Results 361-380 of 46,387 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The World Bank estimates that the reconstruction bill for Ukraine will be $486 billion over the next decade. That will continue to rise each day. We are engaged in discussions on short-term recovery efforts including the provision of prefabricated homes to support communities. We have made financial support available to do that. A recovery conference will be held in Berlin in June. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am extremely concerned by the start of Israel's ground offensive and military operation in Rafah. The international community has been clear that the humanitarian consequences of a large-scale offensive in Rafah would be catastrophic. I urge the parties to make every effort to come to an immediate ceasefire deal. All hostages must be released and further civilian casualties must be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: We are doing so. The manner in which we have approached this issue is to increase the number of appointments at public counters for the one-day or four-day renewal service at the Mount Street office in Dublin and the four-day renewal service in Cork. As I said, every week there are about 221 one-day and 264 four-day renewal appointments available in Dublin and 280 four-day renewal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for her kind comments. As she is aware, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 14 February of this year, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement. The letter further requested that the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Deputy's contribution. She is correct that when the EU signs and supports association agreements, these clauses have to mean something. I refer in particular to Israel's compliance with the essential elements clause of the agreement. The Commission needs to carry out a review. Josep Borrell has initiated a discussion on this, and I understand some work has been done in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, trade relations between the European Union and Israel are governed by a free trade area as part of the EU-Israel association agreement. That agreement was signed as far back as 1995 and entered into force in 2000. It forms a basis for relations between the European Union and Israel, governing the trade relationship as well as including political aspects. The last...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Confirm which?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, in terms of the declaration of intervention, we would be making it under Article 63. States do not join one side or another in filing an intervention in the case. Rather, they submit a statement that sets out their interpretation of one or more provisions of whatever convention is at issue before the court. This declaration of intervention must then be deemed admissible by the court...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I pay tribute to the team and all of the staff working at the passport service. It has issued 450,000 passports to date this year and is on track to have issued half a million passports by the end of this month. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times. The passport service is well-staffed and in an excellent position to deliver...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The first point I would make is there is a balance as well. We have to consistently tell people to remember to get their passports updated, to apply online and in time. We do everything we possibly can to facilitate urgent cases. Most people in the House would acknowledge that, and we will continue to do it. However, we do not want to create a new scenario whereby people think they can...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I think the latter issue will come up in a later question. I will respond on the question as tabled. As Deputies will recall, South Africa initiated its case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice by filing an application with the court on 29 December 2023. South Africa also sought a number of provisional measures pending the outcome of the case....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: We should endeavour to be fair, straight and honest with people. I have never deviated. I have been consistent from the outset about how the ICJ operates. We have been consistent with how we responded to the Ukrainian situation. Sinn Féin's motion talked about Ireland indicating a willingness to file. I made it clear that first South Africa needs to file its memorial, and that takes...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, alongside our EU and international partners, including the United States, has stood firmly in support of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine represents an attack on the international rules-based order, which is the foundation of our collective peace and security. Ukrainians are fighting not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 75, 110 and 117 together. The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority, in fulfilment of the Programme for a Partnership Government. The continuing absence of a substantive response from the British government on these motions is a matter of concern and is an issue I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The incident relates to a camp established, with authorisation, by the Palästina-Protest group on 9 April in front of the Bundestag building in Berlin. The slogan of the camp was "Occupy against Occupation". The police issued instructions that, in accordance with local laws, only German and English were to be spoken at the protest camp. This was to allow the police to understand what was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The relationship between Ireland and Britain is deeply important, and my engagement with British counterparts is rooted in our joint stewardship of the Good Friday Agreement, our strong people-to-people links, and our significant strategic and economic interconnections. I met with Foreign Secretary David Cameron in London in December following his appointment to the role. Our meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed the matter of the UK Government's Statutory Inquiry with the Secretary of State on a number of occasions, most recently at the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference in London on 29 April. The UK Government’s establishment of an Inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing last year was a welcome step. The publication of the Terms of Reference of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 104 together. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the two Governments have a shared duty to realise the vision and commitments of the Agreement that provide the overarching framework for deepening peace, political stability and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. The UK Legacy Act does not, in my view, advance those shared goals. It is...