Results 221-240 of 45,942 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Shanahan has an undue paranoia of Cork hurling.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: No I am not. Deputy Shanahan seems obsessed with senior hurling and Cork. We will park that for a moment. Since this Government came into office, there has been a very focused prioritisation and commitment to the south east on a whole range of investments. At different times when I have engaged with the Deputy, he has acknowledged that, particularly with regard to health. Then, every...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: When I mentioned October, it was in reference to the task force that was put together, came together and developed a cross-sectoral plan. That was what I referenced. The Deputy keeps saying nothing is being done-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and just ignores what has been done. He creates the scenario, for a political reason that suits him, that the Government does not value apprenticeships. That is nonsense. Of course the Government values apprenticeships. Come on, cop on with the nonsense. That kind of language is grand for politics and the back and forth, but it does not make any real sense.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: We want to grow craft apprenticeships and construction. We have expanded in that regard. There are now 17 programmes across the broad categories of construction, including electrical engineering, which are relevant to the construction sector. We have actually expanded. That includes the plumbing, electrical, geo drilling and scaffolding programmes and so forth. The numbers who...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have to deal with the backlog.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will make the point, and I have said it repeatedly in the House, that housing is the single most urgent and important social issue facing our people at this moment in time. Access to housing is fundamental to our security, social cohesion, opportunity for people and progress as a nation. There is not a family in the country untouched by the crisis. I respectfully suggest the Deputy does...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, I will say that all of our thoughts are with the families of those who died in the Stardust tragedy in 1981. For over 40 years now, the families have pursued their search for truth and justice. In a couple of hours' time, we will hear the verdict of the Dublin Coroner's Court. This will be an important moment for the families and for the entire country because the Stardust tragedy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs, working closely across Government with key Departments and agencies, continues to closely monitor Ireland’s trade with the UK and to support Irish exporters address the challenges that continue to be raise by the outworkings of Brexit. While the loss of pre-Brexit trading arrangements with the United Kingdom has been challenging, following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Engaging in extensive public diplomacy activities is an important part of the role of Ireland's Ambassador to Israel. This typically involves a wide range of activities, such as engagement with universities, media outreach and social media. The Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly engages with a variety of Israeli organisations to effectively communicate Ireland's perspective. Due to the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: In March, I announced that Ireland will seek to intervene in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. At the time, I stated that our intention is to file a Declaration of Intervention after South Africa has filed its Memorial, and I noted that this would likely take a number of months. On 5 April, the ICJ made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following Government approval on 7 September 2022, Ireland will open a resident Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan later this year. The decision to open a mission in Pakistan is part of the Government’s Global Ireland strategy, which seeks a doubling of Ireland’s global footprint and influence, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. The Embassy will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, together with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. We recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of China. However, this does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 10th April 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. I have engaged directly with my counterpart in the jurisdiction in question on this matter and I subsequently met with the citizen concerned and provided clear advice. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: All foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Permission to land is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (17 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (16 Apr 2024)

Micheál Martin: The legal position is clear – under international humanitarian law Israel must protect civilians in Gaza. Ireland has consistently emphasised the international humanitarian law obligations upon all actors to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. Ireland continues to engage in international initiatives...