Results 45,901-45,920 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I commend the Deputy for raising this issue. We need to try to find a way now to resolve it and deal with it. It is a very serious issue. I have had presentations from people who have been victims of what the Deputy has outlined, which resulted in the loss of a child for a period by one of the parents. It is quite frightening that it happened. It needs perhaps the relevant Oireachtas...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: While we did announce our intention to do it, and legislation is being prepared and has been approved by Government, I cannot give the Deputy a guarantee that this is all going to be through both Houses between now and-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is a tall order. Inevitably in situations like this, when we announce new departures and new legislation, there will always be those who will be outside of the enactment of that legislation.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: It could be called the Carlow caveat or the Carlow clause.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue in a constructive way with a proposal to deal with the issue. I could not agree more that multi-agency working is essential. One of the great problems and challenges in public services is the silo mentality and the absence of a genuine cross-agency and multiple agency co-operation approach. I will refer the matter to the Minister for Justice and the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It is important. Citizens Information offices are essential in terms of providing information to our citizens and have performed wonderfully over the years. The Deputy mentioned that an additional allocation was made to cover a pay deal this year. I will have to check with the Department of public expenditure and the Department of Social...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is getting more bellicose as the elections are getting closer. Deputy Chambers is a fine Minister of State.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy seemed to indicate to me that there is a commitment to do it, if various sites have been looked at.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am surmising that what the Deputy is saying is that sites are being rejected because there is no commitment to provide.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will revert to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. Drogheda is a large town of 40,000 people. It is a fine town with great history and great heritage. It is an important resource for people.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the constructive approach the Deputy has taken in terms of working with school principals and schools in the area to bring about an increase - 19, he said - in the number of classes. In the context of Sacred Heart, I will certainly intervene with the Minister to see if the needs of that school in terms of two ASD classes can be provided for.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present this Bill that will play a key role in driving the necessary transformation of the Defence Forces to the House. A number of high-profile reviews have been undertaken on matters relating to the defence sector in recent years. Key reports include those of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Independent...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is no secret.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 25 April 2024. The Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 84, 85 and 86 together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 400,000 passports this year to date. Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand continues to be a priority for the Department in 2024 and is an issue that is kept under constant review. Demand for passports fluctuates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 400,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 72 together. Funding provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs to international organisations in the years 2019 to 2023 and in 2024 to date is set out in the table below. The table includes mandatory payments arising from Ireland's membership of organisations - often known as assessed contributions - as well as additional voluntary contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's active participation in international bodies and organisations sees Ireland seeking election to various positions within their structures. Such appointments serve to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage and offer internationally recognised platforms for us to express our views on significant issues. From January 2016 to date, funding was expended on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are progressing across both policy and operational strands of planning, led by my Department in close cooperation with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with input from all Departments across Government. The Inter-Departmental Group on...