Results 6,121-6,140 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin has opposed a hell of a lot. Sinn Féin has opposed new housing schemes across Dublin on State land because they did not contain social housing only. Sinn Féin did not want affordable housing on certain sites in Dublin and it opposed it. Deputy Doherty has opposed a lot of things which brings me to the conclusion that his policies would make this situation far worse.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It would disincentivise house building. It would get far worse. Sinn Féin's policies are overly negative in respect of housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We all recognise - I said it already - that housing is the most significant social issue we face in this country. I am interested in coming up with solutions. I have heard precious little from the Deputy other than a good descriptive analysis of the current situation, but actually no solutions. Freezing rent is not a solution because it would cause a further exodus from the rental market...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: At dtús, déanaim comhbhrón le clann Shane MacGowan agus a bhean, Victoria, ar a bhás. Níl aon amhras ach ceoltóir den scoth a bhí agus atá ann. I express my deepest sympathies to the wife and family of the late Shane McGowan, an iconic musician who blended many different musical disciplines and genres but who was particularly influenced by his time in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s co-operation and engagement with our EU partners is an essential part of the response to the geopolitical challenges that we face. We are committed to deepening relationships and alliances with EU Member States, as we are with the EU Institutions. Ireland has a long-standing policy of maintaining embassies in each EU Member State – reflective of the value we place...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the concerning reports regarding the ongoing ecological crisis affecting Lough Neagh. The environmental health of Lough Neagh, as the largest freshwater lake on this island, is of vital importance. It is a protected area of special scientific interest and the source of 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. The proliferation of toxic blue-green algae in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ensuring the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens and their accompanying dependants who wished to leave has been a priority of the Government and my own department since the outbreak of the current crisis. My Department and I worked tirelessly to facilitate the necessary clearance by the relevant authorities for Irish citizens, together with dependent family members accompanying...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU Enlargement and supported the decision of the European Council in June 2022 to grant EU Candidate Status to Ukraine and Moldova and potential Candidate Status to Georgia, and we continue to work with all three countries on their paths to European integration. We welcome the reports issued by the Commission, which are a necessary reference point in the next...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 162 together. Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ukraine continues to be a regular focus of discussions at EU level, most recently at the November Foreign Affairs Council where it was clear that Europe's commitment to supporting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 168 and 216 together. Engagement with my counterparts is a central part of my work and of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Within this context, we maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides information and advice to prepare citizens before travelling abroad, and offers an objective assessment of the risks they could face. The Department publishes clear, accessible and up-to-date Travel Advice for around 200 destinations, so that citizens can make informed choices about international travel on the basis of accurate and impartial information. Travel Advice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 190, 219 and 233 together. The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is deeply concerning and it is imperative that the international community works together to address the immediate crisis and to lay the foundations for a sustainable peace. I am determined that Ireland plays an active and meaningful role, within the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 183 together. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. Ireland supports initiatives to bring to account perpetrators of international crimes committed in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s aggression. As the first permanent international court with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The British Legacy Act received Royal Assent on 18 September. I am seriously concerned about the Act's impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland, and about its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. The incorporation of the Convention into Northern Ireland law was an explicit requirement of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

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 of this year. On 24 February, I met with the family, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. The strength of the family's desire...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is deeply disappointing that 18 months on from the last assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and representatives of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In April 2021, the European Commission published the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), a proposed law that aims to regulate AI systems in the EU. Ireland very much supports a harmonised regulatory environment across the EU in relation to AI. It welcomes the risk-based approach to regulating AI. Given that AI has evolved significantly in the last months, it is important that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department, via the Passport Service, has responsibility for issuing all Irish Passports under the Passports Act 2008. The Passport Service continues to experience growth in demand from Irish citizens in relation to the processing and issuance of passports. This demand is expected to continue due to demographic changes, continued increases in overseas travel by Irish citizens and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Sanctions (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 180 together. Ireland has strongly supported EU sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine and emphasised the importance of effective implementation. The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Since February 2022, the EU...