Results 1,441-1,460 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below outlines the dates and destinations of foreign travel undertaken by the Tánaiste in 2023 and the associated travel and hotel costs for the Tánaiste and other members of travelling delegations. In some cases, there were no travel costs charged to the Department or reduced costs, as Ministerial Air Transport was organised by the Air Corps, while in other cases there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of EU Directives and supported by procurement guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the OGP focusing especially on achieving procurement savings and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department has reviewed its records and there are no payments over the last 10 years, to the companies named by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, and Alexander Lukashenko regime’s continued persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. The Lukashenko regime has consistently used state sponsored crack-downs to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism. It is clear that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Global Ireland Strategy was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of twenty-two new missions under the Strategy. A further five new diplomatic missions were announced in March 2024 with new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below provides a breakdown by month and grade of civil servants in my Department who were on a career break in 2023 or 2024. There have been no instances in my Department where career breaks have been extended longer than five years in 2023 or 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the number of vacancies that arose in my Department, by month and by grade throughout 2023 and 2024. Any vacancies that arise are filled as soon as possible, either through the Civil Service mobility scheme, on appointment from the Public Appointments Service or alternatively, through an internal promotion process. Staffing in support of the Army Pensions Board is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the provisions of Circular 4/2013, Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service, are strictly complied with in all cases where civil servants avail of a career break in my Department. As per the Circular, the onus is on each individual to notify the Department of their intention to return to work at least two months in advance of the end of their career break. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Civilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. There were no civilian tailors employed by my Department during the period 2023 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the 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 of the established capability development and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The LE Aoibhinn and the LE Gobnait, the Naval Service's P70 Class Inshore Patrol Vessels, each has a minimum crewing requirement of 24 personnel. The LÉ George Bernard Shaw and all of the P60 Class of Offshore Patrol Vessels have a minimum crewing requirement of 45 personnel. I am advised by the Defence Forces that the strength of the crew, and ranks thereof, may vary, depending on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and, having regard to the nature of the job, the duties...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I last updated the Deputy on the investigation on 17 October 2024 and today I am happy to advise him of some significant developments since then. I have determined that it was necessary and appropriate to carry out a Post-Incident Internal Inquiry. This inquiry, which commenced on 1 November 2024, is being independently led by Mr. Michael Delaney S.C., and will examine, among other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: Following a recommendation in the Report of the Independent Review Group (“the IRG”), published in March 2023, the External Oversight Body was established, on a non-statutory basis initially, to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations of the IRG Report. The recommendations sought to increase transparency and accountability, and to bring about necessary changes to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department has been engaged with the CSSO in anticipation of any potential trespassing to ensure that all legal steps are taken promptly to protect the Plains. In the case of trespass or criminal damage, it is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to police the situation, and my Department has engaged with them on this issue. In terms of addressing these challenges in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that there is one qualified female pilot within the Air Corps. They have further advised that there are six females currently in training to become qualified military pilots. The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. Work is underway on the development of a policy for the use of AI within the Department. A number of staff are enrolled on formal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the security of the State. Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under continuous review in light of ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: First and foremost, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and all of those injured and affected by the tragic events of 14 April 1979 at the Glen of Imaal. My attention has been drawn to the newspaper article in question. Officials in my Department are carrying out a review of the files in relation to the incident together and involved a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jan 2025)

Micheál Martin: The following are the principal installations in Dublin occupied by the Defence Forces: Name Address Eircode McKee Barracks Blackhorse Ave., Dublin 7 D07 A065 Cathal Brugha Barracks Rathmines, Dublin 6 D06 RX00 Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel, Co. Dublin D22 X2Y4 ...