Results 6,521-6,540 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together. The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers. The majority of Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not engaged the services of the company referred to by the Deputy from 1st January 2022 to date.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Aid (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 18 October, following a discussion I had with the Commissioner General of UNRWA on October 16th, I announced additional core funding of €10 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The Agency provides essential services to 5.7 million Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Even before the current conflict 80% of the population of Gaza...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been active in the EU in calling for adherence to international law, the protection of civilians, and a humanitarian ceasefire. I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I underlined the importance of principled and collective...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Aid (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 9 October, the European Commission stated that it would not immediately suspend its package of financial assistance to Occupied Palestinian Territories. This followed an earlier announcement by the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, that the Commission was putting its full development portfolio for Palestinians under review and that all payments...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department raises issues of concern directly with the Embassy where appropriate. Following the brutal and horrifying attack by Hamas on October 7, I spoke to the Ambassador of Israel in Dublin to express my deep concern and sadness at the scenes in Israel. I also wrote to the Israeli Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) determined that the Court may exercise its jurisdiction over certain international crimes, including war crimes, committed in Palestine since June 2014, and that the scope of its territorial jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Shortly afterwards, the then ICC Prosecutor, Fatou...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 30 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 77/247, which included a request to the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Ireland voted in favour of this resolution, which was supported by 87 UN Member States. ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 128 to 130, inclusive, together. My Department does not currently hold any contracts with the companies referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Meetings (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together. I met Ambassador Mallard of New Zealand and Ambassador Gray of Australia on 27 June. Both Ambassadors and their teams are in regular contact with my Department on a range of issues including follow up to bilateral consultations held with each country earlier this year. As set out in the recently relaunched Asia Pacific Strategy, the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Consular Services (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC is currently running a recruitment campaign for the role of Facilities Officer. As the process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Birth Registration (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department continues to be in very regular contact with a number of Irish citizens registered with us in Gaza and I am acutely aware of their situation. Staff in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, our Representative Office in Ramallah and Consular Officials in Dublin continue to monitor the situation and the welfare of citizens closely. My officials are in constant communication with...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Birth Registration (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department continues to be in daily contact with a number of Irish citizens registered with us in Gaza and I am acutely aware of their situation. Staff in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, our Representative Office in Ramallah and Consular Officials in Dublin continue to monitor the situation and the welfare of citizens closely. My officials are in constant communication with the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a long-standing commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting two-State solution. A two-State solution based on international law and internationally agreed parameters represents the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace. Since 7 October, I have been engaged with my European Union counterparts and regional...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Avoiding a wider escalation of this conflict is a key focus of the urgent engagement that I have been undertaking in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I strongly urge all relevant actors to step back from any further escalation and I have taken careful note of the statement made last Friday by the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In line with the National AI strategy, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. I have been advised by OGCIO that they have deployed AI powered security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces have almost 500 personnel serving between the three UN missions in the region – United Nations Interim Force Lebanon, UNIFIL (319), United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF (136) and United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation UNTSO (13). The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The target for payment of pension is normally the next available payroll conditional on receipt of all necessary supporting documentation and resolution of any queries arising therefrom. Military pensions are paid monthly and any amendments to the payroll must adhere to strict payroll monthly closedown deadlines. If these monthly deadlines are not met, the pension cannot commence until the...