Results 6,701-6,720 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Situation in the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Motion (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann: — unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas in Israel on Saturday, 7th October last, indiscriminately, and systematically targeting civilians, and resulting in over 1,400 deaths; — utterly condemns the hospital bombing that occurred last evening; — echoes the call of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the required supporting documents were received from the applicant on 10 October 2023. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Depending on the subject matter, litigation against my Department is dealt with by the Attorney General’s Office and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency. The table below sets out the number of cases commenced against the Department over the past 10 years, as well as all legal costs paid by the Department each year. Year Number...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service records show that a refund was issued on 22 February 2023. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the refund.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply alarmed by what is happening in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The brutal attack by Hamas in Israel on 7 October was appalling. Under international law, Israel has a right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done within the parameters of international humanitarian law. I am also concerned about rising violence and deaths in the West Bank,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The payment of staff in my Department, including in the Passport Service, is administered by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO). The NSSO ensure Civil Servants in my Department are paid in accordance with their point on the appropriate pay-scale as advised by the Human Resources Division. Increments are awarded to staff provided they have not reached the top of their pay-scale, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Budget 2024 (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The mission of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to serve Ireland, promote Ireland's values and advance Ireland's prosperity and interests abroad, as well as to provide the government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement. Officials of my Department work with all State Agencies to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department's Litigation Branch manages litigation claims taken against the Minister for Defence. In doing so, the Branch works closely with both the State Claims Agency (SCA) and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO).Personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on behalf of the Minister for Defence by the SCA, and Employment Law matters taken...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Budget 2024 (18 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: For 2024, the total overall gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2024, is €1.23 billion, comprising of €921 million on the Defence Vote and €310 million on the Army Pensions Vote. This significant allocation represents an overall increase of €21 million on 2023 across the Vote Group. This level of funding will enable the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the committee for the invitation to brief members in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I will speak on some of the foreign policy issues that my Department is focused on as well as the consultative forum on international security policy. I bear in mind what the Chairman said in that regard. The situation in the Middle East is at the forefront of our minds. We have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have that down for the next session.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy raised a number of points. In the past we have been very clear in calling out and condemning violations of international law by Israel in respect of the occupied territories. I do not necessarily accept that the narrative in the past has been as he described it. We have been very consistent in saying that UN resolutions should be adhered to in respect of settlements. On my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, we have condemned breaches of UN resolutions and international law over recent years.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: As to the current context, I did answer the question. I do not believe in full equivalence on this one, unfortunately. I genuinely have an issue here. In my narrative, what I was saying to the Deputy and articulating was about the concerns of Israel around security relating to Hamas. Does the Deputy think Israel has a right to self-defence against Hamas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier - I do not know if the Deputy heard me - we are calling for a humanitarian pause in hostilities. In other words, we want a pause, a stop.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am not here to battle with you or anybody. I want to please-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: If you will just let me finish-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Departmental Matters: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (17 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I want to ask the Deputy: do you believe Israel has a right to-----