Results 7,621-7,640 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. One of the key...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that we have placed significant capital investment in refurbishing McKee Barracks, including the refurbishment and upgrade of Block H, McKee barracks which was shortlisted for an RIAI award. This projects highlight not only the Department’s commitment to providing high quality accommodation to service personnel, but also our recognition of the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is committed to a range of actions to address key issues identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces. The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, brings together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government has recently approved the drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023. It is intended that this Bill will provide for various amendments to be made to the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015, one of which will be to provide for the protection of the term “Óglaigh na hÉireann”. This proposed amendment reflects the central aim of the Private Member’s Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Diplomatic Representation (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together. The White Paper on Defence recognised the need for the Department of Defence to continue to engage in developing and deepening bilateral relations with potential like-minded partners to secure Ireland’s position in current and future international crisis management operations. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 11 January 2024, there are 329 Defence Forces Personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. In each of the missions located in the Middle East (UNIFIL, UNDOF & UNTSO), Defence Forces’ personnel comply fully with all UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not receive the letter to which the Deputy refers but I am aware of a statement issued by the Women of Honour at that time. I have met the Women of Honour and their legal representatives on a number of occasions, the most recent being on 14th December last. In relation to correspondence issued from my office of 2 November, 2023, to the legal representatives of the Women of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to members of the Defence Forces. Action 28, of the Strategic Framework, published on 26 September last, stipulated that the civil-military management policy position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive within the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) contained a number of recommendations on the Reserve Defence Force. Two recommendations from the report, denoted as ‘Early Actions’, related to the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) and the development of a Regeneration Plan for the Reserve. The ORA has been established and is currently staffed by 7...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Properties (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Government has decided that the site at Columb Barracks, Mullingar will transfer to the LDA. My Department has completed all the pre-contract paperwork to facilitate the transfer of the site as soon as the LDA is ready to accept the site.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sustained, high-level engagement with the United States administration remains a priority for the Government. This engagement is underpinned by a steady rhythm of high level visits in both directions. Last year, there were over 20 visits to the US by Irish Ministers, in addition to a significant number of visits to Ireland by senior figures in the US administration and in Congress, and of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Question Heading for question(s) 104 (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online. The Passport Service rolled out Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Question Heading for question(s) 105 (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Question Heading for question(s) 106 (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The running costs for the Embassies of Ireland in London, Paris and Washington DC for 2022 and 2023 are provided in tabular form below. Embassy 2022 2023 London €4.5m €5.5m Paris €2.6m €2.7m Washington DC €1.8m €2.4m

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Question Heading for question(s) 107 (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly with a view to resolving the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The table below contains a schedule of official trips made by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2023, including the purpose of the trip, dates and locations.In the time available, it has not been possible to compile full details of flight costs and hotel costs for the Tánaiste and accompanying delegations, but this information will be provided directly to the Deputy...