Results 8,221-8,240 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not believe there is huge concern that this is an initiative to undermine military neutrality. It might be a huge concern to some who are contriving that huge concern, but nobody is afraid of debate in this country or of a broad conversation about the international situation in terms of Irish foreign policy and the international security policy of the State. In order to build a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I regret the knee-jerk antagonistic approach the Deputy is taking to this. As soon as I announced it, the Deputy was out like a flash saying it was a threat to military neutrality. Why is the Deputy afraid of such debate? Why is he afraid of this country having an informed, open and public discussion about broader issues of the international threats facing the world and which Ireland has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I hope we are not going to go down that path. I anticipated this approach: attack the initiative in an immediate way without giving it due consideration, which the Deputy has done. He immediately attacked it. Now he seems to be focusing on the person, which is wrong.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Policy (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are talking about a distinguished academic with tremendous credentials, an Irish person who did exceptionally well and, in my view, is an excellent choice to chair the forum. The chair will be asked to compile a report. There is no preconceived or predetermined outcome. It is a consultative forum. It will be open to the public. The public will be able to attend and people will make...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. The Government takes a holistic approach to this engagement; Ireland's relationship with China is not considered separately from our values and priorities when it comes to human rights. In this context, Ireland consistently raises points of concern directly with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Prime Minister Ana Brnabic visited Ireland from 19 to 21 April, her first visit here as Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. I was pleased to welcome her to Iveagh House on the afternoon of 20 April, where we had a wide-ranging exchange. Prime Minister Brnabic also met the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment during her visit. We spoke, in particular,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The visit by President Biden to Ireland was a truly historic occasion which reinforced the close bonds and historic links between our two countries. I accompanied President Biden to Co. Louth, which included a visit to his ancestral home in the Cooley Peninsula and engagements with community groups in Dundalk. In Carlingford Castle, we saw from where James Finnegan, the President's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 42 and 64 together. The Government continues to consistently communicate its deep concerns about the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill currently before the UK parliament. I have engaged with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on legacy issues at every available opportunity, including at the British Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 61 together. Ireland has consistently supported the adoption of strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. The EU has adopted ten sanctions packages in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Measures introduced include asset freezes, travel bans, trade restrictions, the deSwifting of Russian banks,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, indigenous communities and civil society space in Colombia. Engagement on these issues is a strong component of our bilateral relations with Colombia and our support to the Colombian Peace Process. Since the signing of the Colombian Peace Agreement in 2016, Ireland has provided over €20 million in funding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (27 Apr 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. The European Union and its Member States have collectively pledged assistance of over €67 billion to Ukraine and its people, including financial support, humanitarian assistance, budgetary support, military assistance, and the hosting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 24 together. On 24 March, the EU-UK Joint Committee which oversees the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement met to formally adopt the Windsor Framework. This finalised the agreement in principle announced by Commission President von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Sunak on 27 February The focus is now on the implementation of the agreed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 51 together. The issues raised by the Deputy are of vital importance. Access to justice is an important human rights issue. I am aware of the ongoing delays that persons awaiting trial in Northern Ireland are experiencing. The issues identified by the Deputy are the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland, including the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department. To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case. I have discussed the matter with the Foreign Minister of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 39 and 53 together. I reiterate the comments made in my reply to Deputy Connolly to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 21 March 2023. Our position remains unchanged. Ireland is committed to supporting a just and sustainable peace on the basis of a two-State solution. I have not yet spoken to my Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Cohen, though hope to do...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: We are currently in the busy season for passports, as citizens prepare for their upcoming summer travel plans. Thanks to the staffing and operational plans implemented for 2023, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current high demand, and has issued almost 350,000 passports to date this year. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: The international security environment has changed significantly over the last year. In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I have convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy to discuss the issues involved. The Consultative Forum will take place in three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 34 and 52 together. The Government and our EU partners remain seriously concerned at the situation in Sudan. Heavy fighting, including airstrikes, has been taking place across Khartoum and the rest of Sudan since 15 April. Hospitals and critical infrastructure have been attacked. At least 500 people have been killed and thousands injured. Civilians are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has clearly condemned Iran’s repression of peaceful protests. We have raised our concerns repeatedly with the Iranian Embassy in Dublin and with officials in Tehran. I also spoke with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland on 20 January last. Sanctions are an important tool of foreign policy, used to deter States from pursuing actions which threaten either international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Apr 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The...