Results 4,941-4,960 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The age limits for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The entry age limits for General Service Recruits, Air Corps Aircraft Apprentices and certain Direct Entry ‘other rank’ specialists (DFSM Instrumentalists) were increased to 29 years in 2023. Further age increases require...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: In April 2020, a scheme was launched to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme is on those former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff which are not available within the Defence Forces. The re-enlistment of former personnel with the relevant skills and experience is one of the many actions being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus. These are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history, with over 2,000 individuals and entities now subject to EU restrictive measures. The current measures targeting Belarus build on the restrictive measures first introduced by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Brazil enjoy warm bilateral relations, which are strengthened by our long-standing historical links and by the large, vibrant Brazilian community resident in Ireland. Important areas of cooperation in the bilateral relationship include engagement around our shared values, cultural exchange, our strong trade and investment links, and collaboration at the multilateral level,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for raising this case with me. Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with the citizen concerned and have provided them with advice and guidance. My officials have also provided the citizen in question with the details of an NGO with expertise in this area who can provide further assistance and guidance. I hope the Deputy will appreciate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Convention on Human Rights (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland signed the European Convention on Human Rights on 4 November 1950, and ratified the Convention on 25 February 1953. In order to answer the Deputy's question, it will be necessary to consult archived records which are not immediately available. In the circumstances, it is requested that the deadline for a response be deferred. The Department's Legal Division will contact the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are three anti-malarial drugs in use by the Defence Forces, namely Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces. A Working Group reviewed the Defence Forces approach in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (28 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together. The Defence Forces currently operate the Aeronautics Defence Orbiter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system which is an unarmed platform used to conduct reconnaissance operations, i.e. non-lethal operations. Following a competitive tender process, 4 Orbiter UAV Systems were procured between 2007 and 2009 from Aeronautics Defense Systems...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 57 and 59 together. On 14 February, officials from my Department met with visiting representatives of the Polisario Front to discuss the ongoing political situation in Western Sahara. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues including the return to armed conflict in the region, engagement with the United Nations Mission for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the state is subject to strict conditions, under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952. This includes stipulations that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the FBR applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport office requested further supporting documents for one of the applicants on 23 January 2024. Further documents were subsequently received on 09 February 2024 and are currently being processed. As all 3 applications are linked, they cannot proceed to approval until all required supporting documents have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ896/24. The situation remains as outlined in that PQ.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I was pleased to announce last week new Government funding commitments of over €800 million for projects which will have a major impact across the island. This is the largest ever package of Government funding for cross-border investments, and is in addition to the near €250 million already allocated from the Shared Island Fund for more than 15 major projects and programmes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: In 2023 the Passport Service received 11,272 applications from applicants aged 80 years or older. Of these, 10,062 were online applications and 1,210 were Post Passport paper applications, with an approximate total revenue of €851,000. Based on 2023 figures, a reduction in fees would lead to a reduction in revenue of approximately €175,000. Passport fees were last updated in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024 the Government initiated an inter-state case against the Government of the United Kingdom, under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In its application to the Court the Government has sought a declaration that the relevant provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024 the Government initiated an inter-state case against the Government of the United Kingdom, under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government’s application, like all documents deposited by the parties with the Registry of the Court, is accessible to the public in accordance with arrangements determined by the Registrar, unless the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case. First, and foremost, my thoughts are naturally with the family concerned. This is an extremely tragic case and I commend the family for their resilience and determination in seeking justice. I appreciate that this has not been an easy period for them and understand their frustration with the ongoing delays. I want to assure the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Centres (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department uses a number of data centres. As the Deputy will appreciate, for national security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose details. There are no agencies under my Department's aegis.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The information sought by the Deputy is as follows. Year Projects Total Funding (Capital and Design Team Costs) €m County 2024 Printing press relocation, McKee Barracks - completion April 2024 €2.3 Dublin 2024 Refurbishment of Chief of Staff House, McKee Barracks -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under General Finance Sanction S.55/3/55, the Department of Defence can dispose of property directly to Local Authorities for the purposes of house building, road widening or the provision of public amenities. There is no provision that allows the Department to liaise with Community Groups directly regarding the sale of a property. Outside of this General Sanction, the Department is obliged...