Results 41,741-41,760 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: No, it was not. That is the point. I would argue that Deputy Connolly has got it wrong on that front. I just want to make that point to her. Hence we had the independent review and the scoping inquiry.

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed this with officials.

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Clearly something more was required. There was the documentary. There have been many watershed moments in history globally and nationally. In my view, clearly there was not the same cut-through as there has been now with the "Documentary on One" and the Katie Hannon documentary and the role of the Women of Honour in that regard. When I say cut-through I mean the very significant raising...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (29 Mar 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: Passport Services (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. The Passport Service is is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. Over 275,000 passports have been issued to date in 2023. The busy season for passports in 2023 is underway, and demand forecasts indicate that the Passport Service will issue just...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Each year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the following year. Part of this planning involves a public communications strategy carried out by my Department, with a view to ensuring passport demand is manageable throughout the year, by encouraging citizens to apply in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel. The 2022 communications campaign for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for these applications were received by the Passport Service on 22 February 2023. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the parent on 15 March 2023. These supporting documents were received on 22 March 2023. Turnaround time from receipt of further supporting documents...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 181 together. On Tuesday last, following Cabinet approval, I published the report of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has agreed to progress, as a priority, the report’s recommendations. These include the: - Establishment of a statutory inquiry to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. The changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe calls for consideration of the State’s approach to international security policy issues. Against this backdrop, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Irish citizens travelling or living overseas are encouraged to voluntarily register their contact details using the Citizens' Registration platform of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but there is no requirement to do so.  No authoritative records are maintained by Government of the number of Irish citizens living in any given place abroad. Irish passports can be renewed from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The sanctions adopted in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. A number of Iranian individuals and entities are subject to restrictive measures in relation to the use of Iranian drones in Russian aggression...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 126, 148, 151, 152 and 153 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 Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The escalation in violence, displacement of people and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation are appalling. During our time on the United Nations Security Council and through our bilateral and EU engagement, including at the Human Rights Council, Ireland has consistently condemned the coup, calling for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 121, inclusive, together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. Over 322,000 passports have been issued to date in 2023. The busy season for passports in 2023 is underway, and demand forecasts indicate that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the "2008 Act"). Under the 2008 Act, a passport cannot be issued to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person and that the person is an Irish citizen. First time applicants for passports are required to submit their full original civil birth certificate,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department undertook large scale consular operations in 2020 and 2021.  A major element of the assistance provided was the repatriation of Irish citizens from around the world.   As a matter of ongoing policy, citizens being repatriated to Ireland in such circumstances are required to meet the costs associated with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Apr 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: Irish Prisoners Abroad (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign...