Results 47,001-47,020 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: In my view, local authority housing is fundamentally an issue for the local authority to deal with. It should have sufficient capacity to get in early to repair, refurbish or eliminate issues that give rise to mould developing in the first place.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: In this Dáil and Oireachtas, we constantly talk about local autonomy and local government, but every time something happens, we want to say the Government must do it. Local authorities have responsibility for their housing stock. It is interesting; in the affordable housing schemes, they maintain their housing schemes and their houses. Local authorities need to do the same. Maybe,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I spoke earlier on this. There is no reluctance to strengthen the Act. I do not believe local authorities have been strong enough in enforcing the Act. That is a view I have. They might argue it takes too long and there are legal issues and so on which can go on forever. There are other ways to refurbish streetscapes and town centres. We also have to think about our town centres,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I meant that in a spirit of-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I think An Ceann Comhairle understands where I am coming from.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I would be happy to participate in something An Ceann Comhairle convenes.

Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024: First Stage (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Comedy, is it?

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the adoption of European Union sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, adopted on 19 March 2024. I also welcome that the EU has adopted sanctions against Hamas for sexual and gender-based violence committed on 7 October. Ireland has continued to push for further sanctions against violent West Bank settlers at an EU level. Following Ireland's advocacy, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is in a strong position to deal with the current volume of applications during the busy summer season. As I mentioned earlier, over 625,000 passports have been issued to date. Passport turnaround times are: • 10 working days for simple adult online renewals • 15 working days for complex or child online renewals • 20 working days for first time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 28 together. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments have a shared duty to deliver on the vision and commitments of the Agreement that provide the overarching framework for deepening peace, political stability and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Effectively addressing the painful legacy of the Troubles has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: In February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 29 together. Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine on 28 May was a very significant moment in the long-standing bilateral relationship between Ireland and Palestine. Ireland’s support for the Palestinian people is underpinned by several pillars of our international engagement. This includes our active advocacy and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 35 and 44 together. On 24 June, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, where Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine was a key focus of discussion. As is now common practice, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, joined us by VC at the beginning of the discussion. I greatly value this regular opportunity to hear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 54 together. Since the beginning of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression, the response of the European Union has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It is crucial that we maintain this resolve and support for Ukraine at this critical time. Russia’s brutal invasion has had appalling consequences for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 30 together. In February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 18...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 39 and 52 together. Since the beginning of this crisis, I have been in regular contact with my counterparts in European Union Member States and the EU institutions, pressing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Ireland has also consistently pushed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

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 is currently issuing the vast majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 36 and 59 together. As we approach the tenth month of the conflict in Gaza, the utmost priority remains the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. I welcome the three-phase ceasefire plan outlined by President Biden at the beginning of this month. This has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Heritage Projects (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department will liaise with relevant authorities in Ireland in the first instance to review the current circumstances, or existence, of the crown of Brian Boru, former High King of Ireland. This matter is unconfirmed at present and a question of some dispute among historical experts.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: In my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have met in-person with the British Foreign Secretary on three occasions. The Deputy will be aware that this position was held by the Home Secretary James Cleverly from September 2022 to November 2023. The then Foreign Secretary and I first met in-person at the Munich Security Conference in February 2023, following a call earlier that...