Results 5,941-5,960 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens and accompanying dependents from Gaza that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to leave Gaza. Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made clear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since 7thOctober, I have had valuable contact with many of my counterparts in the Middle East region regarding the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. My conversations focused on efforts to secure a durable humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages including Emily Hand, and the safe exit of Irish citizens from Gaza. During my recent visit to the region, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service introduced facial recognition technology in 2016. This facilitated the introduction of the Passport Online service, which has been transformative for Irish citizens and has resulted in considerable efficiencies for the Passport Service. Facial recognition technology is an anti-fraud measure and adds significantly to the integrity of the Irish passport. The use of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Ireland is among a number of donor countries working together to pursue compensation through the West Bank Protection Consortium. The Consortium has sought, but not received, compensation of close to €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. We will continue to work together with our Consortium...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I stated at the time of Minister Eliyahu’s remarks, comments of this nature are deeply concerning and unhelpful. I note that they have been dismissed by the Israeli Government. Achieving a world free from nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. Israel has consistently refused either to confirm or to deny that it possesses nuclear weapons. Ireland takes full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together. The Government was surprised by the Israeli reaction. This was made clear by our Ambassador in Tel Aviv during her meeting with the Israeli Foreign Ministry on 27 November. Ambassador McGuinness presented the Foreign Ministry with the full statements issued by the Taoiseach and I, following the release of Emily Hand. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are deeply concerned about the situation in the West Bank and there is an urgent need for all parties to cease all unilateral measures that impede peace, including illegal settlement activity. In February of this year, the UN Security Council underlined that Israeli settlement activities are dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-State solution based on the 1967 lines. Within...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: At the end of September 2023, the Israel Prison Service was holding 1,310 Palestinians, including children, in administrative detention. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, I understand that has increased to more than 2,000. Ireland has called on the Israeli authorities to end the practice of administrative detention completely. We have also repeatedly highlighted the applicability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Autonomous Weapons Systems raise important challenges with respect to human control and judgement over the use of force, as well as humanitarian, legal, security and ethical perspectives. It is our position is that human beings must make decisions with regards to the use of force. Systems that do not incorporate human control must not be developed, deployed or used. Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs operates accounts on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. None of these accounts are verified through a subscription fee. Operators of these accounts use the Department’s Social Media Handbook as a guide for all social media usage.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Requests to establish resident foreign diplomatic missions in Ireland are considered by the Government on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and those of the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. Based on a review of the records held by my Department and compiled in the time available, a list of the seventeen...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are currently 67 resident foreign diplomatic missions in Ireland employing some 581 staff across diplomatic, administrative and technical, and service categories as notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. A list of all the foreign diplomatic missions in question and their respective Ambassadors as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 9 November, Ireland voted in favour of a resolution on “The Occupied Syrian Golan” at the Fourth Committee. This resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 146 in favour, including Ireland and other EU Members, to 2 against and 23 abstentions. This resolution is scheduled to be voted on again in the UN General Assembly on 7 December. Ireland will again vote in favour of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to the United Nations Digital Library Website, digitallibrary.un.org/?ln=en, which provides a full record of the list of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the position taken by Ireland in each instance.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 22 November. I can clarify that the Department has no plans to issue an advisory along the lines suggested.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs uses public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of advertising costs. As with other Government Departments, the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 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 Defence: Naval Service (5 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish...