Results 141-160 of 45,834 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 5th April 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. The Passport service has reviewed the application, is taking action as appropriate and will contact the applicant directly in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is an active and committed supporter of EU civilian crisis management, and we welcomed the establishment of an EU civilian CSDP mission in Armenia in January 2023. This commitment by the EU sends an important signal of support for the stability and security of the South Caucasus region. The Mission's mandate, or purpose, is to assess the impact of the conflict on populations in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategies (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has diplomatic relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and continues to engage with the region guided by the Department of Foreign Affairs Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2025. Ireland and Armenia have had diplomatic relations since 1996, and Ireland is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis through the Embassy of Ireland in Sofia, Bulgaria. Armenia is accredited to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Armenia have enjoyed positive diplomatic relations since 28 June 1996. The Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria is accredited to Armenia on a non-resident basis. The Embassy of Armenia to the UK and Ireland is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis, and Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan presented his credentials to President Michael D. Higgins in July 2022. Ambassador Nersesyan most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and the European Union are committed to growing our relations with Armenia in all dimensions. The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has been in force since 1 March 2021 and aims to strengthen EU-Armenia co-operation in a number of sectors including the economy, business and trade, and education. With the support of the EU, Armenia has agreed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Historical Conflicts (16 Apr 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: Diplomatic Representation (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 153, inclusive, together. Tensions in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain an issue of concern for Ireland and the European Union, including following Azerbaijan’s military escalation in September 2023, and subsequent exodus of over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to Armenia. Ireland fully supports efforts to ensure a...

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

Micheál Martin: In response to the recent deeply shocking media reports alleging the training of members of the Libyan National Army by an Irish-based company and the possibility that such activity is in breach of UN sanctions or EU restrictive measures, I have taken a number of immediate actions, as follows I have spoken with the Chief of Staff to outline my deep concern at the matters alleged, all of...

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

Micheál Martin: In response to the alleged activities of former members of the Defence Forces in the provision of training to members of the Libyan National Army, activities that may be in breaches of UN and EU sanctions, I have taken a number of immediate actions. Among those actions, I have asked my officials to give consideration to the need for further legislation to strengthen the safeguards in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published in November 2023 builds on the publication of the Commission Report itself in February 2022, the High Level Action Plan in July 2022 and the Early Actions Update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA 2) by...

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

Micheál Martin: The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €933 million for the Defence Vote, an allocation which maintains 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. Enhancing the physical working environment and equipment for our Defence Personnel is a key feature of the recently published Strategic...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised that the fee for hiring the Defence Forces School of Music (DFSM) stands at €700 plus VAT, this fee was increased in 2020. The Deputy may wish to note where the organisation hiring the DFSM is charging a fee to the event, the event organiser is also required to meet the costs of transporting the DF personnel to and from the event, to ensure that there is no cost to the...

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

Micheál Martin: I am advised that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Japan in 2023 and Quarter 1 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Risk Assessment (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I published the National Risk Assessment for Ireland, 2023 on 28 March 2024. It identifies 22 key risks with Antimicrobial Resistant Infection, Pandemic, Cyber Attack and Disruption to Critical Supply Chain rated as our highest probability and highest impact risks. Risks appearing for the first time include: Disruption to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State assists and performs functions, including Oireachtas business, as assigned by me as Minister for Defence on my behalf. Responsibilities of the Minister of State include the following; Deputising for the Minister on Defence matters Taking Defence legislation through the Oireachtas when necessary Taking Oral Parliamentary Questions Taking Private Members Business...

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

Micheál Martin: The strength of the PDF, as at 29 February 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, stood at 7,451 personnel. Induction numbers fluctuate from year to year. Budget 2024 allocated €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024. As part of strategies to achieve this, a Joint...

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

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have provided the following two tables: Table A details the number of retirements/discharges, by Branch and by year, from 2019 to 2024, as at 29 February 2024 Table A Year Army Air Corps Naval Service Total 2019 655 88 139 882 2020 491 48 ...

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

Micheál Martin: Táim sásta a bheith anseo inniu chun tús a chur leis na hóráidí seo a bhaineann leis an gcosc a chuireadh le tobac 20 bliain ó shin. I am very pleased to be here to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the prohibition on smoking in the workplace, one of the most significant and memorable days in my own public life. For the past two decades, since 29 March...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kerrane raised the issue of 18 children with no school places for special classes. I will talk to the Minister for Education about that. Much progress has been made in the last three years. Seven new special schools have been established and there has been a massive expansion of SNAs and special education teachers. The basic principle is that children who need a place should be...