Results 5,781-5,800 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that an effective governance framework is in place to enable my Department to meet its obligations under data protection legislation. This governance framework was adopted in accordance with the Department’s obligations under the GDPR. Sharing of personal data with other public sector bodies is for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Personal data...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated on several occasions in this House, the Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward. Ireland’s resolute opposition to illegal Israeli settlements is firmly grounded in international law. To adopt a unilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Poland enjoy a strong bilateral relationship. Although I do not currently have a scheduled visit to Poland in the first quarter of this year, I look forward to engaging with my new Polish counterpart, Foreign Minister Sikorski, at meetings in Brussels and exploring further opportunities, including through visits, to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I visited London on 13 December for a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. This was my first meeting with the British Foreign Secretary since his appointment in November 2023. As such, it represented an important opportunity to discuss relations between our countries, and to share views on a wide range of foreign policy issues including the crisis in the Middle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy, my Department aims to further deepen bilateral relations with South East Asia, and particularly with Singapore in light of its significant global and regional role. The bilateral relationship between Singapore and Ireland is strong and growing. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland currently has over 80 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers key support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens and the Government in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. These appointments are honorary in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jan 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. 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 33,000 passports. The Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, provides that: “The establishment of diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent.” Ireland became a state party to the Vienna Convention in 1967 and its provisions were given the force of law in the State by the Diplomatic Relations and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Sanctions (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland implements United Nations sanctions, as adopted by the United Nations Security Council, and EU restrictive measures adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The sanctions adopted in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Overall, the sanctions measures introduced include extensive import and export...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Sanctions (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: EU sanctions have a direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and are legally binding on all natural and legal persons. Ireland has strongly supported sanctions in response to Russia’s unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, while also consistently emphasising the importance of effective implementation. Twelve packages of sanctions have been agreed by the EU to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of reports of unrest in parts of Pakistan, including the south-western province of Balochistan, which has witnessed violent insurgencies and ethnic conflict in recent years. Ireland engages regularly with Pakistan on political and human rights issues in the country, at both bilateral and multilateral level. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs held bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: In line with our commitments under the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, Ireland continues to reiterate the international humanitarian law obligations upon all actors to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, and to take all feasible precautions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Quality (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: My officials have been advised by the military authorities and has been advised that no Air Quality investigations were carried out at Main Technical Stores in Casement Aerodrome prior to the 2017 investigation referenced by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I assume the Deputy is referring to recent media reports in this regard. The Naval Service and Air Corps carry out ongoing Maritime Defence and Security Operations within Irish territorial waters and the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. These operations have not observed any submarine activity in the vicinity of Cork Harbour as referenced by the Deputy. International law, in particular...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Safety (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the capabilities of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. I am advised that the procurement process for a multi-beam sonar system for the P60 class of vessels is well advanced and is currently at the tender...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the capability...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards, for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These requirements are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority, as Minister for Defence, is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the capability...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to the Commission’s report, was to commence planning for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces. Action 28, of the Strategic Framework, published on 26 September last, stipulated that the civil-military management policy position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive within the Defence...