Results 42,401-42,420 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service received the applications on 11 April 2023. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. Further documents for the applications were requested 2 June 2023. The applications cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: All staff approved for blended working must abide by the Department’s Blended Working policy which is in line with the Civil Service Blended Working Framework. The policy requires that all applicants for blended working must complete the necessary Cyber Security training, and must have a specified workstation which complies with the Department’s security requirements, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will take place in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway, and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: On foot of my visit to Stephen's Barracks earlier this year, I instructed my officials to prioritise the refurbishment works of Block C in Stephens Barracks, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a contract was awarded to Marlhill Construction Services Ltd last week. Works will commence on site shortly and the project is expected to take 7 months to complete at an estimated cost of €0.5m.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This level of investment will allow for the required transformation and investment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the table below reflects the percentage of social media videos posted between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 on the Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under my remit. It also sets out the numbers of those which included closed captioning/subtitling and the percentage of same that feature...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not have a specific anti-racism policy. However my Department adheres to Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism 2023-2027, a plan ensuring that everyone, regardless of colour, background or ethnicity, is respected as an individual and judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin or their appearance. My Department operates in line...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together. The established strength and current strength of the Defence Forces as at 30 April 2023 is as follows: - Establishment Total Strength Army (WTE) 7,520 6,322 Air Corps (WTE) 886 711 Naval Service (WTE) 1,094 764 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Undefined (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As you will no doubt be aware, the Defence Organisation plays a highly significant and noteworthy role in many State led commemoration ceremonies. Defence Forces personnel have been to the forefront of the State’s commemorations of the Decade of Centenaries, which began in 2016 with a large scale military parade throughout Dublin city. 2022 was arguably the most significant year for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Undefined (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is important to note that Foreign military ships operating in the Irish EEZ are operating on the high seas and exercise freedom of navigation under international law. There is no requirement for foreign military ships to identify themselves to any Irish Authority whilst in the Irish EEZ. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: There have been no staff seconded to my Department from this company in the past ten years to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below provides details of instances in which my Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from the name company in the past 10 years. Purpose Amount Paid excluding VAT Timeframe of Contract Completed Output Preparation of a Preliminary Business Case to assist the MATS Review Group in its deliberations ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017, the establishment of which represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different project groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017, the establishment of which represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different project groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provides the European Union with an operational capacity to deploy civilian and military missions and operations abroad. Their tasks range from conflict prevention and peace-keeping, crisis management, joint disarmament operations, and military advice and assistance tasks to humanitarian and rescue and post-conflict stabilisation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. As of 1 June 2023, Ireland is contributing 522 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 319 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 135...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As a serving member of the Defence Forces approaches retirement, either on age grounds or voluntarily, there are a range of supports made available to them by the Defence Forces. Transition to Civilian Life courses are conducted by Defence Forces Personnel Support Service teams throughout the year. These courses are aimed at personnel who are retiring on age grounds or who are simply...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 263 together. The following table details the total number of personnel who discharged from the Permanent Defence Forces in each of the years 2017 to 2023 (as at 30thApril): Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023* Total Discharges 742 740 882...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Military Authorities have advised that the number of persons medically discharged or retired from the Defence Forces in each of the years 2017 to date, is as follows: Year Number of Medical Discharges/Retirements 2017 27 2018 29 2019 10 2020 27 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below gives details of the age profile, in cohorts of 5 year increments, for persons currently in receipt of a military pension. The data provided relates to pensions arising from service in the Defence Forces which are payable under the following schemes;occupational service pensions under the Defence Forces Superannuation Schemesdisability pensions under the Army Pensions Acts...