Results 6,541-6,560 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department raises issues of concern directly with the Embassy where appropriate. In relation to the comments made by an Israeli Embassy official on social media, I understand that they were deleted and a clarification was issued by the Embassy noting that the comments did not represent the position...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The British Government's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received Royal Assent on 18 September. How the Act will impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland, and its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights, are of serious concern. The incorporation of the Convention into Northern Ireland law was an explicit requirement of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is aware of the case of an Irish citizen believed to be held hostage in Gaza and is providing extensive consular assistance to the citizen's family. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for me to comment further at this time as it would not be helpful to do so. I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is open to looking at ways to improve the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). We believe it is important that we continue to explore ways to make the EU run as effectively as possible, delivering benefits for all its citizens. Article 31 (3) of the Treaty on European Union (commonly referred to as the passarelle clause) states that the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The expenditure of €6,073,768 set out in the reply to PQ Ref 48042/12 dated 7 November was incurred in respect of six separate contracts. One contract for travel services related to UNIFIL in Lebanon was below national thresholds.One contract for ground handling charges at Ben Gurion Airport was below national thresholds.One competition to procure Ground Surveillance Radar equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 16 and 18 together. 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: While Irish Aid has not directly funded human rights or rule of law NGOs in Georgia in the past 12 months, Ireland, through our membership of the European Union, and particularly the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe) programme, continues to support human rights and the rule of law in Georgia. For...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have had regular engagements with my EU counterparts since the beginning of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Immediately following attack by Hamas, I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In recent weeks I have spoken with a number of Foreign Ministers of member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza. These have included the Palestinian Foreign Minister, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkiye and Qatar. Later this week I intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Under the Global Ireland Strategy’s commitment to double Ireland’s global footprint and impact by 2025, work has been stepped up in recent years to enhance Ireland's engagement with the thirty-three countries across Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean. The ambitious regional 'Global Ireland Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025' outlines the strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the wider region remains a matter of deep concern to my EU counterparts and I, particularly in light of the fallout from the military action initiated by Azerbaijan in the region on 19 September. Ireland’s focus remains on ensuring the welfare and protection of any civilians who remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, and of those who have fled to Armenia. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the launch of Russia's illegal invasion in February 2022, EU Member States have consistently demonstrated their steadfast support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. I am not aware of any evidence to suggest that EU officials have attempted to pressure Ukraine into premature negotiations or to exchange sovereign Ukrainian territory in exchange for peace. Indeed,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have recently completed a four-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been a strong proponent of multilingualism and encouraging of the greatest possible access by all EU citizens to the EU and its Institutions and highlighted this at the General Affairs Council in September where the proposal from the Spanish Government was first discussed. It was clear at that meeting that further consideration of all potential implications, including any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland maintains close contact with the Colombian Government across all levels, reflecting the fact that we enjoy excellent and wide-ranging relations. Ireland continues to actively support peacebuilding in Colombia as a key priority, with a view to ensuring a peaceful future for all Colombians. We remain firmly committed to supporting in particular the implementation of the 2016 Colombian...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (15 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation of Defence Forces personnel in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) in such areas as:C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices)EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)Combat Medical TrainingEngineering Training.On 25 July, the Government approved the Defence Forces'...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Child Safety (14 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. There are plans in place for a meeting to take place this month with this citizen. I can appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. The Embassy of Ireland has engaged...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland strongly supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. The Court has jurisdiction over these crimes where they are alleged to have been committed on the territory of a State Party to the Statute of the Court, or by a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I support the right of people everywhere to engage in peaceful protest. The rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of individuals are fundamental human rights, and as such peaceful protests should not be unnecessarily curtailed. While it is important that demonstrators protest peacefully, it is equally important that policing of demonstrations is carried out...