Results 7,301-7,320 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is, and we are doing it. Israel did not attend the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum, which is composed of EU member states and regional partners. The sole topic of discussion was the Middle East and the war in Gaza. With like-minded EU member states, we are pushing hard to get a credible pathway to peace, one that involves a two-state solution. That is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are. It is the entire focus of our diplomatic endeavours. In my work and the work of the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government, we have tried in the first instance to work with other EU member states to push towards a permanent cessation of the war. It cannot be said often enough how savage the Hamas atrocity at the outset of this war was. It had an impact on the Israeli psyche...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I want all the violence to end. That is why I went to Israel. It was not only to help to get Irish citizens out of Gaza, who at that stage had not left. It was also to speak directly with the Israeli Government and say we believe a humanitarian ceasefire is the only way and to put our point of view. We also went to other states and to Ramallah in the West Bank as well. Members of Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: You did. Not Deputy Carthy personally, but his party did. The Deputy should go through it - the party's councillors, TDs and everyone did. I was accused of complicity and whatever. Suffice it to say we both agree on the need for this war to end. As I said earlier, it would be unconscionable for the war to resume. Too many lives have been lost, including those of too many innocent...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ensuring the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens who wish to leave, and their accompanying dependants, is a priority of the Government. From the beginning of the crisis, I worked tirelessly to facilitate the necessary clearance from the relevant authorities for Irish citizens to exit Gaza, together with the family members accompanying them. Throughout October and November, I spoke...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Clearance to exit Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities, essentially the Israeli and Egyptian authorities which facilitate and process it. These authorities have made it clear to all countries with citizens in Gaza that the focus for facilitating departures from Gaza is on foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependants accompanying...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I pay tribute to the embassy in Tel Aviv and our ambassadors in Israel, Egypt and Ramallah and the teams that work with them for the efforts they have made in challenging circumstances, and to the headquarters team in Dublin that coordinates all our efforts to get civilians out. They are in contact at least once a day with Irish citizens who wish to depart. The Department has facilitated...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think the Deputy's presentation, frankly, is politically dishonest. He says the world and the global south are watching and accusing us of double standards. They do not accuse Ireland of double standards at all. I have met representatives of all the Arab states in the region and I have met those from African states. Whenever it comes to talking about the Middle East, they make an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 144 and 146 together. I thank the Deputy for tabling these questions. I want to start by offering my condolences to the families of the three people who were killed in a terror attack in Jerusalem this morning. I unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism. I also want to offer my condolences to the families of the two children killed in Jenin yesterday...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The aircraft noise competent authority, ANCA, is the noise regulator. It was established under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019. Its statutory functions include monitoring the impact of aircraft noise, assessing proposals for development at Dublin Airport and regulating for the management of aircraft noise. In 2022, ANCA defined a noise abatement objective, NAO, for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Shanahan's detailed analysis of Cork development is always appreciated. If he could communicate it to Cork local media, it would be helpful.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It would be an extraordinary feat if the Minister for Finance could manage to go to Waterford this week and bring a runway under his arm. I will speak to him about the issues involved. There has been significant development in Waterford, and the economy there has improved greatly over the past three years.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Shanahan's point, but in terms of foreign direct investment into Waterford and domestic industries developing, it is a different story. In this regard, I refer to the investment in the quays by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, by means of the urban regeneration and development fund.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: There has been a huge commitment to Waterford. Sometimes Deputy Shanahan has to balance it with the positives as well.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is also the increase in employment. The aviation world has been challenging, not only in terms of Covid but also developments across different parts of the country.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Actually, Dublin is dominating aviation.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Murchú said that he has tabled questions to the Minister for Health.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I presume the Minister will provide detailed replies to him. The objective of the Government and the NAS is in line with protocols to get ambulances to people as quickly as possible. Deputy Ó Murchú indicated that the service that was eventually provided was excellent. I ask Deputy Ó Murchú to give me the details of the case and perhaps forward them to the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Wynne. I also want to articulate my sympathies to the family of the late Tras Honan. She was an outstanding parliamentarian who was very proud of her roots and background. She was a force of nature in the Houses and her parliamentary party. Perhaps there will be an opportunity in the Seanad to pay a more meaningful and detailed tribute to her work at an appropriate time. ...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have made strong progress on offshore wind. A major Government policy to help deliver Ireland's ambitious climate energy targets is the auction-based renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, through which grid-scale renewable electricity generation projects compete to receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. More than 1 GW and 1.8 GW of new wind and solar...