Results 9,821-9,840 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 214, 215 and 217 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 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 Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the sea. A subgroup of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning (GTF) supported by the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in my Department, was assigned responsibility to develop guidance on critical infrastructure resilience in 2017. The subgroup...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Deputy wishes to seek clarity on Pay and Allowance matters for the Defence Forces. I am very happy to outline to the Deputy the range of recent key improvements in terms of pay and allowances for personnel. At the outset, it is important to state that starting rates of pay in the Defence Forces compare very well to comparable rates of pay across the public service. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 221 together. My previous statements to the House have acknowledged that the conclusions in the Report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces are both stark and shocking. The Report, which was accepted by Government, makes for uncomfortable reading and goes to the very heart of dignity, mutual...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The current strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 March 2023 is as follows: Total Strength Army (WTE) 6,333 Air Corps (WTE) 716 Naval Service (WTE) 758 Army Reserve (Effective Personnel) 1,496 Naval Service Reserve (Effective Personnel) 102 WTE - Whole...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 30 January 2023. The application cannot proceed without the required supporting documents. The Passport Service contacted the Applicant again on 9 May 2023 in relation to the required documents.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (11 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application has been approved and a Foreign Birth Registration certificate will issue to the applicant in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, new photographs for these applications were received on 2 May 2023. The turnaround time from receipt of a new photograph by the Passport Service is 10 working days. These applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date. The Passport Service has a helpful video...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is currently being processed by the Passport Service. The Passport Service will contact the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date. The Passport Service has advised the applicant of the option of booking an Urgent Appointment for passport renewal.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 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 Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (10 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on civilians. Hundreds have been killed, and thousands injured. Residents in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan are facing shortages of food, water, medicine and other necessities. It is vital that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. It is also vital to have a durable ceasefire. Ireland fully supports mediation efforts by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 May 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together. My Department is currently in the busiest season for passport applications, as citizens prepare for their upcoming summer travel plans. Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by my Department, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current high demand, and has issued over 403,000 passports to date this year....