Results 8,321-8,340 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have had regular engagements with my EU counterparts since the beginning of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Immediately following Hamas’s attack, I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The return of large numbers of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is placing a considerable strain on what is already a very fragile humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and is placing many vulnerable persons, including women and girls, in a precarious situation. Pakistan has long been a global example of refugee protection stewardship and Ireland calls on it to preserve this decades-long...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to personnel deploying to mission overseas, the Defence Forces still require the primary schedule of Covid-19 vaccinations for all personnel due to deploy. However, the Defence Forces have confirmed that the mandatory booster is no longer required for personnel who are (i) under 50 years of age, (ii) not immunocompromised and (iii) do not have a medical condition that puts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Defence has been advised by the Defence Forces authorities that they were not involved in any activity in the Knockfierna Hill area on 14 October 2023. The Defence Forces indicated to the Minister that a local airsoft club regularly use the area on weekends.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints system, in order to ensure accountability and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together. The report of the Independent Review Group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forceswas published on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the Report, which included the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to identify systemic failures, if any, in the complaints...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (9 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. The provision of diplomatic clearance to land...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (9 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. It is the longstanding policy of the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 868,000 passports to date this year and is meeting all of its target turnaround times. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, following a request by Jordan and Mauritania in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. This emergency special session was first convened in 1997 in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (8 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Currently the Air Corps have twenty six (26) aircraft in service comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft. The fixed wing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in very regular phone contact with a number of Irish citizens in Gaza, including the family in question. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance and will continue to do so. We are engaging with local authorities and with EU and international partners to support Irish citizens to exit from Gaza when that...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Artificial Intelligence (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department's use of AI is grounded in its Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Interim Policy. The Department is actively exploring the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and the various policy considerations that arise.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Passport Services (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97, 99, 101 and 107 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 An Taoiseach: Military Aircraft (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have unreservedly condemned the attack by Hamas on Israel. I am also deeply concerned at the unfolding situation in Gaza. I have made it clear that, under international law, Israel has a right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done within the parameters of international humanitarian law. In relation to the use of Shannon airport, military aircraft of other states are...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is in very regular contact with a number of Irish citizens in the region, including with a group of citizens wishing to leave Gaza. We are liaising with all relevant authorities in respect of the individual cases and we are coordinating with EU other international partners to support Irish citizens to exit from Gaza when that becomes possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Human Resources Division of my Department are in direct contact with the member of staff in question. Human Resources will work with the person concerned to confirm their correct pay point, and will advise the National Shared Services Office should any revision of pay be required.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: United Nations (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is the principal intergovernmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights globally, and for addressing violations of human rights and human rights situations of concern. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading UN entity on human rights, mandated to promote...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Staff (7 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Oversight of special advisers and office holders under Section 19 of the Ethics in Public Acts 1995 and 2001 is the responsibility of the Standards in Public Office Commission. Accountable issues in relation to special advisers and office holders are defined in declarations to be made under the Acts. There is no obligation on a special adviser to furnish a nil statement where no...