Results 621-640 of 47,563 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been unequivocal that the deportation or forcible transfer of children may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. The large-scale deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus is part of a coordinated effort to erase Ukrainian identity. These children face Russian “re-education,” vilification of their nationality, forced adoption, and coercion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which took place in Switzerland on 15-16 June, was an important first step toward building support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Taoiseach represented Ireland, delivering the national statement, and participating in a working group on the return of deported Ukrainian children. I welcome that 101 delegations from all continents attended the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I refer the deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 9 May and Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 7 March 2024. Ireland remains fully committed to supporting and funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders on the ground as a key part of our support for the Palestinian people. As I previously stated, Ireland repeatedly expressed serious concern on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is gravely concerned by the situation in the Gaza Strip. We are calling for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. I have repeatedly called for Israel to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law. The Government has been clear that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Child Abduction (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: 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. A senior official has been appointed as her dedicated case manager and is in very regular contact with her. I have met with the citizen in November 2023 to discuss their case and I continue to engage with my officials...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been following the developments in the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia closely, and especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However I would note that the bilateral relations of the United States with other countries are a matter for the Government of the United States. Ireland has a constructive relationship with Saudi Arabia and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Russia’s hybrid campaign targeting the EU and Member States, including through malicious cyber activity and the deliberate spreading of disinformation, is completely unacceptable. The Government takes the risks posed by Russia’s hybrid activity extremely seriously. In this context, Ireland has actively supported agreement on a range of measures set out in the EU Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I set out in response to a similar question from the Deputy last month, the Government intends to file a Declaration of Intervention in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice after South Africa has filed its Memorial. South Africa initiated its ICJ case by filing an Application with that Court on 29...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I regularly discuss the situation in Georgia with my EU counterparts. Most recently, at the Foreign Affairs Council earlier this week, we discussed Georgia’s current trajectory and the European Union’s response. Ireland deeply regrets the Georgian government’s decision to pass the ‘On Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law. The law is a clear attempt by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The UK Legacy Act, including its provisions establishing the Independent Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery, represents a unilateral departure from the shared approach to dealing with the past agreed by the two British and Irish governments and most political parties in Northern Ireland in the Stormont House Agreement. Notably, it was drafted without any reference to cross...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (27 Jun 2024)

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: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 18th June 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The human rights situation in any particular country is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and a universally agreed global list or ranking does not exist, as such. My Department can provide details in relation to individual countries of specific concern. While we are no longer members of the UN Security Council, the promotion and protection of human rights remains a foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: While responsibility for issues relating to trafficking of persons lies primarily with the Minister for Justice, my Department also engages with this matter at the international level. Ireland actively engages with European Union and United Nations efforts to combat trafficking in persons. This includes our work across the UN system, including at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 625,000 passports this year to date. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times. It is important to note that processing times are calculated once the Passport Service receives any supporting documents that are required to complete...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is committed to the principles of "parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities". To this end, engaging with all political traditions and all communities in Northern Ireland is at the heart of our approach to supporting peace and reconciliation. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Addressing the root causes of conflict – such as poor governance and inequitable development – is key in order to prevent violence from occurring or escalating and to promote lasting peace. As such, Ireland works to prevent conflict through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and our international development policy. This includes working towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces personnel who previously had a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness. As announced on 5 March 2024, in tandem with the changes made to the mandatory retirement age, a new fast accrual pensions' policy framework was...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that in line with Defence Force Regulations, specifically DFR A7, a military representative is required to be present during the trial in a civil court (criminal court) of an accused member of the Defence Forces The role of that representative, which is also provided for in these regulations, is to assist the court if called upon to do so, with any queries the Court may have in...