Results 6,241-6,260 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: 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”. In the light of the current crisis in Gaza, there are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Addressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key priority for the Government. Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with the United States government and U.S. political representatives. The Government actively...

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

Micheál Martin: Russia should be held accountable for the appalling damage it is causing in Ukraine. Ireland is actively involved in discussions on exploring the use of immobilised assets to cover the costs of reconstruction in Ukraine. Ireland participates in the Ad Hoc Working Group established by the European Council to analyse the legal, financial, economic and political feasibility of this...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been to the forefront of international efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed by Russia in the course of its illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to the territory of Russia and Belarus. Ireland has raised this issue at multilateral fora, both in our national capacity and as part of the European Union. Ireland...

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

Micheál Martin: The return of large numbers of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is placing a considerable strain on what is already a very fragile humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and is placing many vulnerable persons, including women and girls, in a precarious situation. Pakistan has long been a global example of refugee protection stewardship and Ireland calls on it to preserve this decades-long...

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

Micheál Martin: As previously outlined, under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of...

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

Micheál Martin: I have been fully engaged in efforts to free the hostages currently held in Gaza. My particular priority of course was to advocate through every channel possible for the release of Irish citizen Emily Hand, a young Irish-Israeli girl taken hostage on 7 October. I was delighted and relieved that Emily was released last the weekend and has been reunited with her family. After weeks of...

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

Micheál Martin: Engaging with Northern Ireland's political and civic leaders, and with my counterparts in the British Government, has been a key priority since my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in December 2022. This has been a consistent theme throughout my parliamentary career and is one that I take particularly seriously in the context of the Government's responsibilities as...

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

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in the West Bank. Since the attacks by Hamas on 7 October, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, there has also been a sharp rise in settler violence in the West Bank. We have seen the displacement of Palestinian communities and reports of maltreatment of Palestinian detainees and prisoners. This is unacceptable and also very dangerous. The...

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

Micheál Martin: The return of large numbers of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is placing a considerable strain on what is already a very fragile humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and is placing many vulnerable persons, including women and girls, in a precarious situation. Pakistan has long been a global example of refugee protection stewardship and Ireland calls on it to preserve this decades-long...

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

Micheál Martin: In the Good Friday Agreement, the participants, including the two Governments 'committed to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between these islands.' It is my firm view that progress towards a better, more reconciled, Northern Ireland is best delivered through partnership between the two Governments,...

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

Micheál Martin: I did not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when I visited Israel in mid November. I did however have an open and frank exchange of views with the Prime Minister during my visit to Israel in early September. During that meeting, I raised a number of the Government’s concerns, underlining in particular Ireland’s deep concern at the continued expansion of...

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

Micheál Martin: Engagement between my Department and the Ambassador of Israel to Ireland is routinely carried out at senior official level. Such engagement is frequent and particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The current Ambassador of Israel to Ireland, Dana Erlich, presented her credentials on 20 September. In...

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

Micheál Martin: I have been very clear on Ireland’s position on the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deeply concerning. Ensuring a durable humanitarian ceasefire is a key focus of our international engagement, including in my discussions with EU partners and my counterparts in the region. We must also secure effective...

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

Micheál Martin: 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”. In the light of the current crisis in Gaza, there are...

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

Micheál Martin: Facilitating reconciliation and connection between communities is at the heart of Good Friday Agreement, which shapes and informs all of the Government's engagement in Northern Ireland. To this end, the Government engages across the community and with people from all political traditions in Northern Ireland. Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs I have made numerous...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has committed over €210 million in bilateral support to Ukraine since February 2022. Funding by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine since February 2022 includes €20 million and €19 million in humanitarian support in 2022 and 2023 respectively; €20 million to the World Bank Group for the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Co-financing of the Public...

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

Micheál Martin: It is greatly disappointing that almost 18 months on from the last Assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked. As a result, the North South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. It is clear from my contacts in Northern Ireland that there is deep frustration at this...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland enjoys good diplomatic relations with the state of Qatar. Ambassador Milton in Abu Dhabi is accredited to Qatar, and presented her credentials to the Emir in May 2023. Ambassador Al Attiyah, based in London, represents Qatar in Ireland, and presented his credentials to President Higgins in December 2022. The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs visited Dublin in February...

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

Micheál Martin: I have spoken twice in recent weeks to the Prime and Foreign Minister of Qatar in relation to the current crisis in the Middle East, and in particular the position of Irish citizens in Gaza, as well as the hostages being held by Hamas. I am grateful for the help of Qatar in this respect, particularly in relation to the case of Emily Hand. The Taoiseach also met with the Prime and Foreign...