Results 43,581-43,600 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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: Shannon Airport Facilities (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have addressed the wider issues relating to Ireland’s approach to the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on frequent occasions over recent weeks so I will focus my response on issues relating to diplomatic clearance for military aircraft, and the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft. Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Inquiries (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no tribunals, public investigation or commissions of investigations currently underway.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Our Common Agenda (OCA) is the UN Secretary-General's vision for the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism, and for turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to better respond to and deliver for people and planet. It outlines possible solutions to address the gaps and risks that have emerged since 2015, calling...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland is deeply concerned at Russia’s failure to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This initiative was vital in delivering life-saving food products from Ukraine to countries most impacted by food insecurity. We support efforts of Turkey and the UN Secretary General to restore the deal and put on a sustainable footing. Ukraine has since made some progress in pushing back the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: This year marked the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a transformative moment for the people of this island, the islands of Ireland and Great Britain, and the people of Northern Ireland in particular. The Agreement set a new, democratic framework for relationships between and within these islands. The principles of the Good Friday Agreement underpins the work to restore...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together. 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. In my engagements, I have underlined the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 81 together. I have addressed the wider issues relating to Ireland’s approach to the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on frequent occasions over recent weeks so I will focus my response on issues relating to diplomatic clearance for military aircraft. Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military...

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

Micheál Martin: On 27 October, the President of the General Assembly reconvened the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, following a request by Jordan and Mauritania in their respective capacities as Chair of the Arab Group and Chair of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. This emergency special session was first convened in 1997 in accordance with Resolution 377(V) of 3 November...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Respect for international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, is the bedrock of international peace and security. This will continue to be the guiding principle for Ireland’s approach to foreign policy in general, and in the context of Ireland’s response to the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Respect...