Permanent Defence Force, 28 of whom were serving overseas.   The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 564, by rank, is as follows:  OFFICER LT GEN MAJ GEN BRIG GEN COL LT COL ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and the Government remains committed to the advancement of the Reserve. The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 December...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department and its Embassy network has engaged in promotion online where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens, and for the wider promotion of Ireland around the world. This had included campaigns relating to Passports, Consular Assitance, St Patrick's Day, and 'all of Government' campaigns relating to Covid-19 and Brexit. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that my attention has not been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and/or press office of my Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of my Department.