Results 7,621-7,640 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: That was a disgraceful presentation. The Deputy mentioned Andrew Cottey. He is holder of the Jean Monnet chair at UCC. The Deputy should not name people and try to undermine them in the way he has just done. That is shocking intolerance of the whole idea of debate. Why is the Deputy so opposed to people with different perspectives coming together in a framework to have discussions?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In this House, there are different perspectives on all sorts of issues. It seems as if the Deputy is saying that if someone holds a particular position, he or she should not even be in the House. Deputy Berry might have a particular view on a range of issues which differs from that of Deputy Barry, but Deputy Barry seems to have an approach of complete intolerance when it comes to that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has the names.There are quite a number of them. He picked five or six. He has been unfair to those individuals too. His intolerance of debate and his attempt to try to undermine people by attacking them as opposed to the commenting on issues is reprehensible. I have no time for this; it is outrageous carry-on.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Alternative to what?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Our position on military neutrality is very clear. It is not changing, even in the context of this conference. There is no predetermined outcome. Is the Deputy saying that Professor Gary Murphy is problematic? I can go through the full list. It is not fair to single out any individual. These are people who have achieved academic positions in various institutions. I find the thought...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's perspective is one where if a person even has a hint of a view that is different to his, that person should not be given a platform.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy mentioned Dan O'Brien. Ireland is about free media, free speech and free rights to ideas and opinions. The Deputy seems to want to extinguish certain ideas before they even have a chance to get a platform. He does not even want to give platforms to people who might have an alternative view to his. That is extraordinary.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is a very broad range of views. I challenge Deputy Barry on this. He is not going to get away with snuffing out debate by attacking people as opposed to dealing with the issue.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am extremely concerned by the incursion by Israeli forces into Ramallah last week, which was significant in scale and resulted in civilian casualties, several resulting from the use of live ammunition. This action forms part of a deeply worrying trend that we have witnessed over recent months, including the raids by Israeli forces on the city of...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The passport service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued more than 510,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level and more than half of all online adult renewals issue within two working days. The customer service hub is responding to an average of 15,000 queries per week. I would...

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...