Results 7,201-7,220 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 215 together. The White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, resulted from a comprehensive examination of Defence requirements. It provides the defence policy framework for the period up to 2025. This policy framework is designed to be flexible and responsive given the dynamic nature of the security environment and enables the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. This important role is being developed in the context of the High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and will grow in importance as threats in the cyber space increase. The recommendation by the Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28th March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations in the Report. This included approval in principle for the establishment of a Judge-led statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Schemes (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government commits to growing the number of apprenticeships under the Action Plan for Apprenticeships 2021 – 2025. My Department is currently in the process of implementing an apprenticeship programme for eight civilian apprentices in the Defence Forces. Civilian apprenticeships provide participants with the opportunity to gain practical, on-the-job experience and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: I take it that the Deputy is referring to pensions awarded under the Army Pensions Acts 1923 to 1980 (as amended), as no Army pensions are awarded by the Courts. The Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., convened a three-day Departmental conference, "Representing the Global Island", at Dublin Castle on 12-14 January 2015. The Conference brought together more than 90 Irish Ambassadors, Consuls General and senior diplomats for meetings with individuals from across the Department, other Government Departments and the State...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs, in common with other Government Departments, is allocated administrative funding each year for “training and development and incidental expenses”. Funding for training and development includes foreign language support, course fees, professional memberships, conference and seminar fees and associated training costs. A variety of other...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs, in common with other Government Departments, is allocated administrative funding each year for “training and development and incidental expenses”. Funding for training and development includes foreign language support, course fees, professional memberships, conference and seminar fees and associated training costs. A variety of other...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs, in common with other Government Departments, is allocated administrative funding each year for “training and development and incidental expenses”. Funding for training and development includes foreign language support, course fees, professional memberships, conference and seminar fees and associated training costs. A variety of other...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs, in common with other Government Departments, is allocated administrative funding each year for “training and development and incidental expenses”. Funding for training and development includes foreign language support, course fees, professional memberships, conference and seminar fees and associated training costs. A variety of other...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department commissions outside or third party reports where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: With a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence and with the support of the Government, I recently convened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for a serious and honest conversation about the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. The Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity. Each year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the following year. Part of this planning involves a public communications strategy carried out by my Department, with a view to ensuring passport demand is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the recent incursion by Israeli security forces into Jenin. The operation was significant in scale, involving the use of live fire in a built up civilian area and resulting in numerous casualties. Roads were bulldozed, critical public infrastructure was damaged, more than 3,000 people were displaced, resulting in a significant worsening of the humanitarian situation...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are currently 20 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Ireland who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - 8 Diplomats and 12 Administrative and Technical staff. Since 1 January 2023, my Department has been notified, under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, of the departure of 3...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are currently three Irish posted staff members at the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow – the Ambassador, the Deputy Head of Mission, and one immigration officer from the Department of Justice. In 2021, there were a total of eight Irish posted staff, which included three officers from the Department of Justice. Two posted staff were expelled in April 2022 by the Russian...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Equality Issues (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland. Ireland supports efforts at international human rights fora to highlight and advance LGBTI+ rights, including through the European Union, the UN Human Rights Council, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jul 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government agreed to progress, as a priority, the recommendations in the Report of the Independent Review Group (IRG). This included the establishment of Statutory Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces and to address workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. I have...