Results 47,821-47,840 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the case in question and the request to meet the family. While this is primarily a matter for the Department of Justice as it relates to a death that took place in this jurisdiction, I have asked officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs to meet with the family next week. I am conscious of the enormous loss and enduring suffering that bereaved families of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department is making increasing use of electronic methods of payment for improved security and more efficient business practices. To facilitate this, credit cards are issued to Diplomatic Missions where there is a specific business need, including a regular pattern of low value or infrequent payments, a need to make online payments, or where suppliers require a hold to be placed on an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is continuing with the planned expansion of Ireland’s mission network, in line with the Global Ireland Strategy. While a range of possible locations remains under review, there are currently no plans to open a new Consulate General in the Algarve region of Portugal. However, I am pleased to confirm that, following an open competition and completion of the associated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). Overall expenditure under both Votes for consultancy services engaged by my Department in 2023 and 2024 to date are set out in the table below. My Department engages external expertise in line with national and EU procurement rules when it is clear the skills...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, in February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez 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. I have continued to underline the importance of such a review at successive...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Navigation Orders (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Transport has confirmed that his Department is examining the allegations made in the media regarding civil aircraft flights and the carriage of munitions of war. I underline that it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign airspace without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Navigation Orders (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are extremely concerned by the situation in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. We are conscious of the ICJ's advisory opinion in respect of the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Any policy or activity that would in any way be supportive of the occupation would run contrary to the Irish position, and indeed the international legal position now with regard to the ICJ's advisory...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Navigation Orders (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, we take the matter very seriously. On behalf of the Department of Transport we have contacted the Belgian Government with a view to getting that information formally from the authorities in Belgium. I referred to the objective of the airlines because, ultimately, they can go miles outside of our sovereign airspace and they would not be in violation of our laws or the Chicago...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. Ireland's membership of the United Nations is at the heart of our foreign policy. We take seriously our obligation to translate the values and principles of the UN Charter into action. Ireland has had a long-standing policy of engagement throughout the entirety of the opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations. In practice, this means our...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have gone beyond words. I regret the Deputy does not have the generosity or the objectivity-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said "a little bit". Come off it. I do not agree with him and I have to disagree fundamentally with him.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has taken action in respect of the entire situation in the Middle East, not least the recognition of the State of Palestine, with Spain. We have called for a review of the association agreement, with Spain. We led the way in terms of our participation in the international courts, supported the ICJ advisory opinion in calling for it to be deliberated in the first instance, and also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy did not put down a question.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will deal with the occupied territories Bill. There is a question down later in respect of that. I believe in diplomacy and diplomatic channels. That has to be maintained. The Deputy does not, because he has already said-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt the Deputy. Can I have the floor, please? We could walk out for the speeches of ten ambassadors or permanent representatives at the UN because there are many countries whose policies we do not endorse. If everybody was to adopt a policy of walking out on one other's speeches, however, we would not have the UN General Assembly. With all its faults and flaws, the UN is,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: That involves many other conflicts, such as the Sudan crisis. There is the Russian war against Ukraine. There is the breach of human rights in many countries across the world. We could be walking out every second. Our permanent representative could be up and down like a-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is the reality. I am not trivialising it.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are terrible wars going on at the moment in the world, which is shocking, and which we condemn, by the way.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Export Controls (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment operates a rigorous and robust licence application process for the export of dual-use goods, which centres on a careful assessment of the proposed end user and end use. Under the Control of Exports Act 2023, which covers military and dual-use goods, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment may consult with any other Minister of the...