Results 45,941-45,960 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to Egypt and Jordan from 23 – 25 April 2024 as part of this Government’s continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both Egypt and Jordan are at the forefront of regional and international efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza, address the dire humanitarian situation and resume a meaningful political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Media Sector (2 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: In December 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the establishment of the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund (GIMCF) on a pilot basis. The Fund aims to support the provision of information about major geo-political developments and the changing nature of Ireland’s role in the world, to the public in Ireland, by helping build the capacity of Irish media outlets to...

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Fiche nóiméad?

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Idir an Taoiseach agus mé féin?

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: An bhfuil tusa ag labhairt?

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will go ahead. Táimid á roinnt.

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: This debate is an opportunity for us to step away from the day-to-day arguments that dominate our discussions in Europe and a challenge to each of us to reflect on the overall importance of the European Union to promoting or sovereignty, culture and economy. By every significant measure, membership of the European Union is essential for Ireland. Membership not only matters for Ireland but...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I think the latter issue will come up in a later question. I will respond on the question as tabled. As Deputies will recall, South Africa initiated its case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice by filing an application with the court on 29 December 2023. South Africa also sought a number of provisional measures pending the outcome of the case....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: We should endeavour to be fair, straight and honest with people. I have never deviated. I have been consistent from the outset about how the ICJ operates. We have been consistent with how we responded to the Ukrainian situation. Sinn Féin's motion talked about Ireland indicating a willingness to file. I made it clear that first South Africa needs to file its memorial, and that takes...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Confirm which?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, in terms of the declaration of intervention, we would be making it under Article 63. States do not join one side or another in filing an intervention in the case. Rather, they submit a statement that sets out their interpretation of one or more provisions of whatever convention is at issue before the court. This declaration of intervention must then be deemed admissible by the court...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I pay tribute to the team and all of the staff working at the passport service. It has issued 450,000 passports to date this year and is on track to have issued half a million passports by the end of this month. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times. The passport service is well-staffed and in an excellent position to deliver...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The first point I would make is there is a balance as well. We have to consistently tell people to remember to get their passports updated, to apply online and in time. We do everything we possibly can to facilitate urgent cases. Most people in the House would acknowledge that, and we will continue to do it. However, we do not want to create a new scenario whereby people think they can...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are doing so. The manner in which we have approached this issue is to increase the number of appointments at public counters for the one-day or four-day renewal service at the Mount Street office in Dublin and the four-day renewal service in Cork. As I said, every week there are about 221 one-day and 264 four-day renewal appointments available in Dublin and 280 four-day renewal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for her kind comments. As she is aware, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 14 February of this year, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement. The letter further requested that the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Deputy's contribution. She is correct that when the EU signs and supports association agreements, these clauses have to mean something. I refer in particular to Israel's compliance with the essential elements clause of the agreement. The Commission needs to carry out a review. Josep Borrell has initiated a discussion on this, and I understand some work has been done in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, trade relations between the European Union and Israel are governed by a free trade area as part of the EU-Israel association agreement. That agreement was signed as far back as 1995 and entered into force in 2000. It forms a basis for relations between the European Union and Israel, governing the trade relationship as well as including political aspects. The last...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Griffin for his question and kind remarks. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine remains a grave threat to all of Europe. Russia is demonstrating a clear desire to continue escalation and has projected momentum on the battlefield in recent weeks, taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortage of military material, particularly air defence, by launching...