Results 461-480 of 45,834 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Government views the terrible events which saw the deaths of a large number of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire as a tragedy, and has expressed deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during this period. The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. The Government has not taken a stance on whether...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have not yet had the opportunity to raise the publication of the Operation Kenova Interim Report with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but will do so shortly in the context of our ongoing exchanges. As I stated on 8 March, the date on which the interim report was published, the ‘one thing that emerges immediately from the interim report is the centrality of victims and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government looks forward to working closely with the new Executive, particularly through the framework of the North South Ministerial Council, on the many areas where North-South cooperation makes a positive difference to the lives of the people of this island. This includes the work of InterTrade Ireland, whose mission is to support businesses to take advantage of north–south...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 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: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 145 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force comprises the Army Reserve (AR), Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). The RDF is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve The FLR consists of former trained members of the PDF who are available at short notice to supplement the PDF in times of crisis. The current strength of the Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 146 and 149 together. The strength of the PDF, as at 31 January 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, stood at 7,504 personnel, 6,281 of which were enlisted. I have acknowledged the current staffing difficulties previously and I have instructed the military authorities that additional enlisted personnel and Cadets be recruited in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 144 together. The number of personnel inducted and departing varies from year to year. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As at 31 January 2024, the latest date for which such figures are available, there were 1,112 positions....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 147 together. As of 6 March 2024, Ireland is contributing 553 personnel to 8 different missions throughout the world` and reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €1.25 billion in Defence Group funding, an increase of €40 million over 2023. The Defence Vote Group includes the Defence and Army Pensions Votes. The allocations for 2024 are €933 million for the Defence Vote and €317 million for the Army Pensions Vote. This significant level of funding will further...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The so-called Triple Lock mechanism sets out the conditions for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These include that the operation must be mandated by the UN, (either by the Security Council or General Assembly), approved by the Government and it must be approved by way of resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: An Garda Síochána (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department maintains ongoing, close contact with An Garda Síochána on a range of issues. These include engagement on issues relating to security matters. Due to the sensitivity of any such issues, I am not in a position to provide further details.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In 2018, The Gambia instituted proceedings against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Gambia claims that Myanmar – ‘through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities acting on the instructions of or under the direction and control of Myanmar’...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: An adult whose passport has expired more than five years ago and a child whose passport has expired more than 10 years ago will need to apply for their next passport as a first time applicant if their expired passport was issued more than 15 years ago. All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Section 8 of the Act provides for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I note the correspondence sent by the Deputy on 17 January 2024 relating to the case taken by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The Government’s views on this case have been made clear to the Oireachtas on several occasions since 17 January. I have made statements on this matter during debates in the Dáil (on 25 January) and in the Seanad (on 21...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. With regard to the specific applicants about which the Deputy has enquired, passports have been issued to the applicants through the Urgent Appointment service.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (20 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, the European Union and other international partners, including the United States, are absolutely clear that Gaza is an integral part of a future Palestinian state. There can be no forced displacement of the civilian population of Gaza, nor occupation of the strip by Israel. All Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under...