Results 2,581-2,600 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Developing an agreed approach on legacy which responds to the needs of victims is fundamental to progressing reconciliation in Northern Ireland, in the full spirit of concord that underpinned the Good Friday Agreement. Legacy issues, both specific cases, and the wider approach feature in all of my engagements with my UK counterparts. I also engage with victims' representatives and with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been engaging intensively with EU Member States, partners in the region, the United States and other partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and Palestine. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish passport is a vital document of the Irish State and currently allows for visa free access to 193 destinations. The current design is over 10 years old and the upcoming redesign is central to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Irish passport. As part of the redesign process, the Passport Service undertook a public consultation last year. The purpose of this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: In addition to its main telephone line, the Department of Foreign Affairs operates five dedicated public helplines and an out-of-hours emergency line so that citizens in Ireland and across the globe can seek emergency consular assistance. The main telephone line of the Department is +353 1 408 2000. Outside of normal working hours, this telephone line operates as the out-of-hours...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy that the formulation of a policy position on any such matter, including an assessment of the necessary legislative underpinning, is informed by military advice or a formal request from the Chief of Staff. A formal request on this particular matter, that being the power of suspension, was submitted to the Tánaiste on 25 June 2024. This will now be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that my Department does not use artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions. In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been advised that 1 encrypted laptop and 3 mobile phones were reported as lost or stolen in my Department over the last 10 years. The devices listed were up-to-date with all security measures required for devices in the Department and so posed no risk to data subjects. All Department of Defence official devices are issued in accordance with OGCIO policies and guidance. These...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 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 this Government. As Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, I remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and both I and the Department of Defence are kept apprised of developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: As you are aware Ireland has experienced a significant shift in our security landscape over the past year, similar to several other European countries. There's now heightened attention on maritime security and safeguarding subsea cables. Ensuring the security of Ireland's subsea infrastructure remains a top priority for the government. Ireland is also currently observing on the PESCO...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: 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 tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces. The military authorities have advised that a number of initiatives have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The following table details the total level of turnover in the PDF in 2022, 2023 and in 2024 as at 31 May, and the corresponding breakdown between trained personnel and those in training. Year Overall Turnover Level In-Training Trained 2022 11.19% 1.92% 9.26% 2023 10% 1.42% 8.58% ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (9 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department operates four public helplines within two specific areas , relating to Defence Forces Pay & Pensions and Corporate Support. Primary or Level 1 public helplines for Defence Forces Pay & Pensions queries are managed by the National Shared Services Officer (NSSO), as the provider of payroll processing services to government...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Some of these issues are when schools are initially started. No school, in my view, should be ten years waiting but it tends to happen if the agreed planning processes are not applied in terms of recognition of a school's identity and so on. We have been through all that. I presume the school has a school building scheme on the way or a design at various stages. I have talked to the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Where is it now in the pipeline?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will check it out and I will come back to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have full employment in the economy and there has been very substantial economic growth under this Government. We cannot be complacent, however, and housing is an issue. There has been significant improvement in housing in the past three years-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----without question. Last year 33,000 houses were built.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Covid upset the first two years of this Government in terms of construction. Since then we have made significant progress but we have more to do. It is about supply and a combination of a whole range of programmes which we currently have in place. The bottom line is it is the only plan out there. I am stunned and shocked that Sinn Féin has never produced a blueprint for housing and...