Results 4,881-4,900 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (6 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The secretary to the Board is provided from my Department’s staff. I can confirm there has been no exit, severance or redundancy packages of €200,000 and above granted by my Department in any of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (6 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: A limited set of Ministerial Personal staff, namely Ministerial Civilian Drivers and Ministerial Advisors were entitled to redundancy/severance packages following formation of a new Government in 2020. On receipt of advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) outlining severance terms, a total payment of €42,670.46 severance pay issued from my Department. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Where a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian, consent of the surviving guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child, in order to satisfy guardian consent requirements. While the Passport Service of course recognises the difficulties...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Croatia enjoy excellent bilateral relations. As smaller states within the European Union, we share a common outlook and work closely together both in the EU and in other multilateral fora. Both Ireland and Croatia also share a firm commitment to multilateralism and to adhering to the international rules-based order. We were delighted to welcome the Croatian Prime Minister,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 94 and 95 together. Deputy, I was very disappointed to learn that the citizen was not permitted to leave over the weekend as expected. Naturally his family, who had been eagerly anticipating his return, are deeply distressed by recent developments. I have been in regular contact with the citizen's family throughout and fully appreciate how difficult...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs does rent or own any properties within the State as the OPW is responsible for providing such accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service. Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand continues to be a priority for the Department in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 20/02/2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is clear - they are illegal under international law. This was reiterated by the Attorney General at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on 22 February last. In accordance with international law, Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have previously set out our major concerns about Iran in relation to human rights, Iran's nuclear activities, support for Russia's unjust attack on Ukraine, and support for militant and extremist groups around the region. We continue to engage with Iran, bilaterally and at EU level, to try to encourage them to take a different, and more positive, path. The reopening of Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, since 1 January 2019, coercive control is a criminal offence and should be reported to the Gardaí. As with any investigations, the Defence Forces cooperate with An Garda Síochána for any requests made in the conduct of such investigations, as necessary.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Cultural Institutions (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 145 together. In July 2022, the then Minister for Defence accepted the recommendation of the joint civil-military Working Group on Decommissioning that the decommissioning and disposal of three (3) Naval Service ships, namely LÉ Eithne P31, LÉ Orla P41, and LÉ Ciara P42, should be progressed as soon as practicable, taking into...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the individual's application for meritorious promotion was not recommended by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) on 23 June 2021. I understand that material provided on foot of a Freedom of Information request from the individual addressed his non-recommendation for the promotion to the rank of Corporal on the grounds of meritorious service.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Single living-in accommodation is provided for use by personnel for various reasons including those on residential training courses, on operational deployments at short notice, etc. By its nature it is not designed for long-stay accommodation. The occupancy of SLI accommodation can fluctuate on a daily basis, depending on location, the number of courses being held in a location and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (5 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the timeframe available. I will revert directly to the Deputy when same is available.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: We should never look a gift horse in the mouth. I would distinguish between the two. We have to go ahead with the solar element, but the Deputy’s point was well made, in that the repairs have to happen as well. The Minister is in discussions. Year on year, we now have the highest capital allocation to education as well as a growing population, but the school in question clearly...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is working on a national adaptation plan. With UCC, Cork County Council has concluded a major survey of the entire coast of Cork to understand the vulnerabilities. There are other vulnerabilities, as I understand it, underneath Midleton. We have to more proactively develop sea protection mechanisms to cope with rising sea levels. I have argued publicly that we have to...