Results 2,101-2,120 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the situation of Irish citizens in Lebanon. Throughout the current crisis, my Department, including through our Embassy in Cairo, has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon. As part of ongoing consular coordination amongst states, we worked closely with our EU, UK and other partners to exchange information and...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 60 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people. Recognising the disproportionate impact of the war on women and children, Ireland will continue to prioritise the protection of all vulnerable groups and the prevention of sexual and gender based violence. Ireland also supports a gender-responsive and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have repeatedly condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. In August 2024, on the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, I issued a statement strongly condemning the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban...

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

Micheál Martin: I had a constructive meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, on a range of issues when I attended the British Irish Association conference on 6-7 September in Oxford. This followed on earlier engagements with him, shortly after his appointment. I have been consistent in my view that issues around reform are best addressed from a position of stability, when...

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

Micheál Martin: The rise in far-right non-state actors is a matter of serious concern for this Government. Misinformation and disinformation is being used to sow division across the EU and beyond, and is driving the propagation of far-right narratives. Democracies depend on reliable information and trust in democratic processes. Disinformation campaigns, and foreign information manipulation and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I attended the 79th UN General Assembly in New York last month alongside the President, Taoiseach, Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Sean Fleming. The President addressed the plenary session of the Summit of the Future, focusing on poverty, hunger, and UN reform. He held bilateral meetings with leaders from Barbados, Malawi and South Africa, and also had engagements with other...

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

Micheál Martin: The situation in Palestine is a central priority for the Government and a key focus of my international engagement. I welcome that I had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa during UN High Level Week in September, enabling a detailed exchange of views on the situation on the ground as well as on Ireland's ongoing support for the Palestinian Authority. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reviews (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In recent years, my Department has consistently demonstrated the capacity to respond and adapt to a rapidly changing international environment while continuing to serve the interests of Irish citizens at home and abroad. Underpinning this has been a commitment in our Statement of Strategy to strengthening our effectiveness by reviewing our systems and structures on an ongoing basis, building...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 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. This is a dangerous escalation. In a recent statement I underlined that the recent breaches of the Blue Line are in violation of UN Security Council...

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

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the Palestinian family member of an Irish citizen who has been granted a visa to travel to Ireland but who has not yet been able to exit Gaza in order to do so. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is aware of this case and has been providing assistance to the family since late last year. I want to recognise that this is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland actively collaborates with both the European Union and the United Nations to address the threat of international terrorism. In particular, the need for greater international cooperation on strategic approaches to address the underlying factors that contribute to terrorist activities in accordance with international law, human rights and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Actively communicating the work of the European Union and explaining the benefits and opportunities arising from membership is essential to ensuring a robust, united and democratic Europe. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, set out the political guidelines for the incoming Commission in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 18th July last....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 886,000 passports this year to date. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times and the majority of adult online renewals are being processed within 2 working days. It is important to note that processing times for Passport Online...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is a priority for the international, multilateral system and a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Ireland contributes actively to United Nations and European Union efforts to prevent, monitor and eliminate human rights violations and abuses. There are a number of active mechanisms in place to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been, and remains, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary criteria for membership. We believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are currently nine candidate countries for EU membership. Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022. Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate status in 2022, and accession negotiations were opened earlier this year. The screening of the acquis for both countries is continuing. Georgia was granted candidate status in 2023, although progress on its candidacy has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 30 April last, Government approved the proposal to draft the General Scheme of a Bill to govern overseas deployments into the future. Work on drafting those proposals, including consultations with the Office of the Attorney General, Government Departments and key stakeholders, has progressed, and a draft General Scheme has been prepared. It is Intended to revert to Government with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Over the past number of days, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) increased their activity in South Lebanon and breached the Blue Line in several areas, including in the vicinity of the Irish Battalion UN Post 6-52. These activities have included incursions of equipment and personnel to which the Deputy refer. These are violations of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. As of 8th...