Results 5,921-5,940 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 23 and 35 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The passport card was launched in October 2015 and offers Irish citizens the convenience of travel to 31 countries including the EU/EEA member states, Great Britain and Switzerland, with a credit card sized travel document. The Passport Card is fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations concerning requirements for passports in card format. Over...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are long standing human rights concerns in Bahrain, including freedom of expression, treatment of human rights defenders, conditions of detention, discrimination against the Shia majority and the use of the death penalty. Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, but there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 31 and 48 together. With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications have been approved. Certificates will issue to the applicants shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 28 together. I can assure you, Deputy, that my Department is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. Since the start of the current crisis in the Middle East, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of Irish citizens, and accompanying dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. To date...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the initiative by the United States to introduce a travel restrictions targeting those involved in extreme settler violence. My immediate priority is to push for a similar initiative at EU level. I raised this with my counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council in December. I look forward to this being progressed rapidly, in line with the commitment given by the High Representative...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about rising tensions, including violence, deaths and arrests in the West Bank, which is having a devastating effect on Palestinian civilians and communities. The case referred to by the Deputy forms part of a broader and concerning trend, as identified by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in his recent Flash Report on the human rights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am acutely aware of the dire situation faced by civilians in Gaza. For this reason, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and access for humanitarian supplies is the central focus of my engagement. I am particularly conscious that journalists in situations of armed conflict and adjacent areas often face extreme danger. Journalists are afforded protection under international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about rising tensions, including violence, deaths and arrests in the West Bank, which is having a devastating effect on Palestinian civilians and communities. I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy. This forms part of a broader and concerning trend, as identified by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in his...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The established forum for advancing North South cooperation is the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which was established under Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement. In the Council, the Government works with the Northern Ireland Executive to advance areas of practical co-operation which are to our mutual benefit in twelve agreed areas. There is currently no ongoing research...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The British-Irish Council (BIC) was created, under the Good Friday Agreement, to further promote positive, practical relationships across these islands, and to provide a forum for consultation and co-operation on issues of mutual interest. It is the only international forum which brings together representatives of the Irish and UK governments, Northern Ireland Executive, Scotland, Wales,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Programmes (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together. The EU established the European Peace Facility (EPF) in 2021. The Facility has three main aims: First, it funds the common costs of the EU’s military missions and operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); second, it helps to finance Peace Support Operations led by international and regional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that an effective governance framework is in place to enable my Department to meet its obligations under data protection legislation. This governance framework was adopted in accordance with the Department’s obligations under the GDPR. Sharing of personal data with other public sector bodies is for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Personal data...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (17 Jan 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: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Poland enjoy a strong bilateral relationship. Although I do not currently have a scheduled visit to Poland in the first quarter of this year, I look forward to engaging with my new Polish counterpart, Foreign Minister Sikorski, at meetings in Brussels and exploring further opportunities, including through visits, to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I visited London on 13 December for a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. This was my first meeting with the British Foreign Secretary since his appointment in November 2023. As such, it represented an important opportunity to discuss relations between our countries, and to share views on a wide range of foreign policy issues including the crisis in the Middle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy, my Department aims to further deepen bilateral relations with South East Asia, and particularly with Singapore in light of its significant global and regional role. The bilateral relationship between Singapore and Ireland is strong and growing. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland currently has over 80 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers key support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens and the Government in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. These appointments are honorary in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days. In 2023, over 1 million applications were received and over 950,000 passports were issued. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 33,000 passports. The Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, provides that: “The establishment of diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent.” Ireland became a state party to the Vienna Convention in 1967 and its provisions were given the force of law in the State by the Diplomatic Relations and...