Results 421-440 of 1,036,483 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Paul Murphy OR speaker:Martin Heydon OR speaker:Alan Kelly)

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...

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

International Bodies

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

Matt Carthy: 5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions Ireland will take in the event that the International Criminal Court, ICC, issues arrest warrants for Israeli ministers or officials. [27474/24]

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

Matt Carthy: It is phenomenal, but the chief prosecutor of the ICC has indicated that he is seeking arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and the defence minister of a state, namely Israel, with which we have preferential trading, economic and diplomatic relationships. What actions will Ireland take in the event that the court issues those arrest warrants for the aforementioned ministers?

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

Micheál Martin: As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the ICC has a crucial role to play globally in fighting impunity for atrocity crimes. The court provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of these crimes. In this way, it promotes and upholds the international rule of law and contributes to the cause of international peace and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Gino Kenny: I want to see all hostages released. We all want to see peace and a settlement in the Middle East. The Minister may not agree with this, but those resisting Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank have a right to engage with the Israeli Defense Forces. They have a right because they are being occupied, murdered and slaughtered. It is an incredible statistic, but since 7 October $23...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have repeatedly condemned the bombardment of Gaza. We in Ireland have taken a number of steps to move towards a political pathway and a ceasefire. We have worked with the Arab partners like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Qatar and others to try to develop a peace process and a proper peace initiative. They have published that. We have engaged with them and also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Catherine Connolly: We are way over time.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jun 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has been steadfast in supporting the courts and upholding their jurisdiction.

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

Passport Services

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

Matt Carthy: 3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications on hand for more than three, six, nine and 12 months, respectively; and the measures the Passport Office is enacting to ensure the speedy processing of all applications during peak summer months. [27473/24]

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

Matt Carthy: I acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Passport Office staff, particularly at this time of the year. Will the Minister tell me the number of passport applications on hand for various lengths of time? What measures are his Department and the Passport Office enacting to ensure there is a speedy processing of all applications during these peak summer months?

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the performance of the Passport Office and the passport service. The passport service has issued more than 625,000 passports this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There currently...

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

Matt Carthy: I have put on the record of this House on a number of occasions that when the passport service works, it works incredibly well. We have all heard people describe their surprise with the speed at which a renewed passport in particular arrives through their letterbox. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that there are incidences where there are problems. The particular issue about which...

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

Micheál Martin: We keep the whole service under constant review. The passport service is in third place in the Henley global passport index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries. We are up there as one of the best passport services in the world. We ran a multimedia campaign again this year reminding citizens to apply for their passports on time and online. The successful...

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

Matt Carthy: Everybody values the Irish passport. It is one of many people's most prized possessions, particularly those who have had to leave our country and move elsewhere. It is a source of pride to display the passport with the harp anywhere in the world and see the value that is attached to it by others. It is also an entitlement of every Irish citizen to have a passport, and there is a...