Results 1,581-1,600 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----around the denial of humanitarian access into Gaza, it will be a very effective day's work by Ireland.

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am willing, with our legal team, to share with the Deputy-----

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I want to build consensus here and a proper approach to this issue.

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The clear message from my extensive engagement with international partners, who have expressly welcomed the approach of the Government, is that we sustain it. These efforts are continuing as we speak. As this House is aware, steps are being taken by the Israeli Parliament against UNRWA. These could bring about the collapse of the entire humanitarian response in Gaza, which rests on...

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is not that it is so-called "unconstitutional"; it is unconstitutional. No one is arguing with that and those measures have to be amended. I emphasise in particular that the ICJ advisory opinion did not somehow drop from the sky. Again, some in the Opposition have ignored this. The Government strongly supported the request by the General Assembly for this advisory opinion in December...

Genocide in Gaza: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to address the situation in Gaza, which remains an issue of profound concern and horror for the Government, this House and the people of Ireland. It is now over 12 months since this House adopted a motion in the aftermath of the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel on 7 October 2023. At that time, we unreservedly condemned these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: At the beginning of the new EU institutional cycle, Ireland is keen to play its part in shaping the European policy agenda. This has included conducting an initial, cross-departmental analysis on the recent reports by Enrico Letta “Much More than a Market” and Mario Draghi “The Future of European Competitiveness”. This work commenced immediately following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The continuation of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon is unacceptable. Reports of dozens of deaths in the past week alone are a brutal reminder of the ongoing death and destruction that the people of Gaza are enduring. I am especially concerned about reports of further attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, which are particularly egregious with devastating...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland supports the important role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. Both I and my officials will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice delivered its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusions were that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that Israel is under an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The urgent need to address the conflict in the Middle East remains a priority for Ireland. This includes ongoing support for efforts to achieve a ceasefire and hostage release deal and ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza, as well as our efforts to advance the two-state solution. I have underlined my strong support for EU sanctions targeting violent or extreme...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that as at 30 September 2024, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,477 personnel. The requested information concerning the number of vacancies by rank is provided in the attached table. I have acknowledged in the past the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. To...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 17 together. As I set out in response to a similar question from the Deputy in June, the Government intends to file a Declaration of Intervention in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. At that juncture, I indicated that it was intended to do so after South Africa has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have taken a clear and consistent stand in support of women and girls in Afghanistan. Ireland regularly speaks out at the EU, UN and other international fora against the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities . In our recent national statement to the current session of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: If the Government believed that the European Commission had not fulfilled its obligations in regard to a matter under its remit, in the first instance Ireland would raise the issue at an appropriate level with the relevant Commission services. Under Article 265 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, where an EU institution, including the European Commission has, in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: In February 2024, the then Taoiseach, together with the Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government’s position on Ireland’s relations with Israel, as well as the situation in Palestine and the wider region, has been set out frequently in this House by both myself and my predecessors. The Government does not comment on the internal reports or commentaries of third countries or other external partners.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland supports the important role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. Both I and my officials will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs does not have any operations in the Louth East Meath constituency. Furthermore, the Office of Public Works is responsible for providing the Department with suitable accommodation within the State.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (6 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together. The Shared Island Initiative, which I established as Taoiseach, is a whole of Government endeavour that aims to deliver practical benefits for the whole island of Ireland by working with all communities for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. While the Shared Island Fund is for the most part administered by the...