Results 9,421-9,440 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 142 together. Last month, my Department published its new Statement of Strategy, which focuses on how the Department will seek to implement commitments set out in the Programme for Government to meet international challenges between 2023 and 2025. Among the goals set out in our Statement of Strategy is supporting peace and reconciliation at home,...

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

Micheál Martin: The values and framework of the Good Friday Agreement, across its three Strands, are the foundation on which relationships across these islands are built, within Northern Ireland (Strand One), on this island (Strand Two), and East West (Strand Three). The Agreement directly informs how the two Governments engage on a range of policy issues, in particular at this time the urgent need to...

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

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another....

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

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement across all its three strands is a key priority. Critical to this is the restoration of the Assembly and Executive, to give effect to the mandate given by the people of Northern Ireland in May 2022. The absence of a functioning Executive impacts on Strand Two of the Agreement, given the interoperability...

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

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a key priority for this Government, across all three Strands - the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland; the North South Ministerial Council and the Cross Border Bodies; and the East-West institutions. The Agreement is designed so that these institutions support and reinforce one another....

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. I was in Belfast last week and while I was there I spoke with the main political parties. It is clear that there is a genuine desire to get the Executive back up and running. I believe there is a window of opportunity following the local...

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

Micheál Martin: The Good Friday Agreement is the agreed framework for relations across these islands. At the heart of the Agreement is parity of esteem, and a set of values which enable relations to be taken forward meaningfully, including a shared commitment to mutual respect and the civil and religious rights of all. It affirms the right to pursue democratically national and political aspirations,...

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

Micheál Martin: The values and framework of the Good Friday Agreement, across its three Strands, are the foundation on which relationships across these islands are built, within Northern Ireland (Strand One), on this island (Strand Two), and East West (Strand Three). The Agreement directly informs how the two Governments engage on a range of policy issues, in particular at this time the urgent need to...

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

Micheál Martin: 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. This reckless act is yet another brutal consequence of...

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

Micheál Martin: The full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement across all three strands is a key priority for this Government. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. In recent weeks we have seen cuts to services that will affect Northern Ireland's most vulnerable. It is vital that the people of Northern Ireland are...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland is fully committed to the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity. I met with Wang Yi at the Munich Security Council in February...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for these applications were received on 02 June 2023. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

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

Micheál Martin: Conflict and human rights abuses regrettably continue to be prevalent throughout the world and are a significant driver of humanitarian crises. The number and complexity of these crises globally has increased in recent years, as evidenced by the UN estimating that in 2023, a record 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection – a significant increase from 274...

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

Micheál Martin: The Western Balkans lies at the heart of Europe. Its future is unquestionably within the European Union. Given that, Ireland has a clear strategic interest in fostering good relations between the communities in the Western Balkans, and between the EU and the region. We do this in numerous ways. First, by facilitating intra-regional dialogue, such as the EU-chaired Belgrade-Pristina...

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

Micheál Martin: The recruitment of child soldiers, a grave human rights violation, remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world. Ireland is committed to the protection of children in armed conflict and in humanitarian settings, a shared priority of both the EU and UN. At the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council in March 2023, Ireland...