Results 1,741-1,760 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (23 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)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 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 Defence: Naval Service (23 Oct 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: Grazing Rights (23 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, together. The Curragh Plains is approximately 4,870 acres. Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare. I am advised that the current available number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Land Staff Team (comprising the Curragh Maor and two Fó-Mhaor) employed by my Department are tasked with assisting with the management of the Curragh Plains, which includes but is not limited to: - Assisting the Department's Property Management Branch with the supervision of the “Green and Blue” (i.e. outside the Curragh Camp) lands of the Curragh specifically...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the adoption of the Pact for the Future by leaders at the Summit of the Future at last month’s UN General Assembly in New York. I believe the Pact represents a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law. The commitment to achieve gender equality is central to the Pact for the Future - as both a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. UN Security Council Resolution 2703, adopted on 30 October 2023, extended the mandate of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since the events of 14 December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion serving with UNIFIL were injured. The Government has consistently expressed determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has a long and proud track record of providing high quality consular services to Irish citizens abroad. This is a vital public service and a key priority of my Department. Our commitment is to promote an informed approach to international travel and support citizens when they require consular assistance abroad, including during large-scale consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport and relevant supporting documents have been returned to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department’s original allocation under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 in respect of 2024, 2025 and 2026 was €25 million per annum. Following negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, it was agreed that the NDP allocations in respect of 2024, 2025 and 2026 will be increased to €35 million per...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Global Ireland Programme, which was launched in 2018, has strengthened Ireland’s global impact and diplomatic network. Since the launch of the Programme, 22 new missions have been opened to date, bringing our diplomatic footprint to 102 missions worldwide, with a further 5 new missions announced to open in the coming years. The typical average operational cost of running a new...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In Budget 2024, I secured a 40% increase in the allocation to the Reconciliation Fund to €7.045m. This increase has allowed the Fund, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to provide enhanced support this year for projects and organisations that seek either to address the drivers of division, conflict, and barriers, or to build a strong civil society that encompasses all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 910,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There are currently 794 staff employed in the Passport Service. Staffing levels reached 847 officers during the busy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Programmes (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Established in 2021, the European Peace Facility (EPF) has three main aims: funding the common costs of the EU’s military missions and operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); financing Peace Support Operations led by international and regional organisations, and partner countries around the world; and strengthening the military and defence capacities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. The Passport Service requires the submission of many key supporting document in all first-time passport applications. The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland enjoys good relations with Kuwait. Ambassador Alison Milton, based in Abu Dhabi, represents Ireland in Kuwait. Kuwait opened an Embassy in Dublin in 2022, and Ambassador Mohammad M F M Al-Mohammad presented credentials to President Higgins in February 2023. Relations between Ireland and Kuwait continue to develop, with the main areas of cooperation being in education, healthcare...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs within the state.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can advise that the Military authorities have submitted a recommendation on the future of the Fire Service in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp. My officials are considering same and have written to the military authorities on the matter. It will be necessary to establish Kildare County Council's formal position on the matter before any decision can be made.