Results 1-20 of 2,334 for long speaker:Micheál Martin

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...impact the ability of members of the Defence Forces to fully engage in the activities of the military representative associations. In view of the apolitical nature of the Defence Forces, which is a long-established principle, the Defence Act 1954 has always contained restrictions on the involvement of members in political activities. This is clearly reflected in the oath taken by all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...under a range of Government investment programmes. Up to €22 million was available under the national fund by the end of 2024 while the EU fund will provide up to €169 million until 2027, so that is a longer-term transition for the region. That arises from the end of commercial peat extraction and peat-fired power generation. I will certainly examine and reflect on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (1 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a long history of membership of and active participation in various international bodies and organisations. Our membership of such bodies allows us to fully engage in a manner that allows us to use our voice to push for accountability, compliance with international law, observance of the rules based system and to express our views on issues of global importance. With...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Finland share very cordial ties. We are like-minded EU partners and our bilateral relations are warm and constructive. Our countries have well-developed and long-standing cultural and people-to-people connections, trade relations and partnerships on the international stage, including proud records of peacekeeping. Finland also played an important role in the Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (25 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Ireland is the only country with an unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. The so-called Triple Lock mechanism sets out the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service requires the submission of a long-form birth certificate as a 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. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (23 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...ürkiye’s accession negotiations. Human rights are a fundamental aspect of EU membership and Ireland is fully supportive of the EU’s engagement with Türkiye around this. As a candidate country for EU membership and long-standing member of the Council of Europe, it is important that the Turkish authorities follow up on the recommendations of the European...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...a total capital spend of €209 million, amounting to 119% of the allocation. The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure and ICT capacity. These capital projects are often atypical, with long lead-in times and are usually...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been a long-standing advocate for and supporter of minor injuries units. I do not know the background as to why we do not have a minor injuries unit in Galway. Is it to do with the configuration of Merlin Park and other hospital projects getting ahead of it?

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. Foreign military aircraft which are given permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection in this regard. Sovereign immunity, a long-standing principle of customary international law, means that a state may not exercise its jurisdiction in respect to another state or its property, including state and military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...Defence capital funding at its highest ever level of €176 million. The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure and ICT capacity. These capital projects are often atypical, with long lead-in times and are usually pursued over a...

Anniversary of the Introduction of the Smoking Ban: Statements (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ..., a 2019 analysis found the workplace smoking ban had caused decreases in cancer incidence and mortality in Ireland and was associated with an estimated 32 fewer lung cancer incident cases per year and 113 fewer lung cancer deaths per year. Along with these improvements in health outcomes, we know the ban impacted on smoking rates. A 2020 analysis found its introduction reduced girls'...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I understand that can be done but the issue will be whether that will be a temporary emergency which is reversible or something else. The people need something more sustainable and long term to resolve this issue. The water levels are extremely high because of the weather over the past six months, which means the issue has been exacerbated. The OPW has been engaging with the National Parks...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (10 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...and in the South East Asia region more broadly, when necessary. Cooperation between Ireland and Malaysia continues to grow, particularly in the areas of education, trade, investment and tourism. Ireland has long-standing people-to-people links with Malaysia, including an active Irish community, and it is estimated that approximately 1,000 Malaysian students are studying in Irish...

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...Council, there is a full agenda before us and I am determined to push forward the work of the Shared Island initiative. For the first time in our history, our Government is making major long-term investment and deepening North-South understanding and economic and social development. As we have seen during the past week, evidence-based research and investment is needed more than ever and...

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...throughout this mandate. I confess that I have been amazed by the brazenness of the largest Opposition party on this matter, given that "I will be seeking support at the Sinn Féin convention" has long been one of the emptiest and most meaningless phrases ever uttered. Of relevance today is that while it is attacking the democratic legitimacy of this vote, the party in question has a...

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...thuig sé na dualgais a bhí air agus an tábhacht a bhí ann na dualgais sin a chomhlíonadh. Tá meas agam ar Leo agus guím gach rath agus sonas air sna blianta atá romhainn. We have not formally set time aside, but, in the context of this speech, it is a long-established tradition in the House to mark the resignation of a Taoiseach with some short...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). There are...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...delivery of a whole range of projects. That should be completed before any general election. The future fund Bill which was passed through Cabinet is probably the most important and significant long-term legislative initiative of any Government in a long time and will provide for the future by allocating 0.8% of GNI to cover pensions into the future, as well as to cover healthcare costs...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...condition of the N25 from a road safety perspective and as a key artery between Midleton, Youghal, Carrigtohill and Waterford - thank you Deputy Butler - and it has not really been upgraded for a long time. Last year the Department of Transport spent all of its money. I was told this as late as yesterday by the Minister, who said all of the capital was spent. We have to go back, not...