Results 6,681-6,700 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will answer the Deputy's full question as it is presented in terms of the killing of a journalist. Ireland is committed to upholding the UN Charter and the rules-based international order. These principles underpin Ireland's international engagement across the board, including in respect of media freedom, the protection of journalists and the promotion and protection of the right to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In respect of the death of Alexei Navalny, the summoning of the Russian ambassador was part of a Europe-wide co-ordinated action connected with his death, the suppression of any dissent in Russia and the manner in which he was treated by the Russian authorities that led to his death. Russia was responsible for his death. Diplomacy and diplomatic channels are about communicating the Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will firstly respond to the question Deputy Howlin has asked about an independent investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians as they sought aid in Gaza by saying that like him, I am appalled by the horrible deaths of Palestinians queuing for aid in Gaza City last week. I join the calls made by EU High Representative Borrell and UN Secretary General Guterres, among others,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: One of the factors in that appalling incident last week concerning the more than 100 people who were killed was a breakdown in the social order. In my view Israel bears responsibility for that. A number of Gazan policemen were targeted. They were there to at least try and organise the distribution of aid for the UN agencies and then they were targeted by Israeli forces, so they have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I think we have taken every step open to us in this regard. We showed leadership when UNRWA first came under threat. We were one of the first to come out and say-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is, and to undermine it. A significant decision was communicated to us by the President of the European Commission, and this happened directly on account of our stance on the issue. Canada has now followed in restoring aid to UNRWA, so the dial is shifting in that regard. The key issue is that the international community has to put as much pressure on as possible and keep the pressure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: European Union (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, I continue to engage with my European Union counterparts on the crisis in the Middle East. I have made Ireland's position on the conflict clear at the Foreign Affairs Council. I have consistently urged the European Union to support an immediate ceasefire and to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. I called on the European Commission and on European Union partners to restore...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Carthy for raising the question. In Gaza, Palestinian civilians are living in conditions that no human being should have to endure. Gaza is on the brink of a man-made famine. Every day without a ceasefire brings this truly horrific prospect ever closer. I share the deep concerns of this House about the current war and it must end. This is why, every day, my focus remains...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: That reply was not one that has been issued for the past number of months or years. If Deputy Carthy listened to it carefully he would see that. All of us in the House have to make a decision on whether we just want to be performative or we want to be impactful. I believe we want to be impactful. The Arab peace initiative is fairly imminent. I believe it is dependent on a ceasefire and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I never said Deputy Carthy was disingenuous. I do not know where he invented that from. I did not use it at all in my reply.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt Deputy Carthy. I have to correct a false assertion that he made. What I did say was that there is a difference between being performative and being impactful. I respectfully suggest, through the Chair, that Deputy Carthy's tendency is to the former. He is into performance on this and into rhetoric and soundbite. He does not give credit for, or acknowledge, the...

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

Micheál Martin: I am appalled by the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza – after almost five months of relentless violence and displacement, civilians in Gaza are living in conditions that no one should have to endure. The legal position is clear – under international humanitarian law Israel are responsible for the protection of civilians in Gaza, and ensuring that the essential needs of the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18, 27, 69 and 73 together. I remain focused on the dreadful situation in the Gaza Strip, where the current situation is a humanitarian disaster. I fully believe that an Israeli military escalation in Rafah, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering in desperate conditions, would be catastrophic. We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and...

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

Micheál Martin: I was appalled at Mr. Navalny’s death, which further underpins the lack of respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Russia. There must be a full and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of his death. My EU counterparts and I met with Yulia Navalnaya at the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 February, when we discussed the circumstances...

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

Micheál Martin: The ongoing destruction of Ukraine by Russia makes it difficult to assess the eventual cost of reconstruction. Most recent World Bank estimates have put the eventual reconstruction cost at US$486 billion, a figure which continues to rise. Ireland has provided both humanitarian and stabilisation support bilaterally to Ukraine, focused on early recovery efforts, while engaging at EU and...

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

Micheál Martin: On 19 February, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where the Council’s discussion focused on the EU’s approach to Ukraine, the Middle East and the Sahel. The Council met with the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency,...

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. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 200,000 passports. There are currently 147,000 passport applications in the system. 83,000, or 56%, of these applications, are with the Passport Service for processing. The remaining 64,000 are awaiting further action by the applicant before they can be progressed....

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 21 together. Ireland's overall financial support to Ukraine since February 2022 amounts to over €212 million, comprised of over €90 million in stabilisation and humanitarian funding and commitments of approximately €122 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility. Within these overall figures,...

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

Micheál Martin: On 14 February, officials from my Department met with visiting representatives of the Polisario Front to discuss the ongoing political situation in Western Sahara. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues including the return to armed conflict in the region, engagement with the United Nations, the peace process, and human rights issues, including within Sahrawi refugee...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 31 together. I have been closely monitoring developments in the case taken under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’) by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice. I welcomed the Court’s order of provisional measures in this case on 26 January,...