Results 7,581-7,600 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the issues that have arisen in Pakistan in recent weeks following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and subsequent protests, demonstrations and arrests. I am concerned in relation to reports of plans to try civilians in military courts. My Department regularly engages with Pakistan, both bilaterally and...

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

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing violence in Myanmar. The military coup in Myanmar has resulted in at more than 3,600 deaths. In recent days, brutal attacks on civilians in villages in Ye township, Mon State and in the Sagaing Region resulted in the maiming and killing of innocent people. 1.8 million people have been displaced, 400,000 of them in the last three months. 17.6...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s diplomatic presence has been expanding significantly since the Government adopted the Global Ireland Strategy which aimed to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025. Thus far, Ireland has opened or announced twenty-two of the twenty-six missions planned for under the Strategy, that is, eleven bilateral Embassies and eleven...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together. On Friday 24 February 2023, I met with the family of the person in question, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. Officials in my Department met with the family in November, 2021 and in early February 2023. Last week, my officials provided the family with an update on engagement with the UK Government on the case and on...

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

Micheál Martin: There are currently 20 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - 8 Diplomats and 12 Administrative and Technical staff. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine there were a total of 30 officers at the Embassy, 14 diplomats and 16 Administrative and Technical staff. Ireland continues to...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland is consistently engaged at the European Union and United Nations in response to Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression, and support for Ukraine in the face of this aggression. Last month, I participated in the informal Gymnich meeting of Foreign Ministers in Sweden in early May, and the May Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). I will continue this engagement at the...

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

Micheál Martin: I continue to raise the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory as a matter of priority with my EU colleagues. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January, I, along with my EU counterparts, met with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and Foreign Minister, Riad Malki. This was a welcome and timely engagement, particularly in light of the deteriorating security...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been unequivocal in our support for the people and Government of Ukraine, following Russia’s full-scale invasion. We remain unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its right to defend itself against sustained Russian aggression. Ireland is actively engaged in multilateral fora, including at the European Union and United...

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

Micheál Martin: Global humanitarian needs have reached an all-time high in 2023. The UN estimates that 345 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 69 countries. Through our international development programme, Ireland has responded to the high levels of need with increased humanitarian funding. In 2022, Ireland’s swift responses to the Ukraine crisis and the danger of famine in the...

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

Micheál Martin: The development of a free, open, peaceful and secure cyber space to facilitate economic and social development is an important objective for this Government and my Department. As part of the whole-of-Government approach as outlined in the 2019 – 2024 National Cyber Security Strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs plays an active role on international cyber issues, in close...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (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, cooperation, and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the Administrations. It also provided for the establishment of North South Implementation Bodies to progress North South cooperation in agreed areas....

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for asking this question about the very important work that the Department is undertaking to mitigate climate change. The Management Board of the Department published the Climate Action Roadmap on 21stMarch 2023. The Deputy can view the document here: Climate-Action-Roadmap-DFA-2023.pdf The headline targets in this Roadmap commit the Department to reducing Green House...

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

Micheál Martin: I am deeply saddened by the killing of two-year-old Mohammed Tamimi and extend my condolences to the family. The death of Mohammed marked a further tragic milestone in a year that has witnessed a shocking increase in the number of civilian casualties. As the occupying power, Israel is required to protect civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. Against the backdrop of this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the widespread expansion of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new context that was not previously present for many cross-border workers. My Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, are actively engaged on a range of issues relating to cross-border working on the island of...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a consistent policy on the status of Western Sahara, and its potential future constitutional arrangements. As per the United Nations position, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. Our long-standing policy is to support the UN Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. We do not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The full and effective implementation and operation of the Good Friday Agreement across all three Strands is a key priority for this Government. It is a matter of great regret that, twenty-five years on from the Agreement being signed, its institutions are not being allowed to deliver to their full capacity for the benefit of the people of this island. The people of Northern Ireland are...

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 Northern Ireland's parties agreed a way forward on legacy which would meet the needs of victims, uphold human rights and contribute to reconciliation. This approach endorsed was 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...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland, and the EU, believe that the long-standing US economic embargo against Cuba serves no constructive purpose and believe the US unilateral measures against Cuba should be ended. It is our position that the USA’s economic, commercial and financial embargo contributes to the economic crisis in Cuba, negatively affecting the living standards of the Cuban people and resulting in...

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

Micheál Martin: I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland, reiterating the urgent need for a functioning Assembly and Executive. While in Belfast last week I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running, although differences of perspectives between parties. I believe there is a window of...