Results 46,381-46,400 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence, and Ireland takes part in a range of EU initiatives in this regard. In October 2023, the EU approved its revised EU maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and related Action Plan, aimed at addressing security challenges at sea....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Aerial monitoring and surveillance of the Irish EEZ is carried out by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron. Two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment were delivered to the Air Corps in 2023 to replace the existing CASA CN235 aircraft. Following an intensive period of training and verification, the new aircraft have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I assume that by vacant properties the Deputy is referring to residential properties. There are seventy-eight (78) vacant residential type properties under the remit of my Department. I am advised that none of these properties can be occupied without considerable refurbishment and were built before the Building Regulations and associated standards arising from same came into effect. A...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As at 31st March 2024, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army personnel, 701 Air Corps personnel and 722 Naval Service personnel. Whilst recruitment and retention challenges have been acknowledged, a range of measures have been introduced by this Government to address these and make the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this regard that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for two of the applications were received on 9th May 2024. Further supporting documents for the final application was received on the 26th April 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. The applications are within the turnaround time and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 130 and 136 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. The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 144 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together. The Israeli Government is in no doubt as to where Ireland stands on the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv continue to make an important and significant contribution in this regard, and constantly engage with all parts of the Israeli government and administration to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 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 13 May 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 May 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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries resulting from the recent flooding in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and am aware of the many difficulties that the floods have caused, and continue to cause, for those in the region. I want to take this opportunity to extend my sympathies to all of those affected. To ensure a quick and effective response to crises such as this, Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a First Time Application and supporting documents for this application were received on April 29 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that the circumstances of this case have been very difficult for the family and the citizen concerned. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Ireland, Ankara, provided consular assistance to the citizen and their family and I am happy to inform the Deputy that the citizen has now returned to Ireland. I would like to wish the citizen a full and speedy recovery.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The commitment to advance SRHR is articulated in multiple UN resolutions, the EU Consensus on Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ireland has demonstrated strong alignment with SDG commitments around SRHR concerning the reduction of physical, sexual or gender based violence. A Better World – Ireland’s policy for international development - recognises...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 May 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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a member of the Alliance for Multilateralism, an informal forum of States and civil society, which works to ensure that the multilateral system is effective and, importantly, seen to be effective. The United States has been and continues to be a fully engaged and an important contributor to the international multilateral system. Protecting and strengthening our relationship with...