Results 3,261-3,280 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, together with Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, moved into a newly refurbished Ireland House premises in June 2024. Singapore Ireland House will support a joined-­up Team Ireland approach, maximising the impact of our international engagement by ensuring strong synergies and value for money. It will showcase our cultural heritage,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 12 September 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 together. My Department last week hosted an event specifically to focus attention on the situation of, and issues relating to, the Yazidi community in Iraq, marking ten years since the beginning of the appalling attacks on the whole Yazidi people by the fanatics of Da'esh/ISIL. The seminar brought together representatives from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Turbary Rights (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare, and are not reassigned as such. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,995. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Over the last number of years members of the Defence Forces have benefitted from a range of pay increases associated with national pay agreements. In addition to these pay increases, members of the Defence Forces have further benefitted from specific recommendations arising from the Report of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020. It...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: In line with the National AI Strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. No Departmental functions are currently assisted by large language models, natural language processing or generative AI products. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that my Department does not use artificial intelligence software in the preparation of responses to Parliamentary Questions or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will appreciate that under General Data Protection Regulation it is not appropriate for me to detail the specific points of this individual case through the particular mechanism of a parliamentary question. I can, however, provide a more broad answer to the query and confirm that, in line with established practice on these matters, the calculation of the undertaking for this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following requested information, as at 13 September 2024, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service: Establishment 85 personnel Strength 60* personnel Vacancies 25 *includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers. Vacancies...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Military Authorities have advised that the instruments are not insured for loss or theft.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together. It has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. is the Minister of State in the Department of Defence. She is also Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. She was appointed by the Taoiseach to these separate roles on 9 April 2024. Peter Burke T.D. previously held both roles until he was promoted to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The following table provides the number of Army and Naval Service Cadets inducted in 2023, by gender, as requested: 2023 Male Female Total Army 39 8 47 Naval Service 4 1 5 Applications for the 2024 Cadetship competition are in the final stages of the induction process and so...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are currently 2 live reviews and 5 live research projects as commissioned by my Department. The details are set out in the table below. Activity Name Expected Date of completion Review Review of Civil Defence Training College Delivery Model November 2024 Review Review of the medical services...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to advise that progress continues to be made following my approval earlier this year of the final management position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces. Formal engagement between my officials and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are responsible for developing the appropriate legislative mechanism to remove...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland will now provide approximately 191 personnel to the EU Battlegroup 2025, an increase of 5 of numbers previously advised by me. The additional personnel will include cooks and engineers to carry out recently identified further support roles. The contribution will comprise a Group HQ, a Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the requested information as set out in the following two tables: Table A contains the establishment strength for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF); the current PDF strength and the current RDF effective strength as of 31 August 2024 – in total and also broken down by Officer and Enlisted strength. Also included...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to advise that following my approval earlier this year of the final management position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defences, my officials have been actively engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are responsible for developing the appropriate legislative mechanism to remove the blanket exemption in the Organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (18 Sep 2024)

Micheál Martin: In July 2022, Government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This provides for a rise in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of annual Estimates processes. This level of funding increase would allow for the required substantial...