Results 6,041-6,060 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. To be clear, the Defence Forces have not undertaken any training of personnel or engaged in any other activities in Ukraine. Not alone is there is no question of Irish Defence Forces’ personnel being sent to Ukraine as part of this mission, but no other EU Member State intends to send personnel to Ukraine. All of the training is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will appreciate, United States immigration policy and the processing of US visas is wholly a matter for the appropriate US authorities. I encourage the applicant to continue to liaise with the United States Embassy in Dublin.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Pay (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Human Resources Division of my Department are in direct and ongoing contact with the member of staff in question. Officers in Human Resources have examined the case and have confirmed to the staff member that they are on their correct pay point. They will, however, continue to assist on other related issues which have been raised by the staff member.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict impossible. Government advice is available on the gov.ie website for the general public and, in particular for Irish companies. This advice makes it clear that we do not encourage or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. Ireland has wholeheartedly supported the United Nations Security Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), concluded in March 2019, allocates fishing opportunities for the EU in exchange for an overall financial contribution of €208 million. A substantial part of this contribution is used to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries economy in Morocco and the Western Sahara. When the process of negotiation began on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Senior officials from my Department regularly meet with their Moroccan counterparts, both in Dublin and Rabat, to discuss a wide range of issues, with human rights a core element of those discussions. The opening of an Irish Embassy in Rabat has allowed us to deepen our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland actively participates in various international bodies and organisations. Some of these bodies or organisations have seen the appointment of Irish officials to their ranks and these appointments have served to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage. In the ten years since December 2013, officials of my Department have led Government campaigns seeking the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy notes, EU’s review of development aid has now been completed. I welcome, in particular the review’s conclusion -as we had expected- that the Commission’s existing controls and safeguards work well and that there is no evidence that funding has been diverted for unintended purposes. Ireland also has robust safeguards in place to ensure that our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The protracted conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains high on the EU agenda, and has featured regularly on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council over the past year, particularly since the military escalation of 19-20 September, and subsequent exodus of over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to Armenia. The issue was most recently discussed at the November Foreign Affairs Council,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the situation in Myanmar and wish to reiterate my strong condemnation of the February 2021 coup and the resulting violence. Neither I nor representatives of the Irish Government have held bilateral meetings or engagements with the military authorities. Coherent with a common EU position, neither I nor my Department undertake actions that would serve to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Venezuela remains complex and deeply concerning. On 3 December, a referendum in Venezuela asked five questions regarding the area of Essequibo, which is part of the territory of neighbouring Guyana. Although the referendum was passed, independent observers have suggested that turnout was very low. Venezuela has a long-standing territorial claim on Essequibo. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my responses to Questions 39712, 39711 and 39771 of 20 September and my response to Question 41428 of 28 September.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Over the past year, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas and undertaken a number of new initiatives, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy. Delivery of services to Irish citizens remains central to our work. Irish citizens abroad continued to receive excellent consular support, including in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. The provision of diplomatic clearance to land...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs does not own any properties in this jurisdiction.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.