Results 7,021-7,040 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: We gave it a nine-month timed amendment.

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

Micheál Martin: I beg your pardon?

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked me a question so I will respond. It is nine months, so it is within that period. Certainly, we will have to come back to the Oireachtas with clear responses then at that stage.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from. We are aware that the issue of apartheid has been raised in a number of reports, of which we have taken very careful note, from United Nations rapporteurs and civil society organisations. We support civil society organisations through vital funding despite the fact that some of them are designated as terrorist organisations by the Israeli...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Language is fairly straightforward.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Gannon's earlier point that apartheid is more than language. Using phrases such as "call it for what it is" is fairly straightforward to do. We could remove ourselves from the entire engagement and just call it what we think it is. Would it advance the situation? That is the call. We have continually remained engaged and that engagement is important. With regard to the...

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

Micheál Martin: In my engagements with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and the Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, I underlined that Ireland’s approach is grounded in respect for international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law, and that the fundamentals of our position are based on internationally agreed parameters and...

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

Micheál Martin: That is an unfair and incorrect assessment of it. Ireland has called it out. As Minister I have called out the actions in terms of expansions of settlements. We have repeatedly called it out at all international forums. We have submitted a very comprehensive statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: What was interesting during the visit was that these were not cosy chats with our Israeli interlocutors, I can assure the Deputy, because the Israeli Government perception of Ireland is that we are one of the most - how do I put it - hostile states with regard to the Israeli position, if they even use that language, and that this State takes a position which is negative. That is how the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Again, I say to the Deputy that the Israeli Government is in no doubt about Ireland's position on this. It does not like it and does not waste time in articulating the fact that it does not like our position. This is not just about sending messages and sloganeering. The Israeli Government is well aware of our position. Behind it all, it accepts our genuine interest in a resolution of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. Policies and actions that negatively impact upon the rights of the Palestinian people were a central focus of all my exchanges throughout my visit to Israel and to the occupied Palestinian territory. In Israel, I had a full and frank discussion with President Netanyahu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eli Cohen, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: My visit to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan was an important step in Ireland’s long-standing support for international efforts to achieve peace in the region. My insights from engaging with the situation on the ground will shape Ireland’s constructive role in promoting a sustainable political horizon. During the visit, I highlighted my deep concern with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent on 18 September. Amendments made in the course of its passage through the UK Parliament did not fundamentally alter the substance of the legislation. It is worth recalling that the new legacy Act represents a unilateral move by the UK Government away from...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy. He is correct in saying there is unity of purpose in this House in respect of this Act. I would like to think I will have that advice within the next ten days. Any actions we take have to be based on very solid grounds. This has to be done robustly, rigorously and with due diligence. I do not believe in doing things on political instincts alone. It has always been...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I said in my original reply, I have been guided by a victim-centred approach from the very beginning of this. I have met with many victims' groups regarding this legislation. We have also raised the issue effectively in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe, both politically and at an official level, since the publication of the Bill in May 2022. Most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 18 together. With a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, Iconvened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in June. This was the first time the State has ever embarked on a national conversation on security and defence issues in this manner. The aim of the Forum was to provide an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 45 together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports. Thanks to significant investment by the Government and the dedicated work of the Passport Service staff, all turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. Almost 800,000 passports have been issued to date in 2023 and forecasts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disaster Response (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 37 and 41 together. I was shocked and saddened to learn of the earthquake in Morocco and of the flooding in Libya which has claimed so many lives. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, the injured and emergency responders. In Libya, the flooding has affected a country whose people have already endured years of conflict, poverty and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 46 and 49 together. Ukraine continues to be a regular focus of discussions at EU level, in the face of Russia’s ongoing illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 22 together. Ireland has been providing support to Ukraine and Moldova, both bilaterally and through the EU budget, since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. On 19 September, I announced €23 million in new humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine and Moldova, which will include funding to...