Results 9,741-9,760 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU’s Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, provides training to Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel on the territory of EU Member States. It is important to note that while the Government Decision provides for the deployment of up to thirty personnel at any given time, the nature of the mission is such that there are likely to be considerable periods during its two-year...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information as requested. While data is recorded on a voluntary basis upon assignment, and details of Department-funded training is recorded, officers are not obliged to declare their qualifications. However, from the information available, officers in the Department hold qualifications across a range of disciplines and at various levels up...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Service (22 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department is committed to providing an excellent and proactive Learning & Development service to all officers aligned with our strategic objectives, which values staff and develops their careers in a supportive environment to achieve success. Based on the information available, the number of training interventions per grade is outlined in the table below. It should be noted by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: They continue to be endorsed by Sinn Féin. I respectfully put it to the Deputy that there is an issue which Sinn Féin needs to deal with, because it undermines its credibility to attack the British Government for its failure in respect of some security issues and then for victims to still not get answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland completed its term on the UN Security Council at the end of 2022. During the term, the Middle East peace process was a key priority for Ireland. The United Nations Security Council discusses the situation monthly, and Ireland used these opportunities to underscore the importance we attach to the effort to secure a just...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am conscious that there is general consensus in the House about having a two-state solution and of the concern that Members have about this particular Israeli Government, with its very-far-right members who are articulating-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----outrageous and racist comments in respect of Palestinians which, in themselves, represent an incitement to attacks on Palestinians and almost an endorsement of what happened in Huwara with the appalling attacks on Palestinian citizens there. The strategic approach has to involve working with those in the neighbourhood in the first instance who are endeavouring to de-escalate and to see...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland plays a leadership role at European Union level in taking a consistent, clear, firm position on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. I work closely with EU partners to ensure that the Israeli and Palestinian conflict remains central to the EU's foreign policy. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January, EU foreign ministers had an exchange with the Palestinian...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Haughey's questions, again we have been strong and robust in our exchanges with the UK Government in respect of this legacy Bill. We think it is a wrong thing to do; it has no agreement within Northern Ireland. I met with victims who are extremely angry about it and are very concerned about its implications. I will marry Deputy Haughey's question with that of Deputy Howlin...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is a founding member but this seems to be pandering to an election mandate, manifesto and so on. It shows significant disregard of the plight and the wishes of victims in Northern Ireland in respect of their having the capacity to have investigations into their loved ones carried out and closure brought to their situations. To answer Deputy Haughey's question, we will continue to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the Omagh bombing, we have to keep on saying that what happened in Omagh was an unspeakable act of barbarity and cruelty. The terrorists who carried the bombing out had no sense of any humanity and they displayed a complete and shocking disregard for human life. We welcome the announcement of the UK that it intends to hold a public inquiry. We got a heads-up and there was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Good Friday Agreement (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think Deputy Durkan is correct that many people forget the enormous impact the Good Friday Agreement had at the time. I was a youngster when the Troubles started. I witnessed many atrocities, as we all did, on a regular basis with daily news bulletins and so on. When the breakthrough came ,when Albert Reynolds and John Major announced the Downing Street Declaration, it was something...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 115 together. The Good Friday Agreement says we can best honour those who died or were injured, and their families, through a firm dedication to reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all. This has framed the Government’s approach to the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Good Friday Agreement (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Durkan's points, the opportunity does exist. The 25th anniversary is rightly to celebrate the courage of all those involved in arriving at the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago and marking the fact a whole generation grew up in peace and not in conflict in comparison with what had happened prior to that. Equally, it is an opportunity to pivot to the future, and the appointment of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: As I said, we are confirming that it will be launched shortly. The word "shortly" is a very beloved word.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: However, it will be shortly. I am positive about that aspect of it. Only recently it was extended to MEPs, who did not have access to it, but I decided to give a small number of them access as well. MLAs will now get access. I do not have information about the specific week or whenever we will have it. However, it will be happening shortly and it is ready to go. As I said earlier, 90%...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The evidence so far this year in terms of the response is good; 100% of people are getting call backs and 230,000, which was the figure I gave earlier, have already been processed in three months. It is a good service and it is working well. Regarding MPs, I did not realise that Sinn Féin's MPs were that anxious to exercise their mandate. I know they ran for election but they do...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin's members were conspicuously absent during the Brexit debate-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----and it would have been very helpful if we had had more Irish voices at the time arguing about Brexit.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am glad the Deputy has given Members of my party credit for Irish independence. I appreciate that. That is a bit different from the normal narrative that comes.