Results 7,121-7,140 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. In the absence of progress towards a two-State solution,...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together. Recent global crises such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis have once again highlighted the need for a reformed UN. Ireland is making a positive impact across the work of the United Nations and is engaged in seeking reforms, including in support of the UN Secretary General’s...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has held a strong and unwavering commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) since its adoption in Dublin in 2008. Along with the other over 100 States Parties to the CCM, Ireland's position remains that these weapons are, by nature, indiscriminate and imprecise. In line with our obligations under the CCM, Ireland will not use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile,...

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

Micheál Martin: There are currently 18 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Ireland who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - 7 Diplomats and 11 Administrative and Technical staff. This includes the Russian Ambassador, Yury Filatov. Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine there were a total of 30 officers at the Embassy - 14...

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

Micheál Martin: The UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction ("BBNJ") was adopted by consensus at the United Nations on 19 June 2023. It was opened for signature in New York on 20 September and Ireland was among the first countries to sign on that day. Signature is subject to ratification. The objective of the BBNJ Agreement is the conservation and sustainable use of marine...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU membership for the countries of the Western Balkans, provided that they meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the clear need for continuing, ever-closer cooperation between the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority, in fulfillment of the Programme for a Partnership Government. The continuing absence of a substantive response from the British government on these motions is of deep concern and is an issue I consistently raise with UK Ministers. When I met with the Secretary of...

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

Micheál Martin: The tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody just over a year ago has focussed attention on the systemic discrimination against women and girls in public and private life in Iran. Ireland has been clear in condemning Iran’s oppression of the subsequent widespread peaceful protests. Ireland expects Iran to uphold its international obligations, particularly the International...

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

Micheál Martin: Australia and Ireland share close and long-standing connections, underpinned by strong people-to-people links.In 2021, we celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations with Australia and our Embassies are engaged in a range of activities to deepen bilateral engagement as well as cooperation at multilateral level. Ireland is represented by two diplomatic missions in Australia, with an...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has had extensive diplomatic and political relations with Canada since the foundation of the State. Diplomatic relations were established in 1939 and the 85th anniversary of diplomatic relations takes place in 2024. Irish heritage in Canada is deeply rooted with some 4.5 million or 14% having Irish ancestry. The influence of those with Irish heritage in Canada and their affinity...

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

Micheál Martin: I had an open and frank exchange of views with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during my recent visit to Israel. In addition to issues relating to the the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, our discussions covered regional issues and bilateral relations. I raised a number of the Government’s concerns, which are also widely shared by this House. In particular, I underlined...

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

Micheál Martin: My colleague, Minister for European Affairs, Peter Burke, T.D., attended the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 19 September at which two members of the Franco-German expert group presented their report and recommendations to the Council. The expert group, comprised of twelve independent members from both France and Germany, was established by the French and German governments as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will meet next in Dublin on 28 November, the third meeting of the Conference this year following meetings in London in June and Dublin in January. The Conference was established under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral cooperation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of the British and...

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

Micheál Martin: Passport Online is available to 99.9% of all passport applicants worldwide and works particularly well for adult renewal applications as over half of these applications are processed within 2 working days. While Irish embassies and consular missions overseas can issue travel documentation for emergencies, they have limited capacity to issue passports due to the efficiency of the centralised...

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

Micheál Martin: The Embassy of Ireland in London works actively to promote and protect Ireland’s interests in Great Britain, with a particular focus on supporting political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between our two countries. The Embassy is Ireland’s largest bilateral diplomatic mission in a single city and includes representation from seven Government Departments. The...

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

Micheál Martin: I have raised the case of the person in question and the family's desire for answers on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department met with the family in November 2021. On 24 February 2023, I met with the family, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. Officials from my Department were in direct contact with the family again...

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

Micheál Martin: I was a keynote speaker at the British Irish Association’s annual conference, which this year took place in Oxford. The aim of the British-Irish Association is to promote mutual understanding between the people of our islands, to identify emerging issues, to support positive change and to look to the future. Such an ambition is ever more important against the backdrop of the...

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

Micheál Martin: During my visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, I discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with key stakeholders and participated in events focused on revitalising the peace process, including the EU-led Peace Day Initiative. I emphasised Ireland’s concerns about increased violence, incursions and settler attacks in the occupied Palestinian...

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

Micheál Martin: There are numerous credible reports that Russia has engaged in the large-scale deportation of Ukrainian women and children to the territory of Russia and Belarus since the beginning of its illegal invasion. Almost 20,000 children have been identified by Ukraine as having been forcibly deported from their homes. Ireland believes that all reports of human rights violations should be...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to support Ukraine and oppose Russia’s illegal invasion and assault on international law. We have repeatedly called on Russia to end its war of choice, to comply with its obligations under international law, and to withdraw all forces unconditionally from the internationally recognised...