Results 5,881-5,900 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As outlined in my reply to Questions Nos. 34 and 35 of 6 December 2023, Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states that “No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.” The reference to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as referring to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Iran have a functional diplomatic relationship. The Irish Mission in Tehran is operating, for the moment in temporary premises, while seeking permanent accommodation. A number of posted staff are now stationed in Tehran and the Department expects to be in a position to accredit an Ambassador in the first half of 2024. The Embassy of Iran in Dublin is currently headed by a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in the West Bank. Since the attacks by Hamas on 7 October, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, there has also been a sharp rise in terror attacks perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. We have seen the displacement of Palestinian communities and reports of maltreatment of Palestinian detainees and prisoners. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of the current crisis in the Middle East, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of Irish citizens, and accompanying dependants, that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependants have been assisted to leave Gaza. A small number of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. We will continue to work...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I confirm the situation of this individual Irish citizen raised in your question, my Department is aware of their case and is providing consular assistance. Since the start of the current crisis in the Middle East, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of Irish citizens, and accompanying dependents, that have expressed a wish to leave. To...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland party leaders to underline the importance of getting the full range of Good Friday Institutions up and running, across all three strands. I recognise that Northern Ireland has always been at its strongest and made its greatest strides when the Irish and British Governments have worked in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government published in 2020 contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. To be clear, the Defence Forces have not undertaken any training of personnel or engaged in any other activities in Ukraine. Not alone is there is no question of Irish Defence Forces’ personnel being sent to Ukraine as part of this mission, but no other EU Member State intends to send personnel to Ukraine. All of the training is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will appreciate, United States immigration policy and the processing of US visas is wholly a matter for the appropriate US authorities. I encourage the applicant to continue to liaise with the United States Embassy in Dublin.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Pay (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Human Resources Division of my Department are in direct and ongoing contact with the member of staff in question. Officers in Human Resources have examined the case and have confirmed to the staff member that they are on their correct pay point. They will, however, continue to assist on other related issues which have been raised by the staff member.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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 subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict impossible. Government advice is available on the gov.ie website for the general public and, in particular for Irish companies. This advice makes it clear that we do not encourage or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. Ireland has wholeheartedly supported the United Nations Security Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), concluded in March 2019, allocates fishing opportunities for the EU in exchange for an overall financial contribution of €208 million. A substantial part of this contribution is used to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries economy in Morocco and the Western Sahara. When the process of negotiation began on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Senior officials from my Department regularly meet with their Moroccan counterparts, both in Dublin and Rabat, to discuss a wide range of issues, with human rights a core element of those discussions. The opening of an Irish Embassy in Rabat has allowed us to deepen our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland actively participates in various international bodies and organisations. Some of these bodies or organisations have seen the appointment of Irish officials to their ranks and these appointments have served to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage. In the ten years since December 2013, officials of my Department have led Government campaigns seeking the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy notes, EU’s review of development aid has now been completed. I welcome, in particular the review’s conclusion -as we had expected- that the Commission’s existing controls and safeguards work well and that there is no evidence that funding has been diverted for unintended purposes. Ireland also has robust safeguards in place to ensure that our...