Results 5,681-5,700 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU faces unprecedented foreign and security policy challenges. The invasion of Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East demonstrate the need for the EU to be able to react robustly and rapidly to developments that threaten our interests and values. It is important to state that Defence and Security remain national competencies and will of course continue to require unanimity in EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 61 together. I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I maintain regular contact with the Ukrainian Government, both through the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Ireland's Ambassador to Ukraine, as well as directly with my Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Kuleba. Foreign Minister Kuleba joined the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 January, via video call, providing us with an update on the situation on the ground and on Ukrainian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace Commissioners (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: In order to verify the identity of a passport applicant, and in the case of children, the consent of their guardians, the Passport Service requires certain forms to be witnessed. While Peace Commissioners are included in the list of approved witnesses accepted by the Passport Service, there are certain applications for applicants resident in Ireland that must be witnessed by a member of An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 26 together. I travelled to Berlin last week, where I met with German Federal Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, Minister of State for Europe and Climate, Dr Anna Lührmann, and the Chair and Members of the Bundestag Committee on EU Affairs. I also delivered a keynote address, ‘Navigating Europe: Ireland's Voice in Shaping the Future of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 30 and 31 together. The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Officials in my Department follow developments in the Taiwan Strait closely. Military activity in the Strait intensified during 2022 and 2023. Any escalation or confrontation is deeply concerning and has the potential to impact regional and global security, as well as the free flow of trade. I am in regular contact with my EU counterparts on matters of foreign policy significance, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Final costs as incurred by my Department in relation to last week's visit by Premier Li are still being compiled and will be completed as soon as possible. A breakdown of actual and estimated costs as available at this point is set out below. Other costs incurred by other Departments and State authorities which were involved in facilitating the visit are a matter for the Departments and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for exports of dual-use goods, and administers these controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Premier Li Qiang visited Ireland on 16th and 17th of January, at the request of the Chinese authorities. The Premier paid a courtesy call on President Higgins before being welcomed by the Taoiseach at Farmleigh House for a bilateral meeting and a lunch, which was also attended by a number of Ministers. Meetings covered a range of topics including bilateral relations, human rights,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 47 and 60 together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. All turnaround times are at or well-ahead of target and there are no backlogs. Currently the majority of child online renewal applications are issuing within 6 days and online adult renewal applications are issuing within 2 working days. First-time online...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 55 and 57 together. It is hugely disappointing that Northern Ireland remains without functioning devolved government so long after the May 2022 Assembly elections. The absence of an Assembly and an Executive is now undermining people’s faith in politics. It is essential that the Good Friday Agreement operates across all its Strands. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 62 and 84 together. Ireland condemns the recent escalation by Russia of its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. The drone and missile attack launched by Russia on 29 December was the single largest aerial assault of the war so far, with 153 missiles and drones targeting cities throughout the country. Attacks of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 45, 63, 73, 75, 76, 79 and 85 together. I have been closely monitoring developments in the case taken under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’) by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice. The public hearings that took place on 11 and 12 January involved only the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 41 and 80 together. I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland’s diplomatic efforts have focused on the urgent need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and a significant scale-up of humanitarian access and supplies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 81 together. I condemn the ongoing attacks by Houthi forces on shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks threaten the lives of the crews aboard and also seek to close one of the most important shipping routes to the world. While there are no direct diplomatic links with the Houthis, the US and other international partners have made clear the urgent need...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 71 together. It is crucial that European resolve and support for Ukraine remains consistent. Russia’s brutal invasion has had appalling consequences for the Ukrainian people but also has wider implications, including for the security of the European continent. This is the context in which Ireland strongly supports putting EU financial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am committed to working closely with my EU partners, including Germany, to ensure Ukraine gets the support it so urgently needs to continue to defend itself against ongoing Russian attacks. My recent visit to Berlin was an excellent opportunity to discuss bilateral and EU support for Ukraine with our German partners. Germany is one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to London on 13 December to meet with the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, our first since his appointment as Foreign Secretary in November. Our meeting focused on the importance of the relationship between Ireland and Britain. We had a good discussion on matters relating to Northern Ireland, including an exchange regarding the UK's the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (25 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is represented by two diplomatic missions in Australia, with an Embassy in Canberra and a Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy and the Consulate work to promote and protect Irish interests in Australia, to strengthen political and economic relationships, to support the Irish community, and to promote cultural ties and the Irish arts. In addition, an Honorary Consul in Perth...