Results 45,661-45,680 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Defence Force Regulations (DFR) A10 and A15 provide for the discharge and retirement of Permanent Defence Force enlisted personnel and officers respectively. The vast majority of persons discharging from the Defence Forces do so at no cost. Discharge by purchase occurs when a Non Commissioned Officer or Private elects to leave the Defence Forces and pays an appropriate sum to discharge, in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 29 February 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,451 personnel comprised of 6,018 Army personnel, 702 Air Corps personnel, and 731 Naval Service personnel. The military authorities have advised they are in the process of confirming the number of personnel in each arm of the Reserve Defence Force and this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the requested material has recently been forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Pensions (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The case of the person in question (details supplied) has been reviewed and I am advised that the position is that he was not a member of a Defence Forces Contributory Spouses’ and Children’s Pension Scheme. The individual in question opted out of the Original Scheme in 1977 and did not opt to join the Revised Scheme in 1985 when given the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Civilian employees may, subject to the business needs of the respective military installation, be transferred to particular duties by military management in line with public service guidelines. In certain circumstances, a case may be made for an employee to carry out duties of a higher grade for a specific period of time. Should a business case be made by military management, and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question. I am not at liberty to discuss or comment on any protected disclosure; however, I am assured by Military Management that no member of the Defence Forces is denied anything on foot of having made a protected disclosure. The Defence Forces is on record for encouraging members to speak out against abuse of any kind either through official...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together. My Department is aware of recent media reports regarding the training of members of the Libyan National Army by an Irish-based company and the possibility that such activity is in breach of UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures. The alleged breaches of UN and EU sanctions in the manner outlined in the media reports...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Pensions (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 590, 629, 815 and 872 together. As of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces personnel who currently have a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness. As announced on 5 March 2024, in tandem with the changes made to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these are paper applications which were received on 12 February 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. These applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is wholeheartedly supportive of Palestinian efforts to secure full membership of the United Nations. On 2 April 2024, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine wrote a letter requesting that the Security Council give renewed consideration to Palestine’s application for UN membership as originally submitted in 2011. Admission to UN membership is a substantive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The ongoing security crisis in Haiti, and its impact on human rights together with the deteriorating humanitarian situation, is extremely concerning. I echo the support expressed by the UN Secretary General for the establishment of a Transitional Council for Haiti, in line with the 11 March agreement brokered by the Caribbean Community. A Haitian-led political process will help address...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Malaysia enjoy positive diplomatic relations, supported by resident Embassies in each other’s countries. The Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland presented credentials to President Higgins in November 2023. Although I have not met the Ambassador so far in 2024, my officials have excellent ongoing engagement with the Ambassador and his team. As set out in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Recent press reports regarding the training of members of the Libyan National Army by an Irish-based company and the possibility that such activity is in breach of UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures, are deeply shocking and cause reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces. No Irish citizen should knowingly be involved in activities that breach these sanctions, least of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“The 2008 Act”).Under Section 14(1) of the Act, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for a Partnership Government of 2016 provided for the award of the 1916 Commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The legal position is clear – under international humanitarian law Israel must protect civilians in Gaza. Ireland has consistently emphasised the international humanitarian law obligations upon all actors to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. Ireland continues to engage in international initiatives...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since its launch in 2022, the Global Ireland Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025 has been delivering increased engagement with the countries of the region across all five of its key objectives, as well as an enhanced provision of consular assistance and services to Irish citizens present in the region. Ireland's presence in, and relations with, the countries of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since 2012, the European Court of Justice has found against Ireland in six infringement cases where financial penalties have been levied as follows - Country Total AUSTRALIA 512 AUSTRIA 12 BELGIUM 22 BELIZE 1 BULGARIA 7 CANADA ...