Results 42,561-42,580 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is fully committed to the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity. I met with Wang Yi at the Munich Security Council in February...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for these applications were received on 02 June 2023. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Conflict and human rights abuses regrettably continue to be prevalent throughout the world and are a significant driver of humanitarian crises. The number and complexity of these crises globally has increased in recent years, as evidenced by the UN estimating that in 2023, a record 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection – a significant increase from 274...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Western Balkans lies at the heart of Europe. Its future is unquestionably within the European Union. Given that, Ireland has a clear strategic interest in fostering good relations between the communities in the Western Balkans, and between the EU and the region. We do this in numerous ways. First, by facilitating intra-regional dialogue, such as the EU-chaired Belgrade-Pristina...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The recruitment of child soldiers, a grave human rights violation, remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world. Ireland is committed to the protection of children in armed conflict and in humanitarian settings, a shared priority of both the EU and UN. At the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council in March 2023, Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world. In the aftermath of Brexit, this has become more important than ever. This network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Providing ongoing support, along with finding long term solutions, to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the U.S., remains a key priority for this Government. Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with U.S. political representatives. The Government actively supports the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The European Parliament Spring 2023 Eurobarometer survey shows EU citizens’ strong support for democracy and a high awareness of the upcoming European Parliament elections. One year ahead of the next European elections, public interest in these elections has measurably increased. A clear majority of citizens (56%) are interested in the next European elections, 6 points higher compared...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 30 May 2023. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and over half of all online adult renewals issue within 2 working days. The Customer Service Hub is responding to an average of 15,000 queries per week. Firstly I would like to highlight the efficiencies of Passport...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As of 31 May 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,764 personnel while in 2022 it was 7,966, in 2021 it was 8,456 and in 2020 it was 8,568. The current establishment of the Defence Forces is 9,500. I note that the Deputy requested a further breakdown of these figures by branch and I have arranged for a table with these...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is 7,764.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: For clarification, I have the table here and can be straight up with the Deputy. The strength of the Army in 2023 is 6,305 while that of the Air Corps is 704 and that of the Naval Service is 755. I am extremely concerned. I have been in this position for six months now and I am very worried about the situation in the navy. We have had meetings with the flag officer, the Chief of Staff and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can report that good progress has been made on the working time directive. I asked my officials some time back to engage again with the organisations representing our Defence Forces - PDFORRA and, of course, RACO. Concentrated meetings were held over a period of time in the past number of weeks. I do not have an exact timeline yet, but I am confident-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have not. That will be part of the broader organisation of the working time directive. I am very clear that we want to introduce the directive. The pressure will be maintained in the discussions under way with the representative organisations. That is a very important factor. It does present some challenges, but that said, it is an important part of not just of the broader culture...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in last year's report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government's commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the early actions identified in the subsequent high-level action plan, published in response to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I outlined in my reply that there was a visit to Cyprus as part of the research that has been undertaken by the project team that has been established. The Deputy mentioned a figure being bandied about. We need to be careful of reporting any figure. I am a firm believer-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: If we are going to tender at some stage in the future, I do not want those who are tendering thinking that we have a bottom-line price,-----