Results 101-120 of 19,990 for speaker:Micheál Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 94 together. The presidential elections held by Russia on 15-17 March took place in a highly restricted environment exacerbated by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These elections were neither free nor fair and ultimately reflect a wider deterioration in human rights and democracy in Russia under Vladimir Putin. They...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally altered the security situation in Europe. Together with wider global instability, this has led to a renewed focus at EU level on issues relating to security and defence. Against this backdrop, I regularly engage with leaders at the EU, UN and in our bilateral relationships on these topics, including on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: While Ireland and the United States have differing perspectives on aspects of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, both governments are committed to working towards an end to the violence as soon as possible, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The Government engages with the US on an ongoing basis as a close partner. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 112 together. The Passport Service has issued 450,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or ahead of advertised turnaround times and the majority of online adult renewal applications are processed within two working days. There are currently 156,000 passport applications in the system....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: In the context of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, Ireland remains fully committed to supporting and funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders on the ground as a key part of our support for the Palestinian people. As I previously stated, Ireland repeatedly expressed serious concern on the matter of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 97 and 102 together. I travelled to Egypt and Jordan from 23 – 25 April 2024 as part of the Government’s continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Egypt and Jordan are at the forefront of regional and international efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza, address the dire...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I regularly engage with my Slovak counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, on a wide range of issues, particularly at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers in the Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland and Slovakia enjoy positive relations, both bilaterally and as members of the European Union. I look forward to continue to work with Minister Blanár...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Planning for the opening of a Consulate General in Melbourne is underway following the Government's approval of the opening of five new diplomatic and consular missions on 5 March. As set out in the Government's announcement in relation to the new missions, they are due to open by 2026. I am pleased that we will open a Consulate General in Melbourne. In addition to being an important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Moldova has been significantly impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition to taking in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in Europe, there is ongoing evidence that Moldova has been systematically targeted with hybrid attacks by the Russian Federation, with the aim of destabilising Moldova’s democracy and derailing its EU membership path. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: With the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, I co-chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 29 April. The BIIGC warmly welcomed the return of the Executive, Assembly and North South Ministerial Council. I have had the opportunity to engage directly with the new Executive since they took up their positions, as indeed as the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together. In February 2024, the EU reached agreement clarifying the legal status of the extraordinary revenue generated from the immobilised Central Bank of Russia revenues and ensuring that such revenue is held separately from the assets themselves. It is estimated that more than €200 billion of immobilised assets of the Central Bank...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC), has a crucial role to play fighting impunity for international crimes that have been committed in Ukraine. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 118 together. As the Deputy is aware, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 14 February of this year, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU response to Russia's unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. Collectively, the EU and its Member States have provided approximately €98 billion in financial, humanitarian, emergency, budgetary and military support to Ukraine since February 2022. I continue to engage with my EU counterparts, both...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. We continue to advocate with the authorities in relation to those Irish citizens and dependents who have not yet been permitted to leave. Since the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have noted the judgment of the High Court of Northern Ireland in the matter of Re Dillon and Others, delivered on 28 February 2024. I understand that the appeal in this case is due to be heard in the Court of Appeal in the near future. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has lodged an inter-state application against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated on several occasions in this House, the Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward. Ireland’s resolute opposition to illegal Israeli settlements is firmly grounded in international law. To adopt a unilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, on the basis that nine further steps, detailed in the European Commission’s Enlargement Report, are undertaken by the Georgian government. However, I am concerned by ongoing political polarisation in Georgia and particularly by the actions taken by the Georgian government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024 the Government filed an inter-State case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention, including Article 2 (right to life), Article 3...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 125, 126 and 127 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.