Results 43,821-43,840 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (22 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have been consistently clear that International Humanitarian Law applies in all conflicts, in all circumstances, to state and non-state actors alike. All potential violations of International Humanitarian Law, by state and non-state parties, should be thoroughly investigated. I have also underlined repeatedly that Israel’s response to the attacks of 7 October must comply with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I mentioned in my response to the Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy, the Government has allocated €776.5 million in 2024 to Vote 27 - International Cooperation. This is an increase of €60 million on the 2023 Revised Estimate for Vote 27. Decisions taken as part of Budget 2024 were consistent with and within the overall envelope of the expenditure increases...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the the conflict in Gaza, and the dreadful impact it is having on civilians. The loss of life is shocking and the humanitarian situation is unconscionable, which is why Ireland has been to the fore in calling urgently for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. These events have raised serious questions of compliance with international law, in particular...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In January of this year, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025. This will be the eighth occasion on which the Defence Forces have been part of an EU Battlegroup and the first since 2020. The Battlegroup will be stood-up during 2024 and will be on standby throughout 2025. It is currently foreseen that the total number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is no plan to review the decision to withdraw the Defence Forces' Infantry Group from the UNDOF mission next year .The placement Troop Contributing Country (TCC) has been selected to take over the role of the Force Reserve Company, following the scheduled Irish departure in April 2024. Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' contingent and their replacement is well advanced,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I, other Ministers, and officials within my Department, as well as other Ministers and Departments in government, are in ongoing contact with counterparts across the European Union on range of issues. In relation to issues of a financial nature, Ministers at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to the region from 14-16 November as part of the Government’s continuing and intensive engagement on the current crisis in Israel and Gaza. A key focus was the situation of Irish citizens in Gaza and the case of an Irish citizen who is believed to be held hostage in Gaza. My engagements during the visit also provided an opportunity to repeat my call for an immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: While my Department does not have personnel assigned to a role with a significant or exclusive focus on integration, on-going work on our Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan aims to make the Department more diverse and inclusive.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens and accompanying dependents from Gaza that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to leave Gaza. Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application referenced by the Deputy, this application has been approved.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application referenced by the Deputy, this application is incomplete. The Passport Service contacted the applicant on 22 November 2023 to outline the additional documents that are required to approve the application. The Passport Service cannot process the application until these documents have been received.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Through our Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv, our Representative Office in Ramallah and our Consular Directorate in Ireland, my Department has to date assisted 56 Irish citizens and accompanying dependents to leave Gaza, and with arrangements for onward travel to Ireland. A small number of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. We will continue to work with the relevant authorities on any additional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In 2022, my Department received and processed 272 valid Freedom of Information requests of which 68 were issued with decisions refusing access to the requested records. Up to 20 November 2023, my Department received 251 valid Freedom of Information requests of which 58 were issued with decisions refusing access to the requested records. All valid Freedom of Information requests for access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Airport Security is a matter for the Airport Authorities in cooperation with AGS, and as such, not a matter for this Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, passports have been issued to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens and accompanying dependents from Gaza that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to leave Gaza. Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.