Results 7,461-7,480 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

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

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application. Turnaround time for both renewal and first time paper applications is 8 weeks. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date. I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the substantial benefits of applying using Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy in New Delhi currently has 32 staff, which includes nine officers posted from Ireland. All of the staff recruited in India, i.e. 23 of the 32 staff, or 72% of the total, speak and write Hindi fluently. The Consulate General in Mumbai has five staff, which include two officers posted from Ireland. There are three staff recruited in India. All of these locally recruited staff,...

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

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is within its turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Bodies (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are no State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is within the current turnaround times and has not yet reached its issue by date.

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

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application. When the additional supporting documents are received the Passport Service will prioritise the application for processing.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. The local Embassy of Ireland has engaged with the relevant Ministry of Justice on the matter and has provided advice to the citizen accordingly. Should the citizen wish to pursue formal mediation through...

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

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 536,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and there are no backlogs. The Customer Service Hub is responding to an average of 15,000 queries per week. We are currently in the busiest season for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer holidays. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I noted in my previous reply, costs related to the Forum will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence. The contribution by the Department of Foreign Affairs will be made from within existing resources in Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). Expenditure related to the Forum will be in line with the Public Spending Code to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The international security environment has changed significantly over the last year. We have seen blatant disregard by Russia of international law and Europe’s collective security architecture, bringing war to the European continent. Ireland’s commitment to a rules-based international order and our traditional policy of military neutrality, do not inure us from the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are no plans to launch a new cadetship recruitment campaign for the Naval Service. The 2023 Naval Service cadetship competition was launched in March and closed on 26 April 2023. This competition resulted in 172 applications and these applications are currently being processed.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the military that the current number of vacancies for each of the requested positions are as follows: Position Vacancies Remarks Dentist Three The recommendations of the Dental Service Review are currently in the process of being implemented. Doctor Five* Medical Officer positions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: While Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Forces Medals, the awarding of medals is a matter for the military authorities. I am advised that in general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The circular to which the Deputy refers, sets out the Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments. The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The cost of food for the Defence Forces is met from Subhead A.14 of the Defence Vote, which provides for Defence Forces Uniforms, Clothing, Equipment and Catering Costs. The budget allocation for this subhead for 2023 is €16.5 million, of which €9.5 million provides for Defence Forces catering needs. This includes an increase of €1.76m on the 2022 allocation. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Costs related to the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The contribution by the Department of Defence will be fully met from within existing resources, mainly from the Subhead A.22 (Miscellaneous Expenditure) allocation provided to the Defence Vote.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. Armament Artificers in the Naval Service are currently paid Technical Pay Rate 6, while their counterparts in the Army continue to be paid Technical Pay Rate 5. This differing rate arose in 2018, due to a request from Naval Service HQ, who, at the time, and as is also the case today, were facing a significant retention issue for this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Medals (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, a commemorative medal was awarded to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded as a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in last year's 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...