Results 9,001-9,020 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (22 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The only State body currently under the aegis of this Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Lobbying Reform (22 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: None of the members of my Department's Management Board, are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities. The only State body currently under the aegis of this Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Patent Applications (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was cancelled on 4 April 2022 following a request by the applicant's parent. The Passport Service subsequently refunded the paid passport fee to the parent on 5 June 2022. It is, of course, open to the legal guardian(s) of the applicant to apply again on behalf of the child. All passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Repatriation Costs (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of recent media reports indicating that researchers have succeeded in identifying the possible location of the remains of Patrick Sarsfield, first Earl of Lucan, in Belgium. This is a welcome development and one of great historical significance if confirmed. I applaud the efforts of all those involved including the Honorary Consul of France in Limerick, Dr Loïc Guyon,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together. 2022 was an exceptionally busy year for the Passport Service, with over 1,085,000 passports issued. 2023 is set to be a similarly busy year, with demand forecasts showing that just under 1.1 million passports are projected to be issued again. Thanks to significant investment by the Government and the dedicated work of the Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Sign Language (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs recognises fully the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language in accordance with the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. The Department makes provision to provide Irish Sign Language Interpreters to assist employees who are deaf when this is required. Additionally, the Passport Service has two members of staff...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his serious medical condition. 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 on the citizen's case with the Iranian authorities at senior political and official levels. I emphasised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his serious medical condition. 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 on the citizen's case with the Iranian authorities at senior political and official levels. I emphasised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's Ambassador to Australia has not visited any military barracks in Australia on official business in the years 2022 nor to date in 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and the United Arab Emirates enjoy warm diplomatic relations, and our diaspora has a strong presence in the country. We continue to engage with the United Arab Emirates on a regular basis through our diplomatic channels and also through ministerial visits. In January of this year, Minister of State Dara Calleary led the participation of Irish companies in the Arab Health expo in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Feb 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: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the situation in Nicaragua. The continued human rights violations, crackdowns on opposition voices, on civil society and on independent media, together with backsliding on democratic norms, are unacceptable. Ireland and the EU have used all channels of engagement available to call on the Nicaraguan authorities to put an end to repression and to restore full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his serious medical condition. 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 on the citizen's case with the Iranian authorities at senior political and official levels. I emphasised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disaster Response (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland responded rapidly to the devastating earthquake which hit Türkiye and Syria on 6 February. That day, we allocated €2 million in emergency assistance for the people of the region. On 13 February I announced further allocation of €8 million, bringing the total direct Irish response to the earthquake to €10 million. This response will focus on the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department engages in advertising and public awareness campaigns for the promotion of Ireland around the world, and in cases where there is a need to bring important information to the attention of citizens. Some examples of these campaigns include: the Online Passport Renewals Service, the “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign, public information on travel restrictions due...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The nature of the core work of the Department of Foreign Affairs is such that almost all staff engage in public-facing communication – be it our diplomats representing Ireland abroad or DFA staff providing essential passport or consular services to Irish citizens. Communication takes place in a variety of ways: through traditional press and media outlets, through external engagements...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people both bilaterally and through the EU budget since Russia's full-scale invasion was launched on 24 February 2022. Ireland’s support has been directed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the invasion, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government, public services and economy. Ireland was among the first to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no record of any discrimination cases being taken and won on any of the protected grounds over the last ten years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Irish Sign Language (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017, recognises Irish Sign Language (ISL) as a native language of the State and provides that the “community of persons using ISL shall have the right to use, develop and preserve Irish Sign Language”. My Department is committed to meeting the requirements of the Act to do all that is reasonable to ensure free ISL translation services for ISL...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (21 Feb 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that it is intended to launch cadetship competitions, supported by a specific media campaign, for all three services of the Defence Forces before the end of Q1, 2023.