Results 7,421-7,440 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is greatly disappointing that almost 18 months on from the last Assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked. As a result, the North South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. It is clear from my contacts in Northern Ireland that there is deep frustration at this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland enjoys good diplomatic relations with the state of Qatar. Ambassador Milton in Abu Dhabi is accredited to Qatar, and presented her credentials to the Emir in May 2023. Ambassador Al Attiyah, based in London, represents Qatar in Ireland, and presented his credentials to President Higgins in December 2022. The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs visited Dublin in February...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have spoken twice in recent weeks to the Prime and Foreign Minister of Qatar in relation to the current crisis in the Middle East, and in particular the position of Irish citizens in Gaza, as well as the hostages being held by Hamas. I am grateful for the help of Qatar in this respect, particularly in relation to the case of Emily Hand. The Taoiseach also met with the Prime and Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: White Papers (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The mission of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to serve the Irish people, promote their values and advance their prosperity and interests abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement. My Department has published two White Papers from 2008 to date. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service within my Department operates two public offices, one at Knockmaun House, Mount St Lower in Dublin 2 and the second at the South Mall in Cork City. There have been no additional offices opened over the past three years. There are currently no plans to open any further passport offices. The Passport Online service which was introduced in 2017 offers Irish citizens the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department commissioned a number of consultancies since 2011, the reports of which were not published externally and the details of which are currently being collated by officials of my Department. Officials of my Department have informed me that the delivery of an accurate and complete response to this question necessitates more time and I wish to assure the Deputy that a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Cooperation with regional arrangements is integral to the work of the UN. This is reflected in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which recognises the role that regional arrangements and agencies may have in dealing with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Regional arrangements may be deployed for a wide range of activities, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 20 March 2003, the Dáil adopted a motion on the invasion of Iraq, which reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the United Nations as the guarantor of collective global security and the appropriate forum for the resolution of disputes threatening international peace and security. The motion further recalled Ireland’s statement as a member of the Security Council on the adoption...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs uses public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of advertising costs. As with other Government Departments, the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs uses public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of advertising costs. As with other Government Departments, the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs uses public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of advertising costs. As with other Government Departments, the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The so-called "triple lock" mechanism sets out the requirements for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These requirements are provided for in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended. The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 also provides for a series of other circumstances...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Papers (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The current White Paper on Defence, which was approved by the Government in July 2015, provides the strategic and comprehensive defence policy framework for the period up to 2025. The previous White Paper on Defence, which was published in 2000, was the first such White Paper on defence in the history of this State. In 2013, given the passage of time and significant changes in the security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available, but my Department is retrieving and collating the information requested and I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 to 273, inclusive, together. The following table sets out the amounts spent by my Department in 2021, 2022 and up to 28 November 2023 on advertisements with the specified companies. X (formerly Twitter) Facebook Instagram Google 2021 €9,816.56 Nil Nil Nil...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The payment is not subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for the applications have been received. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. These applications are within their turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard the specific application referred to by the Deputy, the Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department is committed to making every effort to pay our suppliers promptly. Where this does not happen within the prescribed timeframe, the creditor is entitled to late payment interest and automatic compensation. The amount paid in late payment interest and compensation in respect of late payments for good and services provided to the Department for each of the years 2016 to 2023 is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not been required to transpose any EU Directives over the past 5 years.