Results 7,961-7,980 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I have raised the case of the person in question and the family's desire for answers on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Officials in my Department met with the family in November 2021 and again in February of this year. On 24 February, I met with the family, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. The strength of the family's desire...

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

Micheál Martin: It is deeply disappointing that 18 months on from the last assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and representatives of...

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

Micheál Martin: In April 2021, the European Commission published the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), a proposed law that aims to regulate AI systems in the EU. Ireland very much supports a harmonised regulatory environment across the EU in relation to AI. It welcomes the risk-based approach to regulating AI. Given that AI has evolved significantly in the last months, it is important that this...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department, via the Passport Service, has responsibility for issuing all Irish Passports under the Passports Act 2008. The Passport Service continues to experience growth in demand from Irish citizens in relation to the processing and issuance of passports. This demand is expected to continue due to demographic changes, continued increases in overseas travel by Irish citizens and other...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 180 together. Ireland has strongly supported EU sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine and emphasised the importance of effective implementation. The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Since February 2022, the EU...

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

Micheál Martin: Information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, by the Russian Federation has been of concern for the EU and its Member States for some time, and has become more acute since the illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February last year. In this regard, the Russian Federation has been seen to use a wide spectrum of tactics and techniques with the objective of...

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

Micheál Martin: The European Union has made clear its concerns about Iran's supply of military equipment to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. These concerns were expressed most recently in the Conclusions of the European Council in October. They have also been raised in the context of discussions with Iran about certain EU sanctions in the military sector. The Iranian Government is well aware...

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 last week, 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 people,...

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

Micheál Martin: I visited China from the 6th to 9th November. In Beijing, I met with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and held a courtesy call with Minister Liu Jianchao. Those meetings were an opportunity to communicate Ireland’s priorities for our relationship with China and to emphasise the values which underpin our engagement. We had frank and constructive exchanges both...

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

Micheál Martin: During the course of my duties as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I meet with various representatives both at home and abroad on a regular basis to further enhance Ireland’s position and reputation in the world. Since taking up this position, I have attended various meetings, conferences and events during which I interacted with multiple ambassadors. As regards those ambassadors or heads...

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...