Results 2,021-2,040 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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 Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan and the other Deputies for raising the question. There is concern in the Ukrainian Government that we are losing sight of the war on Ukraine. It is not getting the same attention and focus within the House. What has happened to the children in Ukraine is abominable. It is very hard to comprehend how human beings can essentially deport 20,000 children having taken...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I take issue with what the Deputy said in respect of his reference to the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. The Deputy said we "can dispute". The Minister has said categorically that no such phone call took place. It is not a question. It is important for the record of the House that we put that on record. The Minister spoke to me regarding it. We have to be fair to everybody and not continue...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----which has been endorsed-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes the Deputy does not like what I have to say and he interrupts. The bottom line is that is action. That is my point. As soon as the opinion was issued, Ireland went back in and cosponsored a resolution to give effect to it and call on states to implement it. That is action.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is not just words.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Two and a half years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges. With the Taoiseach, I recently announced a €36 million package of support for Ukraine and its immediate neighbours, which builds on the extensive political, humanitarian, military and economic support provided since February 2022. It will provide much-needed humanitarian...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for what he said. The figure we have is $486 billion over the next decade. That figure rises every day. I mentioned the nature of modern warfare. It is entirely destructive. Rulers are now targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, houses, schools, hospitals and so forth. Ireland has engaged in discussions on short-term recovery efforts in preparation for a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European Union is not sending weapons.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European Union as an entity.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: They are sovereign, independent countries. The European Union is not sending weapons to Israel. For the sake of the public, we need clarity in the debate. The Middle East is complex enough. I think everyone in this House is consistent and unified in wanting this war to end.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: France, for example, will have strong interests in trying to protect Lebanon. It does not support the bombardment and has been trying, with the US, to get an agreement between Hezbollah, the Israeli military and the Israeli Government, to no avail, over the last 12 months. When the Hamas attack on Gaza happened, Hezbollah, in solidarity with Hamas, started firing rockets into Israel. A...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Deputy will recall that the Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, made a submission to the court in respect of this. In its advisory opinion, the court...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Bill or no Bill, that would unfortunately not stop Israel from what it is doing. What it is doing in the West Bank is reprehensible. I take issue with this latest sort of propaganda that it is just words and not action. I do not accept that and will not accept it. I will consistently rebut that argument because Ireland has taken action and will continue to take action on all levels. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. I attended the extraordinary videoconference meeting of EU foreign ministers on 30 September. I welcomed High Representative Borrell's decision to convene this meeting given the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the emerging escalation in Lebanon in particular. During the meeting, I underlined Ireland's deep...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The overwhelming criticism in this House over the last year has been criticism of Israel. Let us be clear about that. That should not exclude criticism and condemnation of actions by Hezbollah or Hamas or of the malign role of Iran in the evolution of the conflict and the wars across the Middle East. The broadest perspective should always be brought to the House and should inform the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Visits (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: On that latter point, I met with Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds. He is very much on top of his brief early on. Ireland stands ready to facilitate the warmest of relations between the United Kingdom and the EU because that is also of benefit to Ireland and to Europe. We will continue to be supportive of sensible and intelligent reviews of existing trade agreements between the European Union...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy saying that military aircraft with tonnes of arms are landing?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I just wanted to clarify that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I had not heard the earlier part of the question. That is why I sought clarification. I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together. 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 for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is only...