Results 401-420 of 46,387 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together. In February 2024, the EU reached agreement clarifying the legal status of the extraordinary revenue generated from the immobilised Central Bank of Russia revenues and ensuring that such revenue is held separately from the assets themselves. It is estimated that more than €200 billion of immobilised assets of the Central Bank...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC), has a crucial role to play fighting impunity for international crimes that have been committed in Ukraine. In...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 118 together. As the Deputy is aware, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez 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. Furthermore, the letter requested...

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

Micheál Martin: The EU response to Russia's unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. Collectively, the EU and its Member States have provided approximately €98 billion in financial, humanitarian, emergency, budgetary and military support to Ukraine since February 2022. I continue to engage with my EU counterparts, both...

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

Micheál Martin: Since the start of this crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. We continue to advocate with the authorities in relation to those Irish citizens and dependents who have not yet been permitted to leave. Since the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and...

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

Micheál Martin: I have noted the judgment of the High Court of Northern Ireland in the matter of Re Dillon and Others, delivered on 28 February 2024. I understand that the appeal in this case is due to be heard in the Court of Appeal in the near future. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has lodged an inter-state application against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights in...

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

Micheál Martin: As I have stated on several occasions in this House, the Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward. Ireland’s resolute opposition to illegal Israeli settlements is firmly grounded in international law. To adopt a unilateral...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, on the basis that nine further steps, detailed in the European Commission’s Enlargement Report, are undertaken by the Georgian government. However, I am concerned by ongoing political polarisation in Georgia and particularly by the actions taken by the Georgian government...

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

Micheál Martin: On 17 January 2024 the Government filed an inter-State case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention, including Article 2 (right to life), Article 3...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 125, 126 and 127 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 123 and 124 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service 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 is in an excellent position to deliver the demand forecast for the rest of this year. Ensuring...

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

Micheál Martin: I co-chaired the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference alongside the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris in London on 29 April. Although issues relating to immigration were not items on the formal agenda of this meeting, I had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Secretary of State. We also discussed the issue in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: After many years of significant difficulty, I am glad to report that the UK is now more fully meeting its commitments to the European Union. In particular, the UK is actively implementing the terms of the Windsor Framework agreement last year, which has helped underpin political and economic stability in Northern Ireland. While there are a number of areas where the EU would like to see a...

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

Micheál Martin: I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners, including the US, since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability, peace and prosperity in candidate countries. I am pleased to report that there continues to be positive momentum on EU enlargement. On 08 November 2023, the European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As indicated in the Commission’s ‘2023 Rule of Law Report, the rule of law situation in the European Union’, under the rule of law, all public powers always act within the constraints set out by law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the control of independent and impartial courts. The rule of law includes principles such as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Lying at the heart of Europe, and surrounded by EU Member States, continued peace and security in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States, including Ireland. Given the wider geo-political situation, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, we can ill-afford any insecurity in the Western Balkans. I am extremely proud of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (9 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Addressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key priority for the Government. Ireland continues to raise immigration issues at every appropriate engagement with the United States Government and Congress. The Government actively supports the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world. Ireland's 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...