Results 8,321-8,340 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Officials from my Department wrote to Tipperary County Council offering to transfer the property in question for a nominal sum, having regard to its central location in Nenagh and its historical ties to the town. However, the Council declined the offer. My officials are available to discuss the matter further with Tipperary County Council as the initial offer still stands.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. A midterm review of the Plan was recently completed by my Department and the Defence Forces to ensure the Plan continues to reflect current operational requirements. In respect of Stephens Barracks,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: As part of my visit to Kilkenny Barracks, I met with the aforementioned Squash Club and subsequently directed that the necessary building works to bring the building up to the required standard be included in the Defence Forces delegated building programme for 2023. I am advised that my Department is awaiting a timeframe for the procurement and completion of these works. Upon receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are 7 Civilian Employees in Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny. For operational and security reasons, details of the numbers and rank of Defence Forces personnel located at military installations cannot be disclosed. It should be noted however that the number of personnel stationed at a particular location will frequently vary on an on-going basis, as it is a normal operational feature for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (25 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department had no contracts with KPMG in the past 12 months.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (20 Apr 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 Consultations (20 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department commissions consultancy services where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary. External expertise has informed, and continues to inform, my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our services to our citizens in a transparent and accountable...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (20 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below provides details of each time my Department awarded contracts for the services of consultants in 2022, the purpose of each consultancy and the value of each contract. Watercraft Safety Consultancy in relation to Passenger Boat Licences in Civil Defence Units in various Local Authorities across the country. €12,240 ICT Consultancy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Citizens' Assembly (20 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 159, inclusive, together. Against the background of the changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe, which calls for consideration of the State’s approach international security issues, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (19 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Passport fees are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 259/2019 Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations. Although there is no provision to waive the fee for children who are in foster care, the Passport Service has a dedicated team that deals with passport applications made on their behalf. This ensures that such applications are processed with due care and attention given their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Register Office (19 Apr 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: Passport Services (19 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was received by the Passport Service on 7 November 2022. The turnaround time for paper based applications is 8 weeks. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 20 December 2022. Further supporting documents were received by the Passport Service on 10 March...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. The changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe calls for consideration of the State’s approach to international security policy issues. Against this backdrop, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Irish citizens travelling or living overseas are encouraged to voluntarily register their contact details using the Citizens' Registration platform of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but there is no requirement to do so.  No authoritative records are maintained by Government of the number of Irish citizens living in any given place abroad. Irish passports can be renewed from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The sanctions adopted in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. A number of Iranian individuals and entities are subject to restrictive measures in relation to the use of Iranian drones in Russian aggression...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 126, 148, 151, 152 and 153 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: Foreign Policy (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The escalation in violence, displacement of people and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation are appalling. During our time on the United Nations Security Council and through our bilateral and EU engagement, including at the Human Rights Council, Ireland has consistently condemned the coup, calling for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 121, inclusive, together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. Over 322,000 passports have been issued to date in 2023. The busy season for passports in 2023 is underway, and demand forecasts indicate that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the "2008 Act"). Under the 2008 Act, a passport cannot be issued to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person and that the person is an Irish citizen. First time applicants for passports are required to submit their full original civil birth certificate,...