Results 1,721-1,740 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Over the last four weeks the Deputy will be aware of the challenging and difficult operational environment Irish peacekeepers face in UNIFIL. In order to implement its mandate as defined by the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), UNIFIL carries out a range of operations across its Area of Operations between the Litani river in the north and the Blue Line (Line of Withdrawal of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The following capital works for the DFTC are included in the Infrastructure Development Plan and are at various stages of the procurement pipeline at a total value of €57m: New Transport Storage Facility x 2 - Estimated Completion early 2025 CIS Corps Workshop and Stores- Estimated Completion 2026 New Army Ranger Wing HQ Block – Expected completion 2027 Refurbishment of 1...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is organised on a regional basis, in 28 individual locations, existing as sub-units of parent Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units, with the Defence Forces Headquarters and the Defence Forces Training Camp (DFTC) residing in Kildare. The RDF currently make a significant contribution to our national defence capability. For example the military authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces headquarters are jointly situated in McKee and the Curragh barracks; whilst also having HQ offices in Baldonnel Aerodrome, Haulbowline and Newbridge (DFHQ and Department of Defence). Please find a list of capital works projects either ongoing in 2024 or due to commence in 2025. Existing Projects Location Start Completed ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the requested details, in the table below, in relation to vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music. Figures are as at 30 October 2024: Rank Lt Col Comdt Captain CS CQ Sgt Cpl Pte Strength 1 1 4 4 1 37 31 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department procures mobile phone handsets and mobile phone services under the Office of Government Procurement’s central framework for 'Mobile Voice and Data Communications and Associated Products and Services'. The number of mobile phone handsets issued to staff and the total expenditure on mobile phone handsets and mobile phone bills in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 is detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that all promotions throughout the Air Corps are administered promptly and there are no delays currently. The number of officers who were promoted from the rank of second lieutenant to the rank of lieutenant, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in tabular form below: Year Rank on Promotion Service Total Promoted ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that all promotions throughout the Naval Service are administered promptly and there are no delays currently. The number of officers who were promoted from the rank of sub-lieutenant to the rank of lieutenant, as requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular form below. Year Rank on promotion Service Total Promoted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The current establishment of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) is 9,600 personnel. This is comprised of Army 7,520, Air Corps 886, and Naval Service 1,094. and a further 100 additional positions for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces appointments. The military authorities have advised that as of 30 September 2024, the strength of the PDF stood at 7,477. The whole time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces provides the timelines associated with the implementation of Commission recommendations. That document sets out that the Government decision in relation to a move to Level of Ambition 3 (LOA 3) will be taken in 2028 and that a capacity and capability assessment will be completed to inform that decision...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (5 Nov 2024)

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 Equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Commission on Defence Forces calls for the development of an East Coast base for the Naval Service. While IPVs can currently operate from Haulbowline, it is a strategic goal of the Defence Forces to develop a Forward Operating Base on the East Coast. On 25 October, I instructed my officials to enter into discussions with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 14 of 17 October 2024, I have requested the Defence Forces to provide information on the functions formally performed by members of the Defence Forces which have been outsourced since 2020. Preliminary data has been prepared, however, further analysis is required before a final answer can be provided. It is hoped to issue a reply to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The following table, based on data provided by the military authorities, sets out the information sought by Deputy from 2019 up to the end of October (the latest date for which information is available). - Completed Patrol Days Cancelled Patrol Days Total Scheduled Patrol Days 2019 1061 94 1155 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am very pleased that this significant Government commitment is now nearing fruition and that members of the Defence Forces are soon to be brought within the scope of the Directive. Extensive work has been undertaken to date between my officials and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to progress the removal of the blanket exemption of the Defence Forces from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Plaques (5 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are currently no plans to place a monument or commemorative plaque in Ballymullen Barracks as referenced by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 916,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, when making a first time passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (24 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for processing applications for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Once a person is entered on the Foreign Births Register, they are deemed an Irish citizen and is entitled to apply for an Irish passport. By its nature, Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (23 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s diplomatic presence has expanded significantly in recent years, under the Global Ireland Strategy, which aimed to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025. Twenty six new missions were planned for under the Strategy, and we have now opened or announced the opening of twenty seven, comprising fourteen embassies and thirteen...