Results 9,781-9,800 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am extremely concerned, just as the Deputy is, at the way things are turning out.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not disagree. I do not get the strategic approach - if one could call it that - from the Israeli Government. It ultimately undermines the security of the Israeli state itself. Israeli policy has marginalised moderate opinion within Palestine. Israeli decisions seem almost tantamount to creating fertile ground for hard-line extremist positions. That is in my view counterintuitive in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would argue that we have been using the United Nations very effectively.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: We must continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, as well as non-governmental civil society in Palestine and those who defend human rights. I apologise, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle; I am not used to the ministerial time limits.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the strategy we have been following. We engage with the neighbourhood, which is particularly important, including Jordan and Egypt, as well as with the United States. 9 o’clock The issue has to be raised in terms of the engagement of the United States of America and the European Union with Israel. There are very serious issues arising around the behaviour and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the significant increase in settler violence on the West Bank. Ireland condemns in the strongest possible terms all acts of violence committed by settlers against Palestinian civilians. Ireland uses all available opportunities to make this point, including within the European Union and at the United Nations. The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv also makes our position...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The attack on Huwara was particularly shocking in its scale and intensity and the sense of impunity. Israel has clear obligations to protect Palestinian civilians from such attacks. As the Deputy is aware, the Israeli and Palestinian security officials met at the summit in Aqaba, Jordan, last month, and again at Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday. I met with the Jordanian foreign minister on this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: An adult whose passport has expired more than five years ago will need to apply for their next passport as a first time applicant if their expired passport was issued more than 15 years ago. All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Section 8 of the Act provides for the processing of personal data by the Passport Service as required...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 (VCDR) identifies three categories of Mission staff as follows: - Diplomatic staff - Administrative and Technical staff, and - Service staff There are currently 21 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 - 9 Diplomats and 12...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84, 90 and 105 together. Every year, St Patrick’s Day celebrations provide the Government with a unique opportunity to engage with Heads of State and Government, senior politicians, business leaders, civic organisations, and the media right across the globe. It also gives us a unique opportunity to connect with and advocate on behalf of the many...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, and the European Union, have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Overall...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since I last updated on my engagements at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, two meetings have taken place. I attended a meeting on 20 February, and Minister of State Peter Burke participated in a joint meeting of EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, yesterday in Brussels. The meetings addressed a number of important issues, including the war in Ukraine, Iran, Moldova, Afghanistan, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned at the high level of civilian casualties in the occupied Palestinian territory. Last year was the deadliest year for Palestinians living in the West Bank since the UN began recording fatalities in 2005. This negative trend has continued into 2023. Israel, as an occupying power, has an obligation under international law to protect civilians in the occupied Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have written to Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, reiterating Ireland’s unwavering commitment to supporting a just and sustainable peace on the basis of a two-State solution. I look forward to having the chance to speak with Minister Cohen on a range of issues in due course, including in relation to our concerns on demolitions and the seizure of Palestinian property. I have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have repeatedly expressed my deep concern about the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on nuclear safety and security at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine. I have discussed the issue with the IAEA Director General Grossi at the January Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The military coup has resulted in over 3,000 deaths. 16,000 people remain in arbitrary detention. The prospect of elections being held this year is also concerning. It is inconceivable that fair, free and legitimate elections could be held, particularly in the context of the ongoing detention of political figures and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 113 together. 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 again at the Foreign Affairs Council last month, Ireland fully supports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 122 together. Ireland has been supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people both bilaterally and through the EU budget since Russia’s full-scale invasion was launched on 24 February 2022. Ireland’s support has been directed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the invasion, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government, public...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 554 and 556 together. The announcement on 27 February by European Commission President von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Sunak that the EU and UK reached political agreement on a new way forward on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is very welcome. This new agreement, the ‘Windsor Framework’, is the result of genuine...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (21 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is deeply concerned by mounting evidence that Russia is forcibly transferring Ukrainian children, either to parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia, or to Russia itself. Concerns in relation to Russia’s actions in this regard have been raised by credible bodies, including the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human...