Results 2,261-2,280 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 31 August 2024, 271 civil servants are employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in support of the Government of Ireland's development cooperation programme, Irish Aid. 12 officers are currently availing of flexible working options, resulting in a Full Time Equivalent staffing total of 268. Details are provided in the table below. Grade Vote 27 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 31 August 2024, 2,164 civil servants are employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. 101 officers are currently availing of flexible working options, resulting in a Full Time Equivalent staffing total of 2,129. Details are provided in the table below. Grade Total Assistant Secretary and higher 32 Principal Officer and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Over the past five years, the Department of Foreign Affairs has grown as Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded and as our Passport Service continues to successfully meet high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target. The Department now employs 2,164 civil servants, which is 522 more than at the end of 2019. In that context, we currently have a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The below tables include the numbers of staff not current working within the Department of Foreign Affairs due to secondment, maternity leave, career break, long-term sick leave and parental leave as of 23 September 2024. There are currently no officers on paternity leave as of 23 September 2024. Officers currently on a secondment to another Department, EU Institution or external...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: A breakdown of current hardship categorisation follows. Postings at a number of DFA missions are categorised as hardship postings. These missions are in locations where there are assessed to be particularly difficult conditions across a range of factors including climate, health and social services, personal security and political tension. Hardship ratings are calculated on a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: All civil servants posted to our missions abroad are paid the standard salary for their grade as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and are subject to the normal taxation and social security obligations that apply to civil servants. In common with other diplomatic services, this Department further supports officers who are assigned abroad to serve...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have consistently stated that Ireland does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. This remains our strong position, especially as women, girls and vulnerable groups continue to face abhorrent human rights abuses by the Taliban. Ireland remains fully aligned with the EU Council Conclusions of March 2023 which reaffirmed commitment to peace and stability in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The following Special Advisers have been employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs since December 2022. The appointment of Special Advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval. - Special Adviser Minister Salary Scale 2022 – present Gráinne Weld ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran. The widespread, arbitrary, and sometimes politically-motivated use of the death penalty is an issue of particular concern. Ireland and the EU regularly speak out against the use of the death penalty, including in Iran. Human Rights remain a consistent topic raised in interactions with Iranian officials, including the death...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: While attention has been focused on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, it is important also to stress that there have been ongoing attacks across the Israel-Lebanon border since October 2023, and that approximately 100,000 people in northern Israel and in southern Lebanon have been evacuated from their homes since then. I have repeatedly drawn attention to this unacceptable...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Any Special Advisers appointed to me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as such, that Department holds their employment details. The Special Adviser assigned to the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, is also an employee of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by my officials that the information requested by the Deputy is not recorded or retained on file in my Department. As I have previously advised the House, a small number of Israeli companies have won orders for defensive equipment in recent years as a result of tender competitions. In each case, the contract was awarded on the basis that the company concerned had submitted the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that Defence Forces personnel on overseas tours of duty are debriefed before repatriation and informed of the supports available to them should they experience issues upon return home. Personnel are also examined by a military medical officer prior to repatriation and may raise any concerns at that examination. In the event of further care being required, personnel have access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (25 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 855,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. First-time applications are the most complex applications due to the necessary checks involved to verify the identity and citizenship status of the applicant. The turnaround time to complete first-time online applications is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Deaths of Irish Citizens Abroad (25 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Consulate are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen. I understand that a case officer has been assigned to the citizen and that they remain in contact. I further understand that the Consulate has very recently followed up with local authorities on the case as part of efforts to further...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reports (25 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together. Given the passage of time since these tragic events, and in light of litigation cases which where I am advised confidential to the parties involved, I have requested my officials to examine the Deputy's request and report back to me with a recommendation on same. Upon my consideration of this awaited report, I will revert to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available from the Department's financial management systems within the time frame sought. Officials from my Department will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (24 Sep 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...