Results 3,981-4,000 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, on the basis that nine further steps, detailed in the European Commission’s Enlargement Report, are undertaken by the Georgian government. However, I am concerned by ongoing political polarisation in Georgia and particularly by the actions taken by the Georgian government...

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

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024 the Government filed an inter-State case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention, including Article 2 (right to life), Article 3...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 125, 126 and 127 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 123 and 124 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued 450,000 passports to date this year and is on track to have issued half a million passports by the end of this month. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times. The Passport Service is well-staffed and is in an excellent position to deliver the demand forecast for the rest of this year. Ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I co-chaired the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference alongside the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris in London on 29 April. Although issues relating to immigration were not items on the formal agenda of this meeting, I had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Secretary of State. We also discussed the issue in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: After many years of significant difficulty, I am glad to report that the UK is now more fully meeting its commitments to the European Union. In particular, the UK is actively implementing the terms of the Windsor Framework agreement last year, which has helped underpin political and economic stability in Northern Ireland. While there are a number of areas where the EU would like to see a...

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

Micheál Martin: I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners, including the US, since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability, peace and prosperity in candidate countries. I am pleased to report that there continues to be positive momentum on EU enlargement. On 08 November 2023, the European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As indicated in the Commission’s ‘2023 Rule of Law Report, the rule of law situation in the European Union’, under the rule of law, all public powers always act within the constraints set out by law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the control of independent and impartial courts. The rule of law includes principles such as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Lying at the heart of Europe, and surrounded by EU Member States, continued peace and security in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States, including Ireland. Given the wider geo-political situation, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, we can ill-afford any insecurity in the Western Balkans. I am extremely proud of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Addressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key priority for the Government. Ireland continues to raise immigration issues at every appropriate engagement with the United States Government and Congress. The Government actively supports the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world. Ireland's network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Asylum Seekers (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the very large numbers of men, women, and children who have tragically lost their lives in dangerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean, and that this number is increasing. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of migrant deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean has grown steadily over the past years: 2,048 in 2021, 2,411 in 2022 and...

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

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to make it clear that no decision to locate or partially relocation Cathal Brugha Barracks has been made in respect of the sole operational military barracks in Dublin City Centre. My Department has conducted a cost benefit analysis and feasibility study, with involvement from the Defence Forces, to assess the viability or otherwise of relocating existing core Defence...

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

Micheál Martin: Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced. The purpose of the Strategic...

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

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to make it clear that no decision to locate or partially relocation Cathal Brugha Barracks has been made in respect of the sole operational military barracks in Dublin City Centre. My Department has conducted a cost benefit analysis and feasibility study, with involvement from the Defence Forces, to assess the viability or otherwise of relocating existing core Defence...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland signed up to the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware ahead of the third Summit for Democracy in the Republic of Korea in March. Upon joining, Ireland issued a national statement (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/485aa-ireland-joins-internation al-efforts-to-counter-the-proliferation-and-misuse-of-commer cial-spyware/), which made clear...

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Fiche nóiméad?

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Idir an Taoiseach agus mé féin?