Results 2,201-2,220 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Government’s legal advice is that the Occupied Territories Bill is not compatible with EU law, as the EU has exclusive competence for external trade. A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. To adopt an approach that runs contrary to legal advice would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Developing an agreed approach on legacy which responds to the needs of victims is essential to progressing the vital work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Legacy issues, both specific cases, and the wider approach, feature in all of my engagements with my UK counterparts. I welcome the British Government's stated intention to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. I have noted the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I have previously confirmed, the Government intends to file a declaration of intervention in these proceedings before the International Court of Justice once South Africa has filed its memorial. On 5 April 2024, the Court fixed the time limits for the filing of written proceedings in this case. South Africa is required to file its memorial by 28 October 2024, while Israel is required to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Our policy of military neutrality, as practised by successive Governments over many decades, means Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. As I have said in this House on many previous occasions, the Government has no plans to alter our long-standing policy of military neutrality, join a military alliance or enter into a mutual defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the situation of Irish citizens in Lebanon. Throughout the current crisis, my Department, including through our Embassy in Cairo, has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon. As part of ongoing consular coordination amongst states, we worked closely with our EU, UK and other partners to exchange information and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 60 together. I am deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon in recent days, including continuing Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel, Israel's massive aerial bombardments and ground incursions across the Blue Line by the Israeli Defence Forces. Recent developments in Lebanon represent a further dangerous escalation in an already tense and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people. Recognising the disproportionate impact of the war on women and children, Ireland will continue to prioritise the protection of all vulnerable groups and the prevention of sexual and gender based violence. Ireland also supports a gender-responsive and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have repeatedly condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. In August 2024, on the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, I issued a statement strongly condemning the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I had a constructive meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, on a range of issues when I attended the British Irish Association conference on 6-7 September in Oxford. This followed on earlier engagements with him, shortly after his appointment. I have been consistent in my view that issues around reform are best addressed from a position of stability, when...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The rise in far-right non-state actors is a matter of serious concern for this Government. Misinformation and disinformation is being used to sow division across the EU and beyond, and is driving the propagation of far-right narratives. Democracies depend on reliable information and trust in democratic processes. Disinformation campaigns, and foreign information manipulation and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I attended the 79th UN General Assembly in New York last month alongside the President, Taoiseach, Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Sean Fleming. The President addressed the plenary session of the Summit of the Future, focusing on poverty, hunger, and UN reform. He held bilateral meetings with leaders from Barbados, Malawi and South Africa, and also had engagements with other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Palestine is a central priority for the Government and a key focus of my international engagement. I welcome that I had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa during UN High Level Week in September, enabling a detailed exchange of views on the situation on the ground as well as on Ireland's ongoing support for the Palestinian Authority. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 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: Departmental Reviews (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In recent years, my Department has consistently demonstrated the capacity to respond and adapt to a rapidly changing international environment while continuing to serve the interests of Irish citizens at home and abroad. Underpinning this has been a commitment in our Statement of Strategy to strengthening our effectiveness by reviewing our systems and structures on an ongoing basis, building...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon in recent days, including continuing Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel, Israel's massive aerial bombardments and ground incursions across the Blue Line by the Israeli Defence Forces. This is a dangerous escalation. In a recent statement I underlined that the recent breaches of the Blue Line are in violation of UN Security Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the Palestinian family member of an Irish citizen who has been granted a visa to travel to Ireland but who has not yet been able to exit Gaza in order to do so. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is aware of this case and has been providing assistance to the family since late last year. I want to recognise that this is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland actively collaborates with both the European Union and the United Nations to address the threat of international terrorism. In particular, the need for greater international cooperation on strategic approaches to address the underlying factors that contribute to terrorist activities in accordance with international law, human rights and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Actively communicating the work of the European Union and explaining the benefits and opportunities arising from membership is essential to ensuring a robust, united and democratic Europe. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, set out the political guidelines for the incoming Commission in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 18th July last....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 886,000 passports this year to date. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times and the majority of adult online renewals are being processed within 2 working days. It is important to note that processing times for Passport Online...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is a priority for the international, multilateral system and a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Ireland contributes actively to United Nations and European Union efforts to prevent, monitor and eliminate human rights violations and abuses. There are a number of active mechanisms in place to...