Results 7,661-7,680 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Missions (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Global humanitarian needs have reached an all-time high in 2023. The UN estimates that 345 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 69 countries. Through our international development programme, Ireland has responded to the high levels of need with increased humanitarian funding. In 2022, Ireland’s swift responses to the Ukraine crisis and the danger of famine in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The development of a free, open, peaceful and secure cyber space to facilitate economic and social development is an important objective for this Government and my Department. As part of the whole-of-Government approach as outlined in the 2019 – 2024 National Cyber Security Strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs plays an active role on international cyber issues, in close...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the North South Ministerial Council to develop consultation, cooperation, and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the Administrations. It also provided for the establishment of North South Implementation Bodies to progress North South cooperation in agreed areas....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Jun 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 absence of progress towards a two-State solution,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for asking this question about the very important work that the Department is undertaking to mitigate climate change. The Management Board of the Department published the Climate Action Roadmap on 21stMarch 2023. The Deputy can view the document here: Climate-Action-Roadmap-DFA-2023.pdf The headline targets in this Roadmap commit the Department to reducing Green House...

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

Micheál Martin: I am deeply saddened by the killing of two-year-old Mohammed Tamimi and extend my condolences to the family. The death of Mohammed marked a further tragic milestone in a year that has witnessed a shocking increase in the number of civilian casualties. As the occupying power, Israel is required to protect civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. Against the backdrop of this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the widespread expansion of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new context that was not previously present for many cross-border workers. My Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, are actively engaged on a range of issues relating to cross-border working on the island of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a consistent policy on the status of Western Sahara, and its potential future constitutional arrangements. As per the United Nations position, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. Our long-standing policy is to support the UN Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. We do not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective implementation and operation of the Good Friday Agreement across all three Strands is a key priority for this Government. It is a matter of great regret that, twenty-five years on from the Agreement being signed, its institutions are not being allowed to deliver to their full capacity for the benefit of the people of this island. The people of Northern Ireland are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In Stormont House in 2014, the two Governments and most of Northern Ireland's parties agreed a way forward on legacy which would meet the needs of victims, uphold human rights and contribute to reconciliation. This approach endorsed was again in the Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach agreements. However, in May 2022, with the publication of its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, and the EU, believe that the long-standing US economic embargo against Cuba serves no constructive purpose and believe the US unilateral measures against Cuba should be ended. It is our position that the USA’s economic, commercial and financial embargo contributes to the economic crisis in Cuba, negatively affecting the living standards of the Cuban people and resulting in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive. While in Belfast last week I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running, although differences of perspectives between parties. I believe there is a window of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 142 together. Last month, my Department published its new Statement of Strategy, which focuses on how the Department will seek to implement commitments set out in the Programme for Government to meet international challenges between 2023 and 2025. Among the goals set out in our Statement of Strategy is supporting peace and reconciliation at home,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The values and framework of the Good Friday Agreement, across its three Strands, are the foundation on which relationships across these islands are built, within Northern Ireland (Strand One), on this island (Strand Two), and East West (Strand Three). The Agreement directly informs how the two Governments engage on a range of policy issues, in particular at this time the urgent need to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement across all its three strands is a key priority. Critical to this is the restoration of the Assembly and Executive, to give effect to the mandate given by the people of Northern Ireland in May 2022. The absence of a functioning Executive impacts on Strand Two of the Agreement, given the interoperability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive. I was in Belfast last week and while I was there I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running. I believe there is a window of opportunity following the local...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Good Friday Agreement is the agreed framework for relations across these islands. At the heart of the Agreement is parity of esteem, and a set of values which enable relations to be taken forward meaningfully, including a shared commitment to mutual respect and the civil and religious rights of all. It affirms the right to pursue democratically national and political aspirations,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The values and framework of the Good Friday Agreement, across its three Strands, are the foundation on which relationships across these islands are built, within Northern Ireland (Strand One), on this island (Strand Two), and East West (Strand Three). The Agreement directly informs how the two Governments engage on a range of policy issues, in particular at this time the urgent need to...