Results 8,561-8,580 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (23 Mar 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 to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government’s approach to legacy and reconciliation in Northern Ireland has always been that it should be victim-centred, with the starting point the approach agreed by both Governments and the Executive parties in the Stormont House Agreement, further endorsed in the Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach Agreements. The UK's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. Their vote in last May's Assembly elections must be respected so that the political leadership and institutions required to address the issues facing communities and families can be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 15 June 2021, the Hungarian Parliament passed a law imposing multiple prohibitions on the promotion or portrayal to persons under the age of 18 of homosexuality, sex reassignment, and gender identities that do not correspond to the sex assigned at birth. Following the law’s introduction, Ireland was one of 18 EU Member States to sign a joint declaration criticising the measure and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The passport service is successfully meeting the current high demand. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The current processing times are as follows: Online simple adult renewal - 10 working days Online child/complex adult renewal - 15 working days Online first time application, adult or child - 20 working days Post Passport via An Post, adult or child...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward. We have, however, supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers. The majority of Passport Service operations take place at the newly expanded Balbriggan Campus...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Travel (22 Mar 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 235 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: To answer the Deputy's question, the modalities of engagement with the upcoming German-led EU Battlegroup, and any and all ancillary aspects arising from that, remain under discussion within Military Management and within my Department. Any decision on which allowances, if any, will apply, will await the outcome of the civil-military determinations in that regard.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU’s Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, provides training to Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel on the territory of EU Member States. It is important to note that while the Government Decision provides for the deployment of up to thirty personnel at any given time, the nature of the mission is such that there are likely to be considerable periods during its two-year...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information as requested. While data is recorded on a voluntary basis upon assignment, and details of Department-funded training is recorded, officers are not obliged to declare their qualifications. However, from the information available, officers in the Department hold qualifications across a range of disciplines and at various levels up...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is committed to providing an excellent and proactive Learning & Development service to all officers aligned with our strategic objectives, which values staff and develops their careers in a supportive environment to achieve success. Based on the information available, the number of training interventions per grade is outlined in the table below. It should be noted by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: They continue to be endorsed by Sinn Féin. I respectfully put it to the Deputy that there is an issue which Sinn Féin needs to deal with, because it undermines its credibility to attack the British Government for its failure in respect of some security issues and then for victims to still not get answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland completed its term on the UN Security Council at the end of 2022. During the term, the Middle East peace process was a key priority for Ireland. The United Nations Security Council discusses the situation monthly, and Ireland used these opportunities to underscore the importance we attach to the effort to secure a just...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am conscious that there is general consensus in the House about having a two-state solution and of the concern that Members have about this particular Israeli Government, with its very-far-right members who are articulating-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----outrageous and racist comments in respect of Palestinians which, in themselves, represent an incitement to attacks on Palestinians and almost an endorsement of what happened in Huwara with the appalling attacks on Palestinian citizens there. The strategic approach has to involve working with those in the neighbourhood in the first instance who are endeavouring to de-escalate and to see...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland plays a leadership role at European Union level in taking a consistent, clear, firm position on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. I work closely with EU partners to ensure that the Israeli and Palestinian conflict remains central to the EU's foreign policy. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January, EU foreign ministers had an exchange with the Palestinian...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Haughey's questions, again we have been strong and robust in our exchanges with the UK Government in respect of this legacy Bill. We think it is a wrong thing to do; it has no agreement within Northern Ireland. I met with victims who are extremely angry about it and are very concerned about its implications. I will marry Deputy Haughey's question with that of Deputy Howlin...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is a founding member but this seems to be pandering to an election mandate, manifesto and so on. It shows significant disregard of the plight and the wishes of victims in Northern Ireland in respect of their having the capacity to have investigations into their loved ones carried out and closure brought to their situations. To answer Deputy Haughey's question, we will continue to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the Omagh bombing, we have to keep on saying that what happened in Omagh was an unspeakable act of barbarity and cruelty. The terrorists who carried the bombing out had no sense of any humanity and they displayed a complete and shocking disregard for human life. We welcome the announcement of the UK that it intends to hold a public inquiry. We got a heads-up and there was...