Results 7,761-7,780 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing. The programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (13 Jun 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 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Vote 36 Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Accordingly, my Department does not allocate funding by domain. The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and...

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

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. Four new ships were delivered as part of the Naval Service Ship Replacement Programme, under the Samuel Beckett class, all were built by Babcock Marine in the United Kingdom. The contract with Babcock for the provision of the Samuel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 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: Data Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department places a high priority on information security and cyber defence. In line with best practice and guidance from Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre, my Department has implemented a defence-in-depth cybersecurity strategy that includes people, processes and market leading technologies to mitigate the risk of cyber breach as effectively as possible. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act”). The 2008 Act requires that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming to the satisfaction of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Jun 2023)

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: Departmental Bodies (1 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 (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: All Irish passport holders, as EU citizens, have the right to move and reside freely within the EU. EU citizens can travel to and live in another EU country for up to three months without any requirements other than holding a valid identity card or passport. The Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice for EU/Schengen countries reflects this fact, stating that Irish passports do...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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 and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department. Therefore, any queries from members of the Oireachtas in relation to that body, as with any...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure and ICT capacity. The importance of this was set out in the 2019 White Paper Update and reinforced in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022. The table below outlines...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following information, as at 29 May 2023, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service: Establishment 85 Strength 65* Vacancies 20 *includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers and two personnel who have applied for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. The Passport Service is committed to its obligations under the GDPR and Data Protection Acts 1988-2018, including providing information to the public on the personal data processed for the purpose of assessing passport applications, provision of customer care in relation to passport applications and the issuance of passports. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 7 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 (31 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was made on 20 January 2023. Supporting documents for this application were received by the Passport Service on 07 April and further supporting documents were received on the 19 May. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Act 1954 Section 49 states that an officer, who wishes to resign, must tender the resignation of their commission to the President in the prescribed manner. This may be done so through the usual military channels. With regards to a tender of resignation, the Military Authorities shall make a recommendation to the Minister, as to its acceptance or otherwise, having regard to the...