Results 8,041-8,060 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Mexico share excellent and long-standing bilateral relations, further strengthened since the launch of Ireland's Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean in February 2022. An important aspect of the work of the Embassy of Ireland is engagement with each of the country's 31 constituent states outside the federal capital, Mexico City. Cancun is situated in the state of Quintana...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the incident referred to by the Deputy and extend my condolences to the family. As I noted in my statement on 9 May, the killing of civilians, including children, is never acceptable. These acts risk escalating an already tense situation and leading to further violence. I call on the parties to de-escalate and refrain from provocative acts. Ireland has repeatedly expressed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 17 April 2023. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on civilians. Hundreds have been killed, and thousands injured. Residents in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan are facing shortages of food, water, medicine and other necessities. It is vital that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. It is also vital to have a durable ceasefire. Ireland fully supports mediation efforts by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA and/or other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 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: Public Procurement Contracts (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces School of Music provides musical support to Irish State and Defence Forces ceremonial events. It also supports a wide range of local and national civilian and sporting events, in addition to the performance of a schools educational programme at primary and secondary level. The Military Authorities have advised that one Instrument was purchased during the period 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 193 together. 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 in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements, as assigned by Government. The two (2) CASA CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft operated by the Air Corps...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA and/or other Air Corps aircraft may be used. The Learjet is currently approaching its natural end of life. Based on current serviceability issues, discontinuation of manufacturer support and limited part availability...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that my officials and the Defence Forces have received a request from the organisers of this event for support in relation to its 2023 air display and that the matter is currently under consideration. Requests for permission to land aircraft at Casement Aerodrome are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and permission may be granted, subject to operational, security and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Air Corps is not currently equipped to monitor and communicate with aircraft overflying Irish airspace, military or otherwise and irrespective of whether the transponder is switched on or not. However, on a routine basis the Air Corps monitors and communicates with foreign military aircraft where such aircraft are flying in the airspace in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance. The Air Corps...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Capability equipment requirements are kept under on-going review in the light of present and expected operational needs. The White Paper on Defence provides...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 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. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces, on a non-statutory basis initially, in line with one of the thirteen recommendations of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces published on March 28th. The Government moved quickly to establish the Body, making the following appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are a range of allowances available to Defence Forces members on overseas deployments. The two most common are Overseas Peace Support Allowance (OPSA) and Overseas Armed Peace Support Allowance (OAPSA). Overseas and Armed Peace Support allowances are paid along with the pay of the members of the Permanent Defence Force serving overseas and payment is commenced following...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Despite the best efforts of my Department and the Defence Forces, it hasn't been possible to provide the information requested within the given timeframe. However, the information requested is being collated and I will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as the information has been fully complied.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Directives (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As Minister of Defence, my Department has responsibility for transposing the new Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive. This directive creates a framework for EU member states in ensuring that critical entities are able to prevent, resist, absorb and recover from disruptive incidents, whether they are caused by natural hazards, accidents, terrorism, insider threats, or public health...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. 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. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: In the context of the new Critical Entities Resilience Directive for which my Department has responsibility, my Department engages with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to building resilience and protection of Ireland’s energy infrastructure. My Department is also working with relevant Departments, particularly the Department of...