Results 7,561-7,580 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the focus of the Deputy in respect of urgent cases. The Passport Office has implemented operational and staffing plans for 2023. In general, it is meeting demand. All processing times are at their target levels. I have been told that there are no backlogs. As I said earlier, approximately half of simple adult renewals are issued within two working days. Approximately 18...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: They are certainly not put to the back of the queue. I want to stress this. I have been speaking to officials in recent days, and I am very clear about this. As Deputy Carthy said, the issue in the case he outlined was that the Garda did not record it. There was an issue with the Garda witness verification in that specific case. I do not have the full details. Where the passport service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 25, 27 and 44 together. The full and effective implementation and operation of the Good Friday Agreement across all three Strands is a key priority for this Government: the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; as well as the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been, and continues to be, a consistent and strong supporter of pursuing accountability for the most serious international crimes. We will continue to utilise all relevant international fora, including the UN, to advocate for an end to impunity for international crimes and to promote the International Criminal Court (ICC). As the first permanent international court, the ICC is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli blockade, in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, is a matter of long-standing concern. In particular, I am deeply concerned by reports that over 1 million children in Gaza today have constrained access to essential services, including food, water, education and health care. I welcome that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to reiterate Ireland's unequivocal and steadfast support for the people and Government of Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February last year, Russia has launched hundreds of drone and missile strikes in Ukraine with the apparent aim of terrorising the civilian population and destroying civilian infrastructure. In recent weeks these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 21, 41, 48 and 66 together. Following consideration by Government, I was pleased to launch a new Statement of Strategy 2023-25 on 1 June. The Statement focuses on how my Department implements the commitments assigned to us in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future and how we will meet the many international challenges that Ireland and the global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the North South Ministerial Council to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Administrations. The Council oversees work in twelve Areas of Co-operation. In six of these, work is progressed jointly by relevant Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In Stormont House in 2014, the two Governments and most of the Assembly parties agreed a way forward on legacy which would meet the needs of victims, uphold human rights and contribute to reconciliation, an approach endorsed again in the Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach agreements. However, in May 2022, with the publication of its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the reaching of agreement on a General Approach for the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation and Asylum Procedure Regulation by Home Affairs Ministers at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 8 June 2023. Minister of State James Browne led the Irish delegation at that Council meeting. Policy responsibility for these issues is a matter for the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 43, 56 and 71 together. The security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. In the space of just over a year, we have witnessed Russia’s illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, resulting in major conflict returning to the European continent for the first time in decades, and millions of civilians forced to flee and take refuge across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I maintain regular contact with the Ukrainian Government, both through the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, and directly with my counterpart in Kyiv, Minister Kuleba. In January of this year I had an introductory phone call with Minister Kuleba. We discussed a number of issues regarding Ireland’s support to Ukraine, including the prospects for a just and sustainable peace,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shared Island Initiative (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Shared Island Initiative is a whole of Government endeavour, co-ordinated by the Shared Island Unit in Department of the Taoiseach working closely with policy lead Departments and Agencies. The Department of Foreign Affairs works in partnership with the Department of the Taoiseach in playing an active role across Government in delivering on the objectives of the Shared Island Initiative....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Officials in my Department undertook a series of consultations around the use of the term “Irish Aid” towards the end of last year. As a result of these consultations it was decided to phase out the use of the term “Irish Aid” overseas, replacing it with “Government of Ireland International Development Programme”. Feedback from stakeholders was such...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together. Addressing the status of undocumented Irish citizens in the United States remains a priority for the Government. Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with U.S. political representatives. The Government actively supports the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's relationship with China is one that we value. We have built enduring links in education and people to people engagement and our economic relationship reached €34.5 billion in two-way trade in 2021. Since China reopened to inward visits, the Government has enhanced our high-level engagement. My colleague Minister Eamon Ryan visited China to mark St. Patrick’s Day;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 37 together. On 6 June, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant Dam (Kakhovka Dam) across the Dnipro river was destroyed, unleashing a torrent of flood water across the conflict zone. The destruction of Kakhovka dam is a serious development, which poses a severe threat to human life and the environment, and will have far-reaching consequences. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs assisted more than 280 Irish citizens and their dependents to evacuate from Sudan during the acute consular phase of the crisis there between 15 April and 25 May. We have maintained close contact with registered citizens in Sudan throughout the crisis. Any citizens remaining in Sudan and seeking consular assistance should contact the Embassy of Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland welcomed the decision of the European Council last June to grant EU candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine, an outcome we had long advocated for. As I reiterated when I spoke to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in January, and as the Taoiseach reaffirmed to President Sandu in Chisinau on 1 June, Ireland strongly supports Moldova's application for EU membership....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 55 together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports, and has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and over half of all online adult renewals issue within 2 working days. The Customer Service Hub is responding efficiently to an average of 15,000...