Results 401-420 of 1,034,141 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Catherine Byrne OR speaker:Brendan Smith OR speaker:Mary Lou McDonald) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Bodies (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: This is challenging for the court. We have long been supportive of the court. Ireland committed additional voluntary funding to the ICC of €3 million to assist it in its work across all situations, including with regard to Palestine. At the Munich security conference earlier this year I met the ICC prosecutor in respect of the challenges the prosecutor and the team face. Ireland...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Bodies (27 Jun 2024)

Matt Carthy: These are challenging times and the ICC faces a challenging situation. It also must be a challenging time for the European Union. I do not know if the EU has ever had a preferential association arrangement with a state whose civilian and military leadership are the subject of ICC arrest warrants. The question has to be asked of European and, indeed, Irish leaders as to how it came to pass...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Bodies (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: The EU is quite steadfast and strong in supporting the ICC and in respecting its independence. That was again very evident at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday. I make the point that, as the Deputy knows, the application for arrest warrants in respect of Prime Minister Netanyahu and defence minister Gallant has elicited a very negative reaction from Israel and the United States....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (27 Jun 2024)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2024)

Diplomatic Representation

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Crowe: 6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will change the criteria for selecting ambassadors in order that a broader range of people beyond those who have worked with his Department can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27300/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Crowe: I thank the Tánaiste for taking this oral parliamentary question this morning. Will he give consideration to changing the selection criteria for the appointment of ambassadors in order that a broader range of people beyond those who work in the Department of Foreign Affairs could potentially be considered.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. I do not propose to change the criteria for the selection of Irish ambassadors. The legislative framework for diplomatic relations is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between states. The Vienna Convention was ratified by Ireland in 1967...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Crowe: A colleague quipped yesterday evening, "Are you looking for a way out of politics?". No, my plan is to go for the next general election, win a seat and hopefully gain another seat for our party in Clare. Back to the point, I agree there are so many talented people and Ireland has led the way particularly with female appointments. We have excellent ambassadors. Those of us in the Dáil...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the passport service has a system in place whereby applications do not go to the back of the queue, to respond to a previous question, following a request for further documents. When the passport service receives the required additional documentation from the applicant, the application is prioritised for checking and, as a result, does not go to the back of the queue. Online...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Matt Carthy: Has the Tánaiste tried to make an appointment?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is not bad. People have come to us after using that one-day appointment service, in Cork, Dublin and so on, and said it has been effective.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Middle East

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Berry: 4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contingency plans in place for any potential evacuation of Irish citizens from Lebanon should there be an escalation in hostilities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Berry: I am sure the Tánaiste and the Minister of State have been tracking the concerning developments on the Lebanon-Israel border. Will they update the House on what contingency plans are in place, or what planning has been done, for any potential evacuation of Irish citizens from Lebanon in the coming weeks should that scenario materialise?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I am deeply concerned by the rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. It is vital all parties work to de-escalate the situation. We strongly support international efforts to mediate a resolution between Israel and Hezbollah. Since October, I have raised my concerns and the need for urgent de-escalation on several occasions...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Tánaiste. I appreciate the response. It is reassuring to know there is a citizens' register in Lebanon. The Tánaiste may not have these details to hand, but approximately how many Irish citizens are there? Are we talking hundreds or thousands? An interim arrangement is in place in case the Government needs a jet to go to Brussels or wherever, as is completely...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: On citizens, our advice is clear that people should leave Lebanon. There is an ongoing danger of significant escalation. An estimated 100 Irish citizens and dependants remain in Lebanon, many of whom are long-term residents and, as I said, do not plan to leave unless the situation deteriorates significantly. If it does deteriorate significantly, in essence if there is a war between...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Cathal Berry: As the Tánaiste knows, I always recognise progress when I see it. I recall that some months ago he signed a €68 million contract for a new military transport aircraft, which is being built in Spain as we speak. It was initially expected to be delivered to Baldonnel in 12 months, which was positive enough. I assume that is still on schedule. Does the Tánaiste have an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have no updates on the procurement of that aeroplane, which is on schedule as far as I know, given that I have heard nothing to the contrary. Again, because of the nature of Lebanon and of any attack that could take place if a war happened, it seems the air option would be very limited because of the dangers and so on. The best advice, therefore, that we can give to citizens is to leave...