Results 44,581-44,600 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: A new Consulate General of Ireland was established in Miami in October 2022, gradually scaling up operations and taking over responsibility for the State of Florida on a phased basis from the Consulate General in Atlanta, as well as responsibility for the States of Mississippi and Alabama, and Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Florida is the third most populous state in the United...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland applies all sanctions that are adopted by the United Nations Security Council or by the European Union (EU). Sanctions are an important tool to promote the objectives of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. EU sanctions are always targeted, are based on extensive evidence packs, and are adopted under a variety of geographic and thematic sanctions regimes,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU position is clear; Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law. In view of the unacceptable levels of violence being perpetrated by certain Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, in particular since 7 October 2023, I have underlined my strong support for EU sanctions targeting violent or extreme Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Norway enjoy excellent bilateral relations. We share unique historical connections as well as growing people-to-people links. In the past few years, Ireland’s relationship with Norway has been revitalised through the Global Ireland Strategy for the Nordic Region to 2025. The Nordic Strategy has provided a framework for Ireland to deepen our relationship with Norway and its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Staff (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Four civilian drivers are employed by my Department. Two civilian drivers each are assigned to the Minister of State for EU Affairs and the Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora. Civilian drivers are contracted to work on a week-on week-off basis, with hours of attendance amounting to on average not less than 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week. No additional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (30 Jan 2024)

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 or Naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not had any engagement or availed of any services from the company referred to by the Deputy in the past five years to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: These properties are no longer in the possession of the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The School’s budget allocation in 2023 for horse acquisitions was initially set at €350,000. Additional funding was secured in 2023 as the Horse Purchase Board identified a number of suitable horses that were available for purchase. Five new horses were bought in 2023 as well as payments made for the continued lease of two horses. The total cost of these payments was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The entry age limits for General Service Recruits, Air Corps Aircraft Apprentices and certain Direct Entry ‘other rank’ specialists (DFSM Instrumentalists) were increased to 29 years in 2023. Further age increases for these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The proposals set out in the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 to prohibit the Defence Force Representative Associations from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter is already provided for in Regulation, namely the Defence Force Regulation (DFR) S.6, which states that “No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is the case that since 23 January 2020, the holder of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) cannot be a member of a Representative Association. This point is set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) 02/2020, Section 4(1) and Section 6(2). This draft Defence (Amendment) Bill will further include the post of the Military Judge (MJ), as both these posts are unique, within...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. Of that strength, 364 personnel were in full time induction training of varying duration, comprised of 86 recruits, 116 Private 2 star, 103 Cadets, 12 Air Corp Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician and 47 Air Corp Apprentice Technicians. The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that, as of 23 January 2024, the following number of women were in General Service Recruit or Cadet training across all Branches. Army Air Corp Naval Service Recruit* 10 6** 4 Cadets 15 3 1 *Includes personnel undergoing initial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the Defence Forces that their records indicate there are contracts currently in place with Elbit Systems Ltd (Elbit Systems Land Ltd and Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber). The Defence Forces have also indicated that the companies listed from 2-11 do not appear on their records.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that there are no civilian or Garda drivers appointed to me in my capacity as Minister for Defence or to the Minister of State in the Department of Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (31 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 100% of people in Gaza are estimated to be acutely food insecure, while a quarter of its population faces catastrophic hunger and starvation. I have no doubt that the shocking situation on the ground also adversely affects the welfare of animals. I have consistently underlined that we urgently need a massive and sustained...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 9 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (31 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I Straitéis Diaspóra na hÉireann 2020-2025 áirítear tiomantas leathan chun tacú le léiriú cultúrtha i measc ár ndiaspóra. Maidir leis an nGaeilge go sonrach, tá an Rialtas tiomanta sa straitéis do chur chun cinn agus do mhúineadh na Gaeilge thar lear. Tá maoiniú ar fáil ó Chlár Tacaíochta...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (31 Jan 2024)

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 or Naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...