Results 2,181-2,200 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with my counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Most recently, I met with then Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 16 November 2023, during my visit to the region. During this visit, I reiterated Ireland’s condemnation of the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October and underlined the need for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is committed to upholding its obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munition to not use, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer into or from national territory cluster munitions under any circumstances. Cluster munitions are, by their nature, indiscriminate and imprecise, and should not be used in any circumstances. Ireland will continue to work toward the full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with a range of ministerial and other counterparts is a central part of my work, and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. In my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have had various contacts with Israeli counterparts and government officials. I travelled to Israel in September 2023, as part of a three-day visit to the Middle East, when I met with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department commissions external contractors, consultancy services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money. My...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government, and I wish to agree with her statement on the highly trained nature of our soldiers on peacekeeping duties in the region. Our personnel are indeed highly trained, professional, and have undergone rigorous preparation to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), spearheaded by Germany, was launched in 2022, with the self-declared aim of creating a European air and missile defence system through the joint acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations in order to strengthen NATO’s integrated air and missile defence. While my Department is aware of the ESSI, Ireland has not...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 67 together. At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. Over the last week, there has been a significant escalation of violence across Lebanon, in terms of Israeli air strikes and Hezbollah rocket fire. The Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The requested information has been sought from the Defence Forces but unfortunately cannot be gathered within the prescribed timeframe as it covers a number of Branches within the Defence Forces as well as the battalion currently stationed in UNIFIL. The Department and the Defence Forces will continue to gather this information, and will follow up with the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The promotion competition that the Deputy refers to is scheduled to run this year. There has been ongoing consultation between civil/military management and the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), to take account of a number of proposed changes to ensure improved efficiency of the competition process and to additionally ensure that the necessary regulatory underpinning for such improvements is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is one capital project currently ongoing in Stephens Barracks, details of which are is set out below: Project EstimatedCost incl. VAT Expected Completion New Barrack Accountant Facility (estimated completion date early 2025) €627,405 Summer 2025 Total €627,405 The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 69 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Transport has confirmed that his Department is examining the recent media reports regarding civil aircraft flights and the carriage of munitions of war. The Department of Transport is continuing its examination of these reports, and its ongoing engagement with the air carriers concerned. As I have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I believe the Deputy may be referring to a report of planes transporting weapons to Israel through Irish airspace. In the first instance, I would like to clarify that the Department of Transport holds the authority and responsibility for overseeing matters related to Irish airspace. I understand that my colleague the Minister for Transport's Department is engaging with the airlines involved...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engagement with my international counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Defence. That being said, in my capacity as Minister for Defence I have not had any contact with a Minister/official from Israel. In the past there have been visits by previous Ministers for Defence to the Middle-East which included on occasion meetings with an Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations, as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (1 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In June of this year, the Department of Defence sought a request for tender for the engagement of external communications’ consultants to assist in the completion of a comprehensive Communications Strategy. The development of a comprehensive Communications Strategy was a specific recommendation of my Department’s Organisational Capability Review in 2022. Following a detailed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The council has the wherewithal. The criteria are clear if there are issues like that. Clearly young Frankie has real issues and that justifies emergency provision of alternative housing for that child and family. I cannot comprehend how that has not happened. If the Deputy gives me the details, I will see what I can do to pursue that specific case and the broader issue. I have dealt...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue in respect of the employees of Bord na Móna. I will talk to the Minister and alert him to the fact that the Deputy has raised this with a view to him engaging with Bord na Móna to see if this issue can be resolved.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Which standard?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will discuss this with the Minister for housing. The Government has been anxious to progress this scheme to get houses remediated, repaired, restored and built anew if that is required. I will certainly talk to the Minister, but the agenda of the Government is to work with people to get these houses-----