Results 6,961-6,980 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes, hands off. Government can never interfere with a public service broadcaster. There has always been a hands-off and an arm's-length approach. I can remember as a young student when people accused governments of the day of interfering too much in RTÉ in terms of editorial control or saying that RTÉ should not publish this or should not criticise that. That was an earlier...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: During my last visit to the West Bank, my planned programme included a visit to the community of Ein Samiya, a part of Area C where settlers has recently demolished a school. Israel, which has full civil and security control in Area C, did not facilitate my proposed visit. I have previously made statements on this matter in answers to Parliamentary questions. The denial of permission was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. A person who is subject to a deportation order is considered not to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition as they do not have an unqualified legal right of residence in the State. As such they are ineligible for social assistance payments. My department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military in February 2021, and attempts by the junta to consolidate and legitimise the military regime. I remain deeply concerned by the widespread violence, the high levels of displacement, and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation, which have had a particular impact on the Rohingya population. Ireland remains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Where there are identified shortfalls in the provision of medical care to the Permanent Defence Force, a range of measures to ensure continuity of service are employed including outsourcing, contracted professionals, and agency workers. I am informed by the military authorities that there are no contractual arrangements between the Defence Forces and individual agency nurses and all such...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: No one has done more than this Government in terms of funding North-South infrastructure.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy could acknowledge that at least.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy addressed me. I am sorry. I apologise, a Cheann Comhairle.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy brought me into the conversation.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Tapóidh mé an deis seo chun cúrsaí Thuaisceart na hÉireann a phlé. Cuirim fáilte roimh filleadh na n-institiúidí agus guím gach rath ar gach éinne a bheidh páirteach iontu sna blianta amach romhainn. Two weeks ago, on 1 February, we celebrated St. Brigid's Day, long recognised in Ireland as signalling the beginning of spring. As...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Referendum Campaigns (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is not entitled to spend public money for the purpose of promoting a campaign for a particular outcome and a guidance note outlining this position was circulated to all Government bodies and agencies, including to my Department. I wish to assure the Deputy that the officials of my Department are aware of their obligations to remain impartial as they serve the State. ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 48 and 49 together. I visited Colombia on 10-11 January 2024. During my visit, I met with Defence Minister Iván Velásquez, Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Francisco Coy and Elizabeth Taylor Jay, and representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace (OACP). In my meeting with Vice Ministers Coy and Taylor Jay, we...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016, Ireland has provided over €20 million to support peacebuilding and the promotion of human rights in Colombia. Ireland funds the UN Multi Partner Trust Fund and the Organisation of American States Mission to Support the Peace Process. These partners support a broad range of initiatives designed to progress the implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: For many years, Ireland has been actively engaged in supporting Colombia’s peace process through political support, advocacy, and by regularly engaging with relevant institutions, organisations and communities. These actions have served to consolidate Ireland’s long-standing reputation as an honest, trusted and credible interlocutor with all parties to the Agreement. Our key...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: During my recent visit to Colombia on 10-11 January 2024, I had the opportunity to discuss the peace process in meetings with Defence Minister Iván Velásquez, Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Francisco Coy and Elizabeth Taylor Jay, and representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace (OACP). In these meetings, we discussed the significant progress that has...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 62 together. 21 and 32 together. Türkiye is an important regional partner and candidate country for EU membership, with which Ireland continues to maintain a productive relationship across the full range of our shared priorities. I met with my Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in the margins of the UN General Assembly in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Human Rights (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together. Türkiye is a fellow member of the Council of Europe and a candidate for EU membership. Ireland has made clear our concerns for human rights in Türkiye, including in relation to prisoners and the implementation of rulings of the European Court of Human rights. Minister of State Burke discussed the matter during a meeting...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: EU Regulations (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been a strong proponent of multilingualism and encouraging of the greatest possible access by all EU citizens to the EU and its Institutions and highlighted this at the General Affairs Council in September 2023 where the proposal from the Spanish Government was first discussed. It was clear at that meeting that further consideration of all potential implications, including...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Coherent with a common EU position, neither I nor my Department undertake actions that would serve to confer the appearance of legitimacy onto the military junta. In keeping with that principle, we have not held bilateral meetings or engagements with the military authorities. It is Ireland’s practice to recognise states and not governments. I remain deeply concerned by the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Human Rights (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and wish to reiterate in the strongest terms my condemnation of the February 2021 coup. I am appalled by the escalation in violence, the displacement of large numbers of people and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation. Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to call for the restoration of legitimate, civilian...