Results 8,121-8,140 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm to the Deputy that all Irish citizens, including those who are naturalised Irish citizens, can as a matter of policy avail of consular assistance and services from Irish embassies and consulates abroad. Irish citizens may also request consular support from any other EU member state in a country where there is no Irish representation, as per the EU Consular Protection Directive.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently undertaking a major review of its property footprint in Washington and London. The review is anchored in the Government’s Global Ireland initiative which commits to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. The projects have been recognised as Strategic Investment Priorities under the National Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (3 May 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: Consular Services (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, has been providing assistance to the citizen’s family - notwithstanding the Indian authorities’ position that this is a UK consular case. Consular officers in my Department are in regular contact with the family, and I am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 May 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 Defence: Departmental Expenditure (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm to the Deputy that there has been no expenditure incurred in terms of capital works in relation to Columb Barracks, Mullingar. As the Deputy will be aware, there are several community groups availing of the premises at no cost. The Department pays electricity bills, security fees and other costs. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reports (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that my Department has not commissioned such a report. The determination of such matters is primarily a matter for the planning authority, who are the authority responsible for determining Protected buildings under the planning code.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel is a military installation and home to the air component of the Permanent Defence Force. The aerodrome facilitates training and operations by Air Corps aircraft, including the operation of the Ministerial Air Transport Service, the Garda Air Support Unit, fishery protection patrols, air ambulance missions etc. The Air Corps is responsible for the management...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I plan to attend a meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Brussels later this month. This will provide the opportunity to meet as many of my colleagues as possible, including my Italian counterpart. While I have no plans to formally meet with the Italian Minister for Defence, I would welcome an opportunity for a bi-lateral with him or any of my EU counterparts on the margins of the EU Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 to 71, inclusive, 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 Consultative Forum will take place over four full days in three different locations; on 22 June at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded Defence Forces Medals. The award of Service Medals for both Officers and Non Commissioned Officers and Privates is as follows: 1. DFR A9 Paragraph 4a provides that the qualifying service for the award of the Service Medal to an officershall be satisfactory and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (3 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the request is under consideration in my Department and in that context the Deputy may wish to note that a similar request was also received from another Club recently in respect of the same lands.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is a very fair point. As we move online and increase the digitalisation agenda, we should always look out for those who are not as efficient online or who find it very difficult. I will ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who has responsibility for local authorities to follow up on that. Local authorities and councillors should also...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Minister inherited a difficult and challenging situation in An Bord Pleanála. Resources have been allocated to increase staffing, to the order of 60% of an increase. The challenge when one wishes to rapidly increase human resource capacity is to recruit at the right pace and with the right quality. In the planning area, like everywhere else and every other sector, there is a...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have significantly increased investment in wastewater treatment plants since the Government was formed. Investment in wastewater treatment has been consistent over the years. I do not have the specific data on the progress of the one the Deputy identified in Cavan. The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and his predecessor,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, can supply a timeline in regard to that. The bottom line is that the Government has resources and has allocated substantial resources to deal with the cost of living to try to help people deal with what have been exceptional increases in the cost of living due to the war in Ukraine and energy crisis. I take the Deputy's point on the need to reduce costs and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In terms of age more generally, there needs to be more reflection on the regulatory framework governing age in terms of qualifications for things like driving because chronological age does not correspond to medical fitness or health. Someone could be aged 72 or 73 and be very fit, while someone who is aged 55 could be very unfit. Deputy Kenny is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am a bit off it yet. I read recently that lifespan in Ireland has increased by 25 years over the past 100 years. Otto von Bismarck introduced a retirement age of 65, thinking that there would be no one alive at 65 and, therefore, pensions would not be a significant cost. We are now in a situation whereby there are people aged 75 doing marathons. We will stick to bus drivers for the time...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, it is excellent infrastructure. It is designed to facilitate the hordes of Waterford supporters who will come to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday to play Cork. It will mean a faster slipstream into the Jack Lynch tunnel, aptly named after one of our greatest hurlers and a man who won six all-Irelands in a row. Inflation happens and costs go up. There is no doubt that piece...