Results 6,201-6,220 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU Enlargement and supported the decision of the European Council in June 2022 to grant EU Candidate Status to Ukraine and Moldova and potential Candidate Status to Georgia, and we continue to work with all three countries on their paths to European integration. We welcome the reports issued by the Commission, which are a necessary reference point in the next...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 together. Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ukraine continues to be a regular focus of discussions at EU level, most recently at the November Foreign Affairs Council where it was clear that Europe's commitment to supporting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 168 and 216 together. Engagement with my counterparts is a central part of my work and of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Within this context, we maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides information and advice to prepare citizens before travelling abroad, and offers an objective assessment of the risks they could face. The Department publishes clear, accessible and up-to-date Travel Advice for around 200 destinations, so that citizens can make informed choices about international travel on the basis of accurate and impartial information. Travel Advice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 190, 219 and 233 together. The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is deeply concerning and it is imperative that the international community works together to address the immediate crisis and to lay the foundations for a sustainable peace. I am determined that Ireland plays an active and meaningful role, within the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 183 together. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ireland supports initiatives to bring to account perpetrators of international crimes committed in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s aggression. As the first permanent international court with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The British Legacy Act received Royal Assent on 18 September. I am seriously concerned about the Act's impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland, and about its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. The incorporation of the Convention into Northern Ireland law was an explicit requirement of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have raised the case of the person in question and the family's desire for answers on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department met with the family in November 2021 and again in February of this year. On 24 February, I met with the family, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. The strength of the family's desire...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is deeply disappointing that 18 months on from the last assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and representatives of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In April 2021, the European Commission published the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), a proposed law that aims to regulate AI systems in the EU. Ireland very much supports a harmonised regulatory environment across the EU in relation to AI. It welcomes the risk-based approach to regulating AI. Given that AI has evolved significantly in the last months, it is important that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department, via the Passport Service, has responsibility for issuing all Irish Passports under the Passports Act 2008. The Passport Service continues to experience growth in demand from Irish citizens in relation to the processing and issuance of passports. This demand is expected to continue due to demographic changes, continued increases in overseas travel by Irish citizens and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Sanctions (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 180 together. Ireland has strongly supported EU sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine and emphasised the importance of effective implementation. The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Since February 2022, the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, by the Russian Federation has been of concern for the EU and its Member States for some time, and has become more acute since the illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February last year. In this regard, the Russian Federation has been seen to use a wide spectrum of tactics and techniques with the objective of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The European Union has made clear its concerns about Iran's supply of military equipment to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. These concerns were expressed most recently in the Conclusions of the European Council in October. They have also been raised in the context of discussions with Iran about certain EU sanctions in the military sector. The Iranian Government is well aware...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, has consistently called on China to use its influence on Russia to press them to bring an end to their illegal war in Ukraine. During my visit to Beijing last week, I raised Russia's war in Ukraine with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Vice President Han and with Minister Liu Jianchao. I underlined the impacts of the conflict on Ukraine and its people,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I visited China from the 6th to 9th November. In Beijing, I met with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and held a courtesy call with Minister Liu Jianchao. Those meetings were an opportunity to communicate Ireland’s priorities for our relationship with China and to emphasise the values which underpin our engagement. We had frank and constructive exchanges both...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: During the course of my duties as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I meet with various representatives both at home and abroad on a regular basis to further enhance Ireland’s position and reputation in the world. Since taking up this position, I have attended various meetings, conferences and events during which I interacted with multiple ambassadors. As regards those ambassadors or heads...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 204 and 205 together. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The purpose of a referral under Article 14 of the Rome Statute of the ICC is to request the Prosecutor to initiate an investigation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was disappointed by Prime Minister Orbán’s decision to meet with Vladimir Putin in China on 17 October. I do not believe that such outreach will serve to advance peace, but rather risks undermining the solidarity the EU has shown Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the EU provides a strong signal of EU unity in terms of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. I met the citizen recently and I fully appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. I have engaged with my counterpart in the jurisdiction on the case and the Embassy of...