Results 7,701-7,720 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 173 together. My Department appoints First Secretaries from internal, interdepartmental, and open panels in an equal ratio. In relation to the interdepartmental and open panels administered by the Public Appointments Service and due to expire in November 2023, my Department has requested the assignment of candidates from these panels to fill...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Island of Ireland Peace Park, which marks the involvement of soldiers from this island in the Battle of Messines, is an important symbol of reconciliation and remembrance. The Peace Park was officially opened on 11 November 1998 by then President of Ireland Mary McAleese together with the late Queen Elizabeth II, and King Albert II of Belgium. The Mayor of Messines is taking the lead...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has returned all relevant supporting documentation to the applicant, including the Certificate of Naturalisation and Birth Certificate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by recent policy and legislative initiatives of the Israeli Government regarding settlements. Settlements are illegal under international law and Israel must not make any provision to advance settlement authorisation and development. These concerns are widely held by the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, which, in February of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (13 Jun 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. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 137 together. In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. The Forum will take place in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland currently has over 80 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers vital support to the Department of Foreign Affairs across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. The services provided by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 169 together. Ireland has been clear in its condemnation of the repression of protests by the Iranian authorities, as well as the longstanding concerns about human rights in Iran. We have repeatedly called on Iran to respect the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. We have raised our concerns directly with the Iranian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I launched the Shared Island Civic Society Fund earlier this year to promote practical North South cooperation and engagement across a range of sectors and themes, consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. The Fund forms part of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative – which I established in 2020 – and builds on all of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 30 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 77/247, which included a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ/the Court) to render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territory since 1967. Ireland voted in favour of this resolution, which was supported by 87 UN Member States. In February,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department complies with the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The Department endeavours to ensure that its video content is accessible to as many people as possible, and we are committed to providing Departmental videos with closed captioning and/or subtitling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am committed to developing inclusivity, building diversity and ensuring equal respect and opportunity for every member of staff, at home and abroad. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs has zero tolerance for any instances of discrimination that could arise on the basis of race. My Department’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy recognises the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which 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 three generations and issued by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 146 and 165 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 (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 147 together. With regard to the specific application about which the Deputies have enquired, supporting documentation for this application was most recently received on 31 May 2023. Turnaround time for applications for which further supporting documents have been submitted is 15 working days. This application is within the current turnaround time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for asking this question about the very important work that the Department is undertaking to mitigate climate change. The Management Board of the Department published the Climate Action Roadmap on 21stMarch 2023. The Deputy can view the document here: Climate-Action-Roadmap-DFA-2023.pdf. The headline targets in this Roadmap commit the Department to reducing Green House...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which 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 (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, an online application was made on 29 April 2023. The Passport Service currently has no record to show that documentation, which is required to support the application, has been submitted for the application. In the absence of this documentation, this application cannot be processed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 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 (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 6th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens...