Results 4,781-4,800 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a safeguard fundamental to the Good Friday Agreement and sets a clear benchmark against which to assess actions and legislation affecting Northern Ireland. On 28 February, Mr. Justice Colton delivered his judgment in the High Court in Belfast on the UK government's Legacy Act, finding that that a number of provisions of the UK Legacy Act are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 49 and 76 together. The restoration of the Assembly and Executive is a positive opportunity for a new beginning for politics in Northern Ireland and to address the challenges that the people of Northern Ireland face in their daily lives. I have been clear that the return of Northern Ireland's political institutions, and by extension, the return to full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The deliberate and strategic targeting of European societies with false and manipulated information by certain foreign governments, their proxies and aligned groups, is an issue of concern. The objective of this online activity is to generate confusion, to sow division and fear, and to undermine trust in Government and in democratic institutions. The second annual EEAS Report on Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that in line with normal practice, the Department of Foreign Affairs was consulted by the Department of Justice with regard to the question of safe countries of origin in respect of applications under the International Protection Act 2015, and to assist with decision making by that Department Observations were provided to the Department of Justice in order to assist their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 52 together. The large scale public demonstrations in late 2022 and 2023, which were suppressed violently, with widespread use of lethal force against protestors, and executions of many of those detained, are a clear sign of a population which believes its voice is not being heard by its Government. The Iranian electoral system requires that only...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have raised the case of the person in question and the family's desire for answers on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department met with the family in November 2021 and again in February 2023. On 24 February 2023, I met with the family. The strength of the family's desire for an independent investigation of their loved one's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 12 May 2023 the Council of Europe established the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of Russia against Ukraine (the “Register”). The creation of the Register was amongst the recommendations included in a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 November 2022, entitled Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is a grave crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip. The situation in Rafah is simply appalling, and the possibility of Israeli military escalation there, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering in desperate conditions, would be catastrophic. This cannot be allowed to happen. Civilians urgently need the fighting to stop, and a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 57 together. I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. I appreciate that the circumstances of this case are very difficult for all concerned. I have engaged directly with my counterpart in the jurisdiction...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has strongly supported EU sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. These targeted sanctions are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Trade restrictions on export of sensitive goods from the EU to Russia have been put in place to target specific areas, including Russia’s military, financial, energy, technology and transport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As we enter the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it is clear that Ukrainian forces remain under significant pressure. On 18 February, following four months of intense fighting, the Ukrainian military was forced to retreat from the city of Adiivka, primarily due to a severe shortage in military equipment. Russia has launched new offensives across the Ukrainian frontline. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is open to considering the option of airdrops of humanitarian assistance, and this is among several issues that have been raised in recent contacts at political and official level between Ireland and Jordan. However, such initiatives must not distract from the urgent need to dramatically scale up the level of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza by land. The International Court...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 200,000 passports. Passport Online is by far the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I have conveyed the urgent need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. Ireland’s diplomatic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 66 together. Ireland was shocked to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of prominent Russian opposition politician and anti-corruption activist, Alexei Navalny, while he was being held under a “special regime” in a prison in Yamal, north of the Arctic Circle, following his transfer there in December 2023. Along with our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I was pleased last month to join Government colleagues in announcing further Shared Island Initiative commitments to support projects which will have a major impact across the island. Including the supports announced in February, approximately €500m has been allocated to date under the Shared Island Initiative enabling over 20 major programmes and funding streams. Separately, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. During the Presidency, Ireland will be responsible for driving the EU policy agenda and advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives. Irish Ministers and officials will chair many EU meetings and will represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions. Delivering a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As outlined in response to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 25 Janruary 2024, the Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In line with EU Regulations, Irish financial institutions have frozen over €1.9 billion of Russian funds. These funds relate to asset freeze measures for listed individuals and entities. As with all EU sanctions regimes, the measures introduced in response to Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine provide for the freezing of the assets for the duration of the sanctions regime...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Western Sahara has not been a subject for discussion at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in recent months. I remain open to working with EU partners where appropriate to support the United Nations-led peace process. Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to...