Results 7,081-7,100 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Security (27 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: With a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, I recently convened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. This was the first time the State has ever embarked on a national conversation on security and defence issues in this manner. The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for a discussion about the current...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: As part of our relationship and engagement with Colombia, Ireland actively supports human rights defenders, indigenous communities and the protection of civil society space, including in the context of our long-standing support to peacebuilding in the country. Addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s Peace Process, and we remain...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. As I have stated repeatedly in this House, I would, in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The significant developments in Nagorno-Karabakh are a matter of serious concern to Ireland and our EU partners, and our priority remains the humanitarian situation on the ground. On 18 September, we were encouraged by the simultaneous passage of humanitarian supplies from Armenia via the Lachin corridor and from Azerbaijan via Aghdam into Nagorno-Karabakh. However, as you will be aware, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance within the remit of our Consular Assistance Charter which is available on the department's website: In the event that an Irish citizen becomes sick or injured abroad, consular assistance in provided in line with the following published guidance: .

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. In the absence of progress towards a two-State solution,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill received Royal Assent on 18 September. Since this Bill was introduced at Westminster in May 2022, the Government, together with all the main political parties in Northern Ireland, victims and their representatives, church leaders and civic society, have consistently expressed strong opposition to the approach to dealing with the past which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Regulatory and Poverty Impact Assessments (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Two Bills were prepared by my Department in the 33rd Dáil to date. The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union Consequential Provisions Act 2020 (no. 23 of 2020) was enacted on 10 December 2020. The Act consists of 22 Parts under the remits of Ministers responsible for 11 different Government Departments, 20 of which have been commenced. While no formal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Colombia enjoy excellent, long-standing relations across a range of areas and we maintain close contact with the Colombian Government across all levels. The Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá has very regular contact with interlocutors from the Colombian Government on all areas of our bilateral relationship, while officials in my Department also maintain close contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities advise that all decisions relating to referrals for medical opinions of personnel are based on clinical requirements and the medical facts of individual cases. Personnel may elect to undertake an eye test under the PRSI scheme where their contribution class and history permit.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Regulatory and Poverty Impact Assessments (26 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Bills from my Department are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by the Department which has been approved by Government. Since the commencement of the 33rd Dáil to-date my Department has published one Bill entitled the ‘Civil Defence Bill 2023’. The Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) associated with this Bill was entitled...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (21 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are no State, semi-State, or other public bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (21 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: This is a NIL return for the Department of Defence. No chief executive of a State or other public body under the aegis of my Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body for the years in question.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Fire Stations (21 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have confirmed that proposals on the future of the Fire Service in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp have been under consideration. No decision has been made . I understand that a report, on the outcome of those deliberations, will be submitted to me in due course for my consideration. On this basis, it is not appropriate to comment further on this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides grants from Vote 27 to NGOs to implement programmes and projects in countries classified by the OECD as eligible for overseas development assistance, as well as for global citizenship education in Ireland. The OECD has commended Ireland for the quality of our NGO partnerships as a “hallmark of Ireland's development cooperation”. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (20 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is no international regulation specifically governing munitions containing depleted uranium. However, general rules of international humanitarian law prohibit weapons, means or methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering, which have indiscriminate effects or which cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department ensures that there are adequate resources assigned to the Passport Service in order to service queries from customers in both Irish and English. There are currently a number of officers working in the Customer Service Hub and on the public counter of the Passport Service who are assigned to engage with customers who wish to communicate in Irish. These officers are recruited...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (20 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Implementation of the European Accessibility Act will benefit citizens with accessibility needs, including persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as creating opportunities for Irish and European businesses trading in accessible goods and services. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is awaiting the transposition of Directive 2019/882 by the Minister for Children,...