Results 2,381-2,400 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has developed a policy on the use of Generative AI in line with advice and guidance issued by Government and the National Cyber Security Centre. ICT related policies are available to all staff. The Department is actively exploring the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and the various policy considerations that arise. The Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (22 Jan 2025)

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: Human Rights (22 Jan 2025)

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 oppose all use of the death penalty, including in Iran, and including in relation to political activism. Both the death penalty and the continued suppression of perceived opposition or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jan 2025)

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: Departmental Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs public offices are located at the following Dublin locations: Iveagh House, 78-81 St Stephen’s Green, D02 VY53 Knockmaun House, 42-47 Lower Mount St, D02 TN83 Department of Foreign Affairs staff are also based in premises in Dublin 2 (Harcourt Street, Clonmel St, and Kevin Street) as well as in Balbriggan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Since the inaugural European Political Community (EPC) Summit held in Prague in 2022, during the Czech EU Presidency, it has become the established practice that the EU Member State holding the Presidency of the Council in the second half of each year offers to host an EPC Summit. This was the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Ireland remains deeply concerned about the repression of minorities and the treatment of human rights defenders in China, including in Tibet. The protection and promotion of human rights remains a core pillar of Ireland's Foreign Policy. Ireland regularly raises concerns on these matters with China, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. I raised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Planning is underway within the United States on a rich programme of events to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US in summer of 2026. Ireland's deep ties with the US stretch back beyond the founding of our respective countries - of the fifty-six signatories of the Declaration of Independence, three were born on the island of Ireland. This year, Ireland will accelerate our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: In light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government’s analysis is that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions. The next Government will decide on a course of action in line...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below outlines the dates and destinations of foreign travel undertaken by the Tánaiste in 2023 and the associated travel and hotel costs for the Tánaiste and other members of travelling delegations. In some cases, there were no travel costs charged to the Department or reduced costs, as Ministerial Air Transport was organised by the Air Corps, while in other cases there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of EU Directives and supported by procurement guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the OGP focusing especially on achieving procurement savings and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department has reviewed its records and there are no payments over the last 10 years, to the companies named by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, and Alexander Lukashenko regime’s continued persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. The Lukashenko regime has consistently used state sponsored crack-downs to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism. It is clear that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Global Ireland Strategy was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of twenty-two new missions under the Strategy. A further five new diplomatic missions were announced in March 2024 with new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below provides a breakdown by month and grade of civil servants in my Department who were on a career break in 2023 or 2024. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended longer than five years in 2023 or 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the number of vacancies that arose in my Department, by month and by grade throughout 2023 and 2024. Any vacancies that arise are filled as soon as possible, either through the Civil Service mobility scheme, on appointment from the Public Appointments Service or alternatively, through an internal promotion process. Staffing in support of the Army Pensions Board is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013, Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Civilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. There were no civilian tailors employed by my Department during the period 2023 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The LE Aoibhinn and the LE Gobnait, the Naval Service's P70 Class Inshore Patrol Vessels, each has a minimum crewing requirement of 24 personnel. The LÉ George Bernard Shaw and all of the P60 Class of Offshore Patrol Vessels have a minimum crewing requirement of 45 personnel. I am advised by the Defence Forces that the strength of the crew, and ranks thereof, may vary, depending on the...