Results 47,361-47,380 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 650,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There are currently no backlogs and 95% of applicants apply through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been advised by the military authorities that no competitions for the Defences Force School of Music have been held to date in 2024. A recruitment campaign for instrumentalists resulted in 7 instrumentalists being inducted in September 2023. A Captain level (Conductor) appointment is anticipated from the Conductor campaign which closed in December 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The competitive process for the purposes of delivering a replacement aircraft for the Ministerial Air Transport Service is well advanced with the restricted Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage complete and a number of aircraft manufacturers having passed to the Invitation To Tender stage, which is ongoing at present. A Civil Military Project Team comprising Officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there is one person currently undertaking the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Officers Course and their expected qualification dates are as follows: ATC Qualification Estimated Qualification Date Tower Q3 2024 Radar Q4 2026 A new Air Traffic Controller cadetship competition was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there are currently 24 trainee pilots, comprised of 11 cadets completing military training which is required before they commence their Pilot Wings course, and a further 13 officers undertaking pilot training. The table below provides the details requested by the Deputy: Air Corps Class / Course Number of Personnel ...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I know the Acting Chair was joining with me in celebrating Cork's victory on Sunday.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: He had no choice in that matter. I also welcome the Kildare active retirement group as well. Senator Craughwell persists in either misreading or deliberately distorting what is in the Bill. The Bill stresses "while in uniform, or-----

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: It states: a member of the Permanent Defence Force shall not— (a) while in uniform or otherwise making himself or herself identifiable as a member of the Permanent Defence Force— (i) make, without prior authorisation from the member’s commanding officer, a public statement or comment in relation to a political matter or matter of Government policy, or (ii) attend...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That was affecting Third World organisations.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Speak for yourself.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is not the case.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, it is outrageous to say, as Senator Craughwell has said, that members of the Defence Forces cannot become members of a committee in a sporting club or any organisation. Nothing changes in that respect. My own club, Nemo Rangers, benefited enormously from military personnel through the years who helped us win All-Ireland club championships and so on. One, Shea Fahey, came...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (10 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ar dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Chéad-Aire sa Tuaisceart, Michelle O’Neill, agus roimh fheisirí nua Pharlaimint na Breataine chuig ár dTeach. Ní aontaím leis an mhéid atá ráite ag an Teachta Doherty. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil an-chuid infheistíochta curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----grant of €420,000 per dwelling; grant rates in keeping with advice from the Society of Chartered Surveyors; and a Government guarantee in the form of a second grant option, if required, for a period of up to 40 years. That was not in the previous scheme, which Deputy Mac Lochlainn was happy with.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The new scheme includes a revised application process, which removes the financial barrier to scheme entry; an independent appeals process for applicants; and alternative accommodation and storage costs and immediate repair works to the maximum value of €25,000, which people had asked for. It provides for the expertise of the Housing Agency in assessing applications, the inclusion of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: First of all, we have locked nobody out of this scheme. Sinn Féin, and Deputy Mac Lochlainn in particular, gave an admittedly cautious welcome to the previous scheme in January 2020.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That scheme compares in no shape or form to the new scheme that this Government introduced.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Our scheme is far more comprehensive and far more expansive. It deals with all of the issues that were all of the issues raised with me when I first met with the group. The policy response has been a very generous one. There has to be an evidence-based approach to it. The Society of Chartered Surveyors was brought in to look at the costs and all of the implications and to make provision....