Results 7,001-7,020 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 26 together. I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for tabling his question. It is deeply disappointing that almost 18 months on from the last assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there has been much speculation as to timings and approaches. To be honest, the Windsor agreement was a genuine response to the issues unionism raised in respect of the operation of the protocol. In my view, some of the issues that were resolved through the Windsor Framework were issues that unionism legitimately raised. Indeed, other parties in the North were quite okay with...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have outlined to the House the steps that I intend to take in relation to this. The only person attempting to shatter the unity of purpose in this House is the Deputy himself in the language he has chosen to use and with the assertions he has made around the bona fides of the Irish Government. We have been very committed. I belong to a political party that did its fair share in achieving...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We managed to persuade people like your good self not to endorse violence on a continuous basis and which caused so much damage, destruction and loss of life. The Deputy asked for unity of purpose. I have outlined it to the House. I understand where people are coming from here. I have made it very clear to the British Government that we reject the unilateral approach in respect to the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We do not operate or run the British Government or the British parliamentary system-----

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----that is a process in itself. We have raised this at international level with considerable impact and effect, as I outlined earlier in replies to Deputy Carthy and others.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I could give the Deputy the verbal version but in short, I met with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah as part of my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory. During my meeting with the President, we discussed a number of issues including possible future elections in the occupied Palestinian territory, international recognition, our strong...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: President Abbas's response was that because the Israeli Government refuses to facilitate the holding of elections in East Jerusalem - which is a critical issue for the Palestinian National Authority - they therefore cannot proceed with elections. He referenced the current level of aggression within the occupied territories. Fundamentally it rests on East Jerusalem being enabled to be part...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are two points to make. First, on climate finance, we have given a commitment that by 2025, we will be making an annual contribution of €225 million, which was a commitment I gave at COP26. The target is to reach that sum within that timeline. As a country, we have given a commitment. The Government formally took a decision on it. We need to see it realised. On the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 43 and 57 together. I dealt with this issue earlier in reply to a question from Deputy Carthy. However, I will give the reply to this group of questions for the benefit of Deputies. I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, to discuss issues relating to Northern Ireland. Most recently, I met with him...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for their remarks. I do not agree with Deputy Tóibín's assertions, which are more in the realm of sloganeering, polemic and propaganda than a serious discussion of the issue. We have been very clear as a Government. I support what Deputy Brendan Smith said in that this relates to all actors in Northern Ireland who perpetrated atrocities. Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I also join in welcoming President Stefanchuk. We met in Strasbourg, I think, last year and in other locations. I salute his commitment and the extraordinary diplomatic work he and his colleagues have been undertaking. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has been everywhere lobbying and advocating for the Ukrainian people against what is a terrible, immoral and illegal war and...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I again pay tribute to our team at the UN, including Ambassador Mythen. I do not often mention particular civil servants, but I refer to John Gilroy, who was there in 2015 at the formulation of the SDGs and during the working up of that document. He was there again this time in regard to the rebooting and re-energising of the SDGs. This reflects respect within the UN system for Ireland and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that the Government is ably represented at the IAEA by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I am sure he will take the appropriate positions on all the various issues that will be on the agenda.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We work very closely with Jordan, however, and we share a very common position. I believe the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Safadi, is very exercised by the entire situation. He has worked very hard and diligently, particularly at the Aqaba summit and Sharm el-Sheikh summit, to try to de-escalate the situation of recent times and the escalation of secular violence and so on. Israel has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated on several occasions in this House, the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 would not be compatible with European Union law and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will, therefore, not be taking it forward. Ireland’s resolute opposition to illegal Israeli settlements is firmly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have taken action in terms of the differentiation between Israel and illegal settlements in terms of the importation of goods. That is law, and we work to enforce that. On the divestment Bill, as the Deputy knows, there was a timed amendment in relation to that. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McGrath, is dealing with that because it seeks to amend the National Treasury Management...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----is of a long duration, but we have been very clear in respect of action.