Results 47,921-47,940 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon in recent days, including continuing Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel, Israel's massive aerial bombardments and ground incursions across the Blue Line by the Israeli Defence Forces. Recent developments in Lebanon represent a further dangerous escalation in an already tense and fragile region. I call for an immediate ceasefire,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. UN Security Council Resolution 2703, adopted on 30 October 2023, extended the mandate of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland uses various platforms to raise issues in respect of Cuba. These include through our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and through our EU partners, whenever appropriate. Ireland also engages with the Embassy of Cuba in Dublin, through our Embassy in Mexico, to which Ireland is accredited to Cuba, and through the various dialogue mechanisms that are provided under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since his appointment in July, I have had a number of engagements with the Secretary of State on legacy issues. I spoke to him on his first day in office, and have met with him in Belfast and in Oxford. I also discussed legacy with the Foreign Secretary on the day of his appointment, and met with him in Dublin on 3 October. I welcome the British Government's stated intention to repeal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Reconciliation Fund, administered by my Department continues to make a vital and effective contribution to peace on these islands through its support for reconciliation based projects in a range of sectoral and geographical areas. The Fund continually seeks to broaden its reach in terms of organisations funded. At the beginning of 2024, the Reconciliation Fund team engaged in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. In considering any application for such an exemption, the Department of Transport consults with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government’s legal advice is that the Occupied Territories Bill is not compatible with EU law, as the EU has exclusive competence for external trade. The Government’s approach has not changed since the matter was considered by the Oireachtas in 2018 and 2019 and it has not been the focus of any recent engagement on my part, with Israeli or other counterparts. Engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions which include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. Under the programme, the following capital works in the DFTC, (Curragh Camp, Kildare) are completed or nearing completion:Cadet SchoolEngineers Logistics OfficeEngineer StoresNew Electric Target RangeUpgrade of Accommodation at Plunkett Barracks The Deputy may also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together. At the outset I want to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to support all of the Defence Force personnel who are serving in Lebanon during these very volatile times. The situation in Lebanon is still tense and unpredictable. Both I and the Government are deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The granting of Annual Leave to members of the Permanent Defence Force is governed by Defence Forces Regulations. I am advised by the Military Authorities that under these Regulations, a member may carry forward annual leave not granted or availed of in the leave year concerned, to a subsequent leave year, subject to a maximum of 24 days in the case of Commissioned Officers; 19 days in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Is oth liom a rá gur uafásach ar fad an méid a dúirt an Teachta Dála. Tá sé ag iarraidh comparáid nó juxtaposition a dhéanamh idir an méid atá déanta i gcúrsaí oideachais agus an infheistíocht i gcúrsaí sláinte. Tá infheistíocht an-mhór déanta i gcúrsaí sláinte i...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy sincerely for raising the issue and for her comments. I do not have an update on the report I received as I arrived in the Chamber of firing on UNIFIL positions. I expect to get a comprehensive report on that, which I will share with people generally. It illustrates the high-risk and dangerous environment peacekeepers now operate within and the need for an immediate...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I spent two to two and half hours on Sunday morning listening to numerous presentations from our military leaders, the Chief of Staff, the deputy chief of staff and the director of operations, and the Defence Forces have advised that, despite recent media reports, there is both fresh food and contingency food packs available, certainly at UN position 2-45. The outpost has about 20 days'...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The United States has a key role to play in the Middle East, with regard to security in the region as a whole and as regards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in Gaza. President Biden, Secretary Blinken and the US administration are working hard to achieve a ceasefire and to bring about a diplomatic solution. This is the only path to ensuring lasting security between Israel...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU-Israel Association Agreement provides the legal basis for trade relations between the EU and its Member States and Israel. The Agreement provides that the relations between parties will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which constitute an 'essential element' of that Agreement. In February 2024, the then Taoiseach, together with Prime Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Government’s legal advice is that the Occupied Territories Bill is not compatible with EU law, as the EU has exclusive competence for external trade. A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. To adopt an approach that runs contrary to legal advice would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 45 together. On 6 and 7 September, I attended the annual British Irish Association conference in Oxford. I have published the text of my remarks to the conference, in which I spoke about this Government’s commitment to supporting the work of the Northern Ireland Executive, the importance of political stability in Northern Ireland, and the need...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Iran has twice attacked Israel directly this year. The first of these, in April, brought the region to the brink of a wider war. On that occasion, both sides de-escalated. After the second Iranian missile attack on 1 October, which involved up to 200 missiles fired at Israel, the risk of regional escalation and conflict is again very real. I have strongly...