Results 21-40 of 11,540 for at speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland currently has one bilateral agreement with Morocco for the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed on 22 June 2010 and entered into force on 10 September 2012. Official cooperation between the EU and Morocco falls under the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement which entered into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ongoing, high-level political engagement with the United States is a priority for the Government and a key objective under Ireland's 'Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025'. In February, I visited Washington DC and Chicago for a range of political engagements with key contacts in President Biden's administration and on Capitol Hill, and meetings in Chicago with key political leaders...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s bilateral ties with the Philippines are strong and growing, aided by the establishment of the Irish Embassy in Manila in November 2021 as part of the Global Ireland programme. Diplomatic relations were established in 1984 and this year Ireland and the Philippines celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of the Philippines in London is accredited to Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 2nd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Myanmar. Since the illegal coup in February 2021, violent conflict has escalated across the country, while the humanitarian and human rights situations continue to deteriorate. The latest United Nations reporting advises that 18.6 million people, a third of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance across Myanmar. There are 2.7...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting in EU history. Approximately €24.9 billion in assets of individuals and entities listed under sanctions relating to Russia has been frozen across the EU. This includes over €1.9 billion of funds frozen by Irish financial institutions. EU Member States...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...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. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is estimated that more than €200 billion of immobilised assets of the Central Bank of Russia are now held in the EU as a result of sanctions. Ireland has been very clear that Russia must be held accountable for the appalling damage caused by its actions. In that context, we have welcomed the recent agreement at EU level to use...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department remains committed to creating a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. It is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that supports the recruitment, retention, and advancement of all employees, and actively engage in efforts to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Learning & Development Unit of my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (11 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Artillery Corps use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems to conduct reconnaissance operations, i.e. non-lethal operations. These UAV systems were procured between 2007 and 2009 from Aeronautics Defence Systems Ltd based in Israel following a competitive tender process, and an upgrade of the equipment was carried out by the original equipment manufacturer commencing in 2016....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister allocated additional funding in the interim period to try to deal with the challenges in the public dental health services. There will continue to be challenges there. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the timeline around the review and where that is at present.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...from the department of defence in Lebanon because the Minister was in hospital with Covid. The lawyer was very conversant with the case. I made clear in no uncertain terms our grave concern at the delay in the progress on the case and certain aspects of it. Notwithstanding the separation of powers in the Lebanese judicial system, I pressed the need for us to have a clear process and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: There are a number of steps to this. I was at the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary, which was very poignant and sad. Without question, we need to get answers for the relatives here, and it has to be done through a structured format. I met recently with Sir Iain Livingstone of Operation Denton, who took over from Mr. Jon Boucher. The publication of Operation Denton is important in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: If we ring, the NCSE will tell us what the story is. I presume there will be. Maybe someone has left the job or whatever. I am not sure; we will need to get the background to that. On the mobility scooter, my own view is that it is an appliance, and any supports should be provided relatively seamlessly. The system the HSE operates at times in different parts of the country baffles me....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should acknowledge that two of the stronger MEPs on the Palestine question over the last four years have been Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher. They have been robust, they have visited the area and they have been strong in respect of upholding the right of Palestinians to their homeland and state and having a fair resolution of the conflict. It is shocking that Israel has...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, introduced it approximately two years ago. It has been very successful and effective in preventing evictions by giving the option of going to the seller and saying the council will buy the house, thereby enabling the person living there to continue as a tenant of the council. It has been very effective, with up to 1,800 approvals so far. I will get the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes, and I have gone through the recommendations for the rental sector. I do not see any reference to a ban on no-fault evictions. It seems that the commission wants a significant reform of the existing rental market regulation. That will take significant work. Meanwhile, the Government is absolutely committed to the tenantin situscheme, as we have demonstrated by buying houses where...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is so far, and the HSE is going to repeat the recruitment campaign with a view to offering more positions in this area, to ultimately properly resource the CDNT teams. I also believe we need to look at it from a human resources management perspective to make sure that people recruited into the CDNT teams have an environment that is conducive, which incentivises them and makes for a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, and I think Maddie is the child's name, it is not acceptable that we do not have sufficient early intervention teams in place for children at an early age. I say this because I accept the principle that early intervention makes a profound difference in a child's life and in the outcome for a child in terms of any particular need or issue that exists. The Cabinet agreed last week to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I put it to the Deputy that I am not going to take debate and I suggest he does not take debate either. For the last few years there has been a very robust engagement through dispute resolution mechanisms. The Deputy will cite hundreds of millions that have been submitted in respect of claims but the net outcome of those claims is actually a fraction of the overall cost of the hospital. In...