Results 4,981-5,000 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The appointment of full-time specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. Eight positions in Beijing, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Toronto and Sao Paulo have been filled to date in a close partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Customer Service Hub is available to answer applicants’ questions by phone or webchat, Monday to Friday from 9am – 4.30pm. Agents can be contacted at 01 671 1633 (Passports) or 01 568 3331 (Foreign Birth Registration) or via the WebChat service. The Customer Service Hub handled over 615,000 queries in 2023. Currently, 100% of calls to the Customer Service Hub are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Feb 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. In 2023, over 1 million applications were received and over 950,000 passports were issued. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 143,400 passports. There are currently over 143,600 passport applications in the system. However, 54% of these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 15 February 2024, I met with the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, in Dublin to discuss the organisation’s role in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the current conflict in the Middle East. During this meeting, I conveyed Ireland’s deep appreciation for the invaluable humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, following the establishment of the LDA in September 2018, the Government decided that two Defence properties would transfer to the LDA, one of which is the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar. Officials in my Department have worked with the Chief State Solicitor's Office as a priority matter to finalise pre-contract matters, relating to Title and other formalities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been advised by the military authorities that the aircraft referred to by the Deputy requested permission to land in Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel in September 2004. I am advised that the records maintained by the Air Corps noted that the craft landed in Casement Aerodrome on 10 September 2004, departed shortly after arrival and returned later that day with a final...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been a member of Partnership for Peace (PfP) since 1999, at which time the Government and Dáil Éireann approved Ireland’s participation, with the foremost priority for participation being cooperation in peacekeeping. Ireland's participation is tailored so that it reflects our national priorities, and is fully consistent with Ireland’s policy of military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can advise the Deputy that the following significant capital projects are currently underway at Casement Aerodrome and Haulbowline Naval Base, at stages ranging from design planning to construction, representing a total estimated value of over €47 million: Project Status Casement Aerodrome Casement Aerodrome: Military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is key feature of the recently published Strategic Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces routinely monitor foreign vessels with both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, as well as remote monitoring on a 24/7 basis from the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline. It should be noted that foreign vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The table below details the number of personnel who were discharged, by rank and by year, between 2019 and 2023, as requested. The military authorities have advised that it is not possible to provide the requested detail on the length of service for each individual as this information is not readily available. Discharges from Permanent Defence Forces - 2019 to 2023 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under Section 3(1) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, a contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, be despatched for service outside the State for the purpose of filling appointments or postings (S.3(1)(a)) and conducting or participating in training (S.3(1)(b)). Dáil Éireann approval is not required...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. Ireland has been a member of Partnership for Peace (PfP) since 1999, at which time the Government and Dáil Éireann approved Ireland’s participation, with the foremost priority for participation being cooperation in peacekeeping. Ireland's participation is tailored so that it reflects our national priorities, and is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Feb 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: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The current strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of end of December 2023 is as follows: Service Total Effective Personnel Army Reserve 1,323 Naval Service Reserve 84 First Line Reserve 282 In terms of recruitment and retention measures for the RDF, a long-term regeneration plan is being...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: In my statement to the Dáil on 22 November, I asked my officials in the Department of Defence to prepare legislative proposals without delay that would govern the future overseas deployments of our Defence Forces. Work on the preparation of those legislative proposals has commenced, with a view to proposals being brought to Government in due course. As the Deputy will be aware, the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, has been attentive to the needs of An Post. He and the Government have worked over the past two or three years to support An Post through a variety of funding approaches. An Post is responsible for operational planning and change of systems. I think the Deputy indicated it will either review or make sure the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has made very fair points about communication. There has been a ramping up in respect of the community engagement teams, additionality and additional resources. The scale of the challenge is enormous and that has to be recognised as well. In January alone, over 2,000 people sought international protection in the country. That is double the average of last year. We have 27,000...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government has allocated unprecedented funding for inner city renewal across a range of funding, including housing, city centre infrastructure and regeneration. Dublin City Council is the key agency here and is responsible for its own housing stock and regenerating many of the apartment complexes the Deputy has spoken about. In many other cities, regeneration of various apartment blocks...