Results 7,641-7,660 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

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...