Results 7,381-7,400 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 204 and 205 together. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The purpose of a referral under Article 14 of the Rome Statute of the ICC is to request the Prosecutor to initiate an investigation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was disappointed by Prime Minister Orbán’s decision to meet with Vladimir Putin in China on 17 October. I do not believe that such outreach will serve to advance peace, but rather risks undermining the solidarity the EU has shown Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the EU provides a strong signal of EU unity in terms of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. I met the citizen recently and I fully appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. I have engaged with my counterpart in the jurisdiction on the case and the Embassy of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, has consistently called on China to use its influence on Russia to press them to bring an end to their illegal war in Ukraine. During my visit to Beijing earlier this month, I raised Russia's war in Ukraine with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Vice President Han, and with Minister Liu Jianchao. I underlined the impacts of the conflict on Ukraine and its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established as the first permanent international court to end impunity for the perpetrators of international crimes. By its very existence the Court not only promotes and upholds the rule of law but also provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. In this way it...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Together with our EU partners, Ireland remains steadfast in our support for Moldova, which has demonstrated a firm commitment to its ambitious reform agenda and to realising its EU membership ambitions. This commitment is particularly laudable in light of the significant challenges that Moldova faces, not least in light of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. As you will be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Azerbaijan’s military escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September resulted in the mass exodus of an estimated 100,000 Karabakh Armenians from the region. The welfare of those who fled, as well as the small number that remain, is our primary concern. Together with our partners, Ireland has been active at European Union level, at the Council of Europe, at the Organisation for Security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Following the UN Secretary General’s Our Common Agenda (OCA) proposals in 2021, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution to hold the Summit of the Future in September 2024. Practical consultations on preparations for the Summit began in February 2023 and a Ministerial meeting took place in September during UNGA High Level Week. A Pact for the Future will be endorsed by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 900,000 passports to date in 2023. Between 2,000 and 3,000 passports are being issued every day. All turnaround times are at or ahead of target and there are no backlogs. More than half of simple adult renewals issue within two working days or less. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 08 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual package of enlargement reports, which assess the progress made by candidate countries to date in reaching the required milestones for EU membership. Based on the progress made to date in fulfilling the key recommendations set out by the Commission in the relevant Opinions, the Commission has recommended that the Council: opens...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I want to thank the Deputy for raising this case and to express to the family concerned my appreciation of the deeply difficult circumstances they are confronting with such resilience and steadfastness. As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot comment on the details of specific cases, but I do want to assure you that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the family...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: EU unity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked, immoral and illegal aggression against Ukraine remains steadfast. I understand that Slovakia’s recently appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Juraj Blanár, has met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovakia to reaffirm Slovakia’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. I also understand that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was pleased to launch the Shared Island Civic Society Fund earlier this year, in response to a need identified in the Shared Island dialogues for targeted support for civic society across the island to work more effectively together on issues of common interest. The Fund is aimed at civic society and community organisations. It supports them in the development of practical North South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is represented by two diplomatic missions in Australia, with an Embassy in Canberra and a Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy and the Consulate work to promote and protect Irish interests in Australia, to strengthen political and economic relationships, to support the Irish community, to promote cultural ties and the Irish arts. In addition, our Honorary Consul in Perth provides...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 217 together. The first international donor conference dedicated to the humanitarian demining of Ukraine was co-organised by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of Ukraine in Zagreb on 11 - 12 October 2023. Ireland was represented by our Ambassador to Croatia. I welcome that participants sent a clear message that Ukraine...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I engage regularly with all relevant stakeholders, including the British Government and representatives of the main Northern Ireland parties, to encourage the timely restoration of the Northern Ireland power-sharing institutions. In my recent meetings with the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland earlier this week at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference and last week at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Our Common Agenda (OCA) is the UN Secretary-General's vision for the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism, and for turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to better respond to and deliver for people and planet. It outlines possible solutions to address the gaps and risks that have emerged since 2015, calling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to the region from 14-16 November as part of the Government’s continuing and intensive engagement on the current crisis in Israel and Gaza. A key focus was the situation of Irish citizens in Gaza and the case of an Irish citizen who is believed to be held hostage in Gaza. My engagements during the visit also provided an opportunity to repeat my call for an immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have been clear from the start that any response by Israel to the brutal attacks of 7 October must comply fully with international law, including International Humanitarian Law and with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. I have repeatedly expressed my deep concern at the situation in Gaza and underlining the need for respect for international humanitarian law...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (30 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports President Zelenskyy’s 10-Point Peace Plan and is committed to engaging in diplomatic outreach and multilateral cooperation to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. At EU level, there has been substantial work on coordinating global outreach on Ukraine to third countries. In September, our engagement at the UN...