Results 3,221-3,240 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government Legislation Programme of the current parliamentary session was published on the 16th of January 2024. That legislation programme does not include any bills in preparation within the Department of Foreign Affairs and officials of my Department are not progressing any specific pieces of legislation prior to the Dáil summer recess. The Department’s Statement of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 24 May, the Ambassadors of Ireland, Norway and Spain were called in to the Israeli Foreign Ministry to discuss the consequences of these three countries formally recognising the State of Palestine. During this meeting, the Ambassadors were shown footage of Israeli soldiers taken hostage by Hamas. The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv was not told in advance that this meeting would be attended by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: A Passport Online application is valid in the Passport Service system for a period of 6 months from when the application is made. From the time that the required supporting documents are received, the Passport Service works with the applicant to process the application and ensure all required documents have been submitted to prove the applicant's entitlement to Irish citizenship, to verify...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 23 April 2024. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 23 May 2024. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: At my Department’s request, the Public Appointments Service will launch a recruitment campaign for Third Secretaries in the coming months. Whilst it is not possible to accurately determine the number of vacancies arising during the coming period, my Department has so far recruited more than 55 Third Secretaries from the 2022 Third Secretary competition, which may give an indication as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: As set out in my reply to PQ 24028/24, Ireland works closely with a number of other militarily neutral and non-aligned countries in Western Europe that are not members of NATO, namely Switzerland, Austria and Malta. Last December, a non-paper and accompanying letter was prepared addressing the partnership and engagement by the four countries with NATO. There are no plans to publish these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicants' Guardian directly in relation to the applications. I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient Passport Online service, which is now used...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 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: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs will deploy an additional officer from Dublin to Embassy Paris during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Furthermore, two staff members have been recruited locally, on temporary contracts, to reinforce the Embassy in the provision of services during the Games. The Embassy’s out-of-hours emergency consular service will be reinforced. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: A recruitment campaign was recently held in Boston CG for the role of Consular Services and Administrative Officer with a closing date of 5:00pm EST, Friday 31st May 2024 for applications. As this is an ongoing recruitment competition, and the position is not yet filled, it would not be appropriate comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular form below as at 31 May 2024: Grade Ambassador Consul General First Secretary, AP and equivalent 15 18 Counsellor, PO and equivalent 42 2 Assistant Secretary and higher 18 0

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Ambassador to Italy, Deputy Head of Mission or other diplomatic staff employed in the Irish Embassy in Rome have not visited Naples to date in 2024. The work of our Embassy in Rome does have an important regional dimension, across the range of Ireland’s economic, cultural, political and institutional links with Italy. This will be further bolstered by the planned opening of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. Including through our Embassy in Rabat, Ireland pursues constructive engagement and supports initiatives by the UN, such as the visit of UN Special Advisor...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (11 Jun 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 or Naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland currently has one bilateral agreement with Morocco for the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed on 22 June 2010 and entered into force on 10 September 2012. Official cooperation between the EU and Morocco falls under the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement which entered into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together. The Passport Service has issued over 570,000 passports to date in 2024. The Passport Service is well staffed with a total of 840 staff currently, and is in an excellent position to deliver the level of demand forecasted for this year, even with the busy summer season underway. It is important to note that turnaround times for applications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ongoing, high-level political engagement with the United States is a priority for the Government and a key objective under Ireland's 'Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025'. In February, I visited Washington DC and Chicago for a range of political engagements with key contacts in President Biden's administration and on Capitol Hill, and meetings in Chicago with key political leaders...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s bilateral ties with the Philippines are strong and growing, aided by the establishment of the Irish Embassy in Manila in November 2021 as part of the Global Ireland programme. Diplomatic relations were established in 1984 and this year Ireland and the Philippines celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of the Philippines in London is accredited to Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 2nd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 9thMay 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date. I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more...