Results 43,921-43,940 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan it was regrettable that Israel was not present at the Union for Mediterranean regional forum last Monday. I picked up a determined approach from the Arab states that were available and other states in terms of the need for a credible pathway to peace. Egypt and Jordan's foreign ministers in particular have been active on this and put a lot of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes. I have said that repeatedly. That is a European Union position. There cannot be displacement of Palestinians. There cannot be reoccupation of Gaza by Israel. Europe agrees with that principle. The High Representative, Mr. Borrell, has made that point, but we believe there should be a Palestinian Authority in Gaza delivering services to Gazans, from medical health to education....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Kyiv was a crucial moment in this war and was a resolute demonstration that the future of Ukraine lies within the EU. This was the first Foreign Affairs Council to take place in such conditions, which reflects the special circumstances we are facing. Russia is showing no signs of relenting in its pursuit of a war of aggression against a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have witnessed very good progress on the EU issue and the membership application by Ukraine to join the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress in fulfilling the key recommendations set out for it. In June 2022 candidate status was granted to Ukraine on the understanding that it would undertake reforms. On 8 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, to speak to Deputy Devlin I condemn the use of cluster bombs. It is reprehensible and cluster munitions are shocking. They have terrible impacts on children and on families after the war. Ireland will help in any way we can to de-mine the battlefield. Deputy Griffin also made a very important point to maintain momentum in this war. This is a horrible war. Some 7 million...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, a trilateral memorandum of understanding with Israel and Egypt on co-operation relating to trade, transport and the export of natural gas to the European Union was signed by the European Commission on 15 June 2022. Ireland supports the agreement, which is a timely initiative that will strengthen energy security across the European Union. The legal framework for the EU-Israel...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: For clarity, UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, calls on all states to distinguish in their relevant dealings between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. This resolution reflects the position already held by Ireland, the European Union and the UN for many years. Ireland regrets that the main text of the agreement does...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point. There is a genuine view in Germany in respect of its relationship with Israel that I would say transcends economic issues and is rooted in the historic position of the Holocaust and Germany's role in the Holocaust. Many current leaders, and, indeed, those before, including Chancellors Merkel and Scholz, from different ends of the political spectrum, would be clear...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We do not do sanctions on our own. We do sanctions with the European Union and United Nations. We pursue those sanctions. At UN Security Council level, we secured an important clause to ensure that, in any sanction regimes, there would be a provision for humanitarian corridors in situations of dire humanitarian need. Our best role in the European Union is to bring about influence on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for the applications have been received. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. These applications are within their turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard the specific application referred to by the Deputy, the Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department is committed to making every effort to pay our suppliers promptly. Where this does not happen within the prescribed timeframe, the creditor is entitled to late payment interest and automatic compensation. The amount paid in late payment interest and compensation in respect of late payments for good and services provided to the Department for each of the years 2016 to 2023 is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not been required to transpose any EU Directives over the past 5 years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In June of this year, the Government organised a four-day Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, which provided an opportunity for a serious and honest conversation about the foreign, security and defence policy options available to the State and the international environment that we currently face. The Forum consisted of some 80 people moderating or speaking on 18 panels,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These Regulations provide for a minimum height requirement for enlistment of 157.48cm. The height requirement currently in place was introduced following detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is committed to paying its suppliers promptly and complying fully with all provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 and subsequent regulation. Details of the annual amount of interest paid in respect of late payments to suppliers, service providers and contractors for goods and services supplied to my Department and to the Defence Forces from 2016 to the year to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: EU Directive Est. Date of Transposition Deadline for Transposition Directive (EU) 2022/2557 on the resilience of critical entities 17 October 2024 17 October 2024

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

Micheál Martin: The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s co-operation and engagement with our EU partners is an essential part of the response to the geopolitical challenges that we face. We are committed to deepening relationships and alliances with EU Member States, as we are with the EU Institutions. Ireland has a long-standing policy of maintaining embassies in each EU Member State – reflective of the value we place...