Results 10,541-10,560 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The European Union is active in pursuing the preservation of peace and stability, the reinforcement of international security and the promotion of international cooperation, democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world. The Treaty on European Union commits the EU and all of its Member States to contribute to peace, security,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 365 together. I attended a working lunch with President Macron in Paris on Thursday, 24 November 2022. The meeting was an opportunity to mark the intensification of our bilateral relations in recent years, and to exchange views on current EU and international issues ahead of the December European Council. Bilateral relations with France have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As we have done throughout the Brexit process, the Government remains fully engaged with our key interlocutors and stakeholders in the EU, the UK, Northern Ireland and the US I had a meeting with Prime Minister Sunak at the British-Irish Council in November and spoke with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in December. I also met Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The EU has consistently condemned the further invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which is an unjustified and illegal act of aggression contrary to international law, including the principles of the UN Charter and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In January of this year, the European Commission disbursed a first instalment of €3 billion, of the up to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have not met the Russian Ambassador to Ireland since taking up the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs. However, officials in my Department have met with the Ambassador on a number of occasions – most recently in December 2022 and January 2023 - to make clear our utter condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to discuss a range of operational issues, in line with our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. Ireland also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Thanks to significant investment by the Government and the dedicated work of the Passport Service staff, substantial improvements have been made during 2022 and all passports are being issued within the advertised turnaround times. There are currently just over 114,000 applications in the Passport Service processing system. Of these, 52,000 are fully complete applications. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Missing Persons (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that the circumstances of this case have been very difficult for the family.  The Department of Foreign Affairs has had significant engagement on this case in the years since the citizen's disappearance, including with the Spanish authorities.  As with all missing person cases, the responsibility for investigation lies with the relevant policing authority. The Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The continued absence of an Executive and the failure of the Northern Ireland Assembly to nominate a Speaker is of upmost concern to the Government. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to be represented by the people who they elected in May 2022. The continued refusal of one party to participate in the nomination of a Speaker and an Executive is a denial of the mandates that was given...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I maintain regular contact with stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including political parties, civic society, and the business community. I spoke with party leaders earlier this month and reiterated the importance that the Government places on the restoration of all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. The formal means for the Government to develop North South cooperation is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been a longstanding champion of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda at the UN. It was a key priority for Ireland's membership of the Security Council and continues to be. Ireland co-chaired the Informal Expert Group – a working group of the Security Council – on WPS, which ensures close engagement with the senior leadership of UN missions in monitoring actions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries, as indeed EU membership has been for Ireland over the last 50 years. Unfortunately, Russia’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The promotion and protection of human rights is a foreign policy priority for Ireland. As well as bilaterally through our mission network, Ireland contributes strongly to United Nations and European Union efforts to prevent, monitor and eliminate human rights violations and abuses. Human rights violations are a root cause of conflict and insecurity, while a commitment to, and respect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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. The EU has also imposed the most extensive package of sanctions in its history, in response to Russia's aggression, and in coordination with other like-minded...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan is completely unacceptable. Over the last year and a half, since the fall of Kabul, women have been ordered by the Taliban to stop using certain public amenities, are severely restricted in terms of their freedom of movement and have been banned from most areas of the workforce. The December 2022 edicts by the Taliban, prohibiting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world.  This network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Respect for the rule of law is a cornerstone of liberal democracy and, as such, integral to Ireland’s foreign policy. As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am committed to its promotion at home, throughout Europe and beyond. The European Union is inherently a community of values. Collectively these values underpin the EU’s strength, integrity and coherence,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland strongly advocates for democracy, democratic values, the rule of law, civil society space, and respect for human rights as key foreign policy priorities, across our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, including at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN Security Council. Ireland calls on all States to adhere to their international commitments and obligations, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act, 2008, sets out the legislative basis for processing and issuing Irish passports.  To comply with the legislative requirements, meet increased demand and effectively serve Irish citizens globally, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to promote a digital first agenda for the Passport Service. To date, this has seen the Passport Service deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (31 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The recruitment of child soldiers remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world. During Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, we consistently engaged on Children And Armed Conflict (CAAC), including as an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on CAAC and through a number of resolutions. Ireland participated...