Results 45,161-45,180 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: On the Magnitsky legislation, and the Deputy raised this at the time, the Department of Justice view was that we already had sufficient instruments that mirror the Magnitsky case, but again, I will go back because I know that the Deputy has been a very strong advocate for that and I have no issue at all with the principles behind that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. Ireland has in recent weeks engaged in several concrete initiatives regarding the conflict, all of which have been underpinned by our clear and principled position. In view of the unacceptable levels of violence being perpetrated by certain Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, in particular since 7 October 2023, I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do follow the BBC reports and I pay tribute to the BBC because I believe it has brought some sharp insights and has revealed and exposed a great deal, notwithstanding the limits and constraints on how it can operate within Gaza. The situation is shocking and we and I have condemned it. I disagree with Deputy Kenny's characterisation of Irish foreign policy. I invite Deputy Kenny to go...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Hear me out.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I ask the Deputy to hear me out for a second. I had not finished the sentence. I invite him to go to Israel, meet with the Israeli Government and find out first-hand what it thinks of the Irish Government's position or the Irish people's position. The Israeli Government does not think we have done nothing. I will leave it at that. We have shown leadership on all the concrete issues that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy knows the answer to his question about the occupied territories Bill. The European Union has a legal competence when it comes to trade. I do not agree with the Deputy that it would have the impact he says it would.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Europe has been proactive in certain respects in-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt the Deputy. He has asked questions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy does not allow me to answer the question he has put. I do not interrupt him. Europe has taken steps in respect of trying to identify goods that come from the settlements and the possibility that we would be in a position to boycott them. The most effective decision we have taken as a country within the European Union - it will be difficult, by the way, to get unanimity on this -...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 54 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes accountability of the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression. Ireland is one of 40 states, plus the European Union,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Lawless for his insights, which are valuable and important. Ultimately, this is also about accountability of those who perpetrate crimes of this kind against a civilian population and against a country. There must be accountability under international humanitarian law in the case of what is happening in the Middle East and, likewise, in Ukraine. Part of the challenges here...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The establishment of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression under the aegis of Eurojust gives the opportunity to do just that, to co-ordinate domestic investigations by EU member states and non-EU countries into the crime of aggression against Ukraine and to act as a central repository for evidence of that crime. Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 61 together. Along with our European Union partners, Ireland continues to engage internationally to build broad support for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine based on the Ukraine peace plan. It is up to Ukraine to determine the terms and conditions under which it should engage in peace negotiations. Russia has stepped up its large-scale...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's points are well made. There is a real fear in eastern European countries, in the Baltics in particular, not just among elected political representatives but among the people in these countries about Russia's positioning. If Russia gains further ground in Ukraine, these countries genuinely feel they are next. It is sinister and threatening that the Russian President has laid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As a representative of the Irish Government, we do not interfere in the political deliberations within the United States. There is a general election. It is democracy. People will make their choice. We have appreciated President Biden's transatlantic reach and the transformation in that relationship over the last number of years, the commitment to climate change and also the general...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I also take the opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane, her parents, Ollie and Roseanna, her sisters and all who knew and loved her. I was fortunate enough to meet Saoírse at Croke Park some years ago. I was very much struck by her radiant smile, her warm personality and her love of sports, including Gaelic games. Saoírse inspired so many...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept that. At the outset, the Deputy said that there was no new money this year; there was. Some €30 million has been made available. He said nothing had changed since the Government came in.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In fact, €98 million of new money has been provided since this Government came in for new medicines. I refer to 148 new medicines in the past three years, as well as 39 new drugs or new uses of existing drugs with an orphan designation. By orphan, we mean drugs for rare diseases and they are termed orphan drugs because of that. We spend €3 billion a year on medicines. That...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In the last three years there have been about 61 new drugs or new uses of existing drugs for use in oncology alone for cancer patients. It is a very rapidly moving area, particularly in terms of immunotherapy drugs and so on. The funding has gone up exponentially over time. We need a system to evaluate this and make sure we get best value for money. In principle, I am disposed to getting...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The most important point is that Ireland has not lost its moral compass on this issue. I think we should agree on that in this House. The situation in Gaza is absolutely catastrophic. I agree with Josep Borrell, the EU vice president and head of European foreign policy, when he said people should stop sending arms if they want an end to the conflict. Other countries should stop sending...