Results 6,701-6,720 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 55 together. I attended the Munich Security Conference from 16-18 February. The Munich Security Conference continues to be one of the world’s leading platforms for debate and policy exchange on international security and foreign policy, including Russia’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 53 together. As Ukrainians face into the third year of war, we must make clear that we are unwavering in the strength of our commitment to supporting Ukraine. Ensuring that Russia does not succeed in its imperial ambitions is existential for Ukraine, but is also fundamental for European and global security. This is true now, as it was just over...

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

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is meeting its turnaround times which are at or well-ahead of target, with no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online. 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...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 35 together. The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority, in fulfillment of the Programme for a Partnership Government. The continuing absence of a substantive response from the British government on these motions is a matter of concern and is an issue I consistently raise...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 67 and 71 together. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 15 February calling for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The letter was addressed to Commission President von der Leyen, and was copied to High...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government Legislation Programme published on 16th January 2024 sets out Government legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The current Legislation Programme does not include any bills in preparation within the Department of the Foreign Affairs. The Department’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 sets out the high level goals that officials of my Department...

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

Micheál Martin: I was delighted that the citizen returned to Ireland yesterday where he was reunited with his wife and three young children. This was the outcome which I, along with my officials in Dublin and our Embassy in Jordan had been steadfastly working towards since his detention on February 26. I had a number of very constructive conversations with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister...

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

Micheál Martin: As I have made clear on previous occasions, I have been engaging intensively with our partners in the European Union, in the region, and internationally since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Within the EU, Ireland has urged partners to support an immediate ceasefire, impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, and restore funding to UNRWA as...

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

Micheál Martin: The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history and target not only Russia. The sectoral measures introduced to date have resulted in a significant decrease in access by Russia to dual use and advanced technology goods from Europe. However, while direct exports from Europe have...

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

Micheál Martin: The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a safeguard fundamental to the Good Friday Agreement and sets a clear benchmark against which to assess actions and legislation affecting Northern Ireland. On 28 February, Mr. Justice Colton delivered his judgment in the High Court in Belfast on the UK government's Legacy Act, finding that that a number of provisions of the UK Legacy Act are...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 49 and 76 together. The restoration of the Assembly and Executive is a positive opportunity for a new beginning for politics in Northern Ireland and to address the challenges that the people of Northern Ireland face in their daily lives. I have been clear that the return of Northern Ireland's political institutions, and by extension, the return to full...

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

Micheál Martin: The deliberate and strategic targeting of European societies with false and manipulated information by certain foreign governments, their proxies and aligned groups, is an issue of concern. The objective of this online activity is to generate confusion, to sow division and fear, and to undermine trust in Government and in democratic institutions. The second annual EEAS Report on Foreign...

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

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that in line with normal practice, the Department of Foreign Affairs was consulted by the Department of Justice with regard to the question of safe countries of origin in respect of applications under the International Protection Act 2015, and to assist with decision making by that Department Observations were provided to the Department of Justice in order to assist their...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 52 together. The large scale public demonstrations in late 2022 and 2023, which were suppressed violently, with widespread use of lethal force against protestors, and executions of many of those detained, are a clear sign of a population which believes its voice is not being heard by its Government. The Iranian electoral system requires that only...

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

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 2023. On 24 February 2023, I met with the family. The strength of the family's desire for an independent investigation of their loved one's...

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

Micheál Martin: On 12 May 2023 the Council of Europe established the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of Russia against Ukraine (the “Register”). The creation of the Register was amongst the recommendations included in a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 November 2022, entitled Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine...

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

Micheál Martin: There is a grave crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip. The situation in Rafah is simply appalling, and the possibility of Israeli military escalation there, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering in desperate conditions, would be catastrophic. This cannot be allowed to happen. Civilians urgently need the fighting to stop, and a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 57 together. 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 and guidance. I appreciate that the circumstances of this case are very difficult for all concerned. I have engaged directly with my counterpart in the jurisdiction...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has strongly supported EU sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. These targeted sanctions are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Trade restrictions on export of sensitive goods from the EU to Russia have been put in place to target specific areas, including Russia’s military, financial, energy, technology and transport...

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

Micheál Martin: As we enter the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it is clear that Ukrainian forces remain under significant pressure. On 18 February, following four months of intense fighting, the Ukrainian military was forced to retreat from the city of Adiivka, primarily due to a severe shortage in military equipment. Russia has launched new offensives across the Ukrainian frontline. ...