Results 7,101-7,120 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

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

Micheál Martin: On 30 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 77/247, which included a request to the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Ireland voted in favour of this resolution, which was supported by 87 UN Member States. ...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government does not currently have plans to open an Embassy in Baghdad. The Embassy of Ireland in Amman is accredited to Iraq. Ireland’s global impact and diplomatic network has been strengthened by the Global Ireland Programme, which was launched in 2018. The Global Ireland programme aims to double Ireland's international impact and influence in the period 2018 to 2025,...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 44 and 56 together. The developments in Nagorno-Karabakh are a matter of serious concern to Ireland and our EU partners, and our priority remains the safety of the local population, and the humanitarian situation on the ground. On 18 September, we were encouraged by the simultaneous passage of humanitarian supplies from Armenia via the Lachin corridor...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 40, 63 and 67 together. I visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Jordan from 4-8 September 2023. In view of the continuing priority afforded by the Government to our relations with these partners and – in particular – the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this visit provided an important opportunity to meet with my...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 62 together. I visited New York from 16 to 21 September for the opening of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. The Taoiseach, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Minister for Health were also present for a series of high level UN meetings, held at senior political level. I attended the opening high level...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 35 together. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act is a unilateral and unnecessary departure by the UK Government from the agreed processes for dealing with legacy set out in the Stormont House Agreement. It was introduced without meaningful consultation with those most affected, including victims, civil society, and Northern...

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

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by recent policy and legislative initiatives of the Israeli Government regarding settlements. Settlements are illegal under international law and Israel should not make any provision to advance settlement authorisation and development. During my visit to the region, I made this view clear to all of my Israeli interlocutors including the Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu. ...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 39 together. I welcome the comments by the leader of the British Labour party that his party, if elected, would pursue a closer relationship with the European Union. For Ireland, a positive and cooperative relationship between the EU and the UK is essential for the pursuit of many areas of key national interest, an important factor in stability in...

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

Micheál Martin: An Gorta Mór - the Great Famine - had a profound impact on Irish life and society which, as I said in my remarks at the National Famine Commemoration in 2022 - “Its indelible marks are still there in our culture, our society, our politics and our place in the wider world." In 1997, on the 150th anniversary of the Famine, then British Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a...

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

Micheál Martin: International climate finance is a key priority for the Government and for Ireland’s foreign policy. At COP26 in 2021, I set a target to provide a least €225 million annually in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. My Department subsequently led on the development of Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap as the pathway to achieve this target. ...