Latest news with #MICHEÁLMARTIN
The Journal
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Let's call a spade a spade': Israeli government 'committing genocide in Gaza', Taoiseach says
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has told the Dáil that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza, in his strongest condemnation of Israel's actions to date. He made the comments during Leaders' Questions today in response to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who asked if the Government will take action to stop the Irish Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds in the EU. The Government is not supporting a bill put forward by Sinn Féin on the matter. Defending that decision, the Taoiseach said: 'The focus must be relentlessly on the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli Government, which is made up of extreme far-right elements, who are committing genocide in Gaza right now. Let us call a spade a spade.' Later during the session, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O'Callaghan pointed to the fact that the Taoiseach has 'recognised that what is happening in Gaza is genocide' and said Ireland has a legal obligation under the genocide convention to do 'everything we can' to stop genocide. The Taoiseach's comments today come as Israeli strikes on Gaza continue. Advertisement Yesterday, the health ministry in Gaza said that at least 3,822 people had been killed in the territory since Israel broke a ceasefire on 18 March. Asked again by reporters this afternoon about the Government's opposition to Sinn Féin's bill on the Israeli bonds, the Taoiseach said the war in Gaza is a 'genocide at this stage'. 'Particularly in terms of the attack on entire families. And we witnessed that recently with a family of nine children being massacred. It's a slaughter that must stop,' he said. The Taoiseach has previously said, in November last year, that Israel's actions in Gaza are 'genocidal' and more recently said that Israel is committing war crimes. He made the war crimes comment earlier this month in relation to Israel's siege of the Gaza strip. 'Israel's continuing humanitarian blockade is pushing Gaza closer to a hunger crisis,' Martin said at the time. 'This must be lifted immediately. It is simply wrong in principle and in law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population, whatever the circumstances. This behaviour clearly constitutes a war crime.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Taoiseach and six other leaders call for no further Israeli military operations in Gaza
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has called for Israel to refrain from any further military operations in Gaza in a joint statement alongside the political leaders of Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Luxembourg, Iceland and Norway. Martin, in the joint statement, said that Ireland 'will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place in Gaza before our eyes'. It comes as nearly 100 people, including children, were killed in widespread Israeli ground, air and sea attacks launched early today in northern Gaza, according to local civil defence. Martin noted that more than 50,000 people have died in the territory since the outbreak of the current war, and that 'many more could starve to death' in the coming days and weeks unless 'immediate' action is taken. Martin called on Israel to 'reverse its current policy', and to 'fully lift the blockade' on humanitarian aid. 'United Nations and humanitarian organisations, including UNRWA, must be supported and granted safe and unimpeded access,' the statement said. Advertisement The leaders also condemned the 'further escalation' in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and an increase in 'settler violence', as well as the expanision of 'illegal settlements and intensifed Israeli operations'. 'Forced displacement or the expulsion of the Palestinian people, by any means, is unacceptable and would constitute a breach of international law. We reject any such attempts at demographic change' Martin said alongside the other leaders. The leaders called on the parties to engage with 'renewed urgency and good faith' in order to negotiate a ceasefire, and the release of 'all hostages'. They acknowledged the important role being played by the United States, Egypt and Qatar in talks. The statement continued:'This is the basis upon which we can build a sustainable, just and comprehensive peace, based on the implementation of the two-State solution. 'We will continue to support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and work in the framework of the United Nations and with other actors, like the Arab League and Arab and Islamic States, to move forward to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution.' The statement concluded by saying 'we must assume the responsibility to stop this devastation'. Robert Abela, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Robert Golob, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Pedro Sánches, the President of the Government of Spain, Luc Frieden, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway made the statement jointly alongside the Taoiseach. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Taoiseach attends meeting of European leaders to discuss Ukraine and economic security
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is among European leaders meeting today for a summit in Albania. The meeting of the European Political Community is taking place at the same time as delegations from Ukraine and Russia are due to meet for long-awaited talks in Turkey. At the top of the agenda for the discussions among European leaders is 'Europe's security and democratic resilience, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine'. Leaders are also due to discuss competitiveness and economic security, and mobility challenges and youth empowerment. The EPC, which brings together the members of the European Union and 20 other countries, was established in 2022 on the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Ahead of the summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russian President Vladimir Putin 'must pay the price for avoiding peace'. 'Putin's tactics to dither and delay, while continuing to kill and cause bloodshed across Ukraine, (are) intolerable,' Starmer said. Martin, Macron and Starmer will be joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Nato chief Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Russian and Ukrainian delegations are also due to meet in Istanbul for talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine. The EU and UK have both approved fresh sanctions on Russia's 'shadow' oil fleet over the past few days. Contains additional reporting from AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
No timeline in place for when audit into child hip dysplasia surgeries will be completed
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has confirmed that an audit into children who may have received unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals over a three-year period has not yet been completed. During Leaders' Questions, he also told the Dáil that there is no timeline in place on when the report will be fully completed and provided Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. It comes after opposition parties called on the Minister to clarify when the audit will be published, amid concerns that thousands of children could be impacted. The audit is looking at a random, anonymised sample of hip dysplasia surgeries on children aged one to seven at Crumlin, Temple Street and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh between 2021 and 2023. It's understood that the audit involves 561 children. There are now concerns that thousands of children may have been impacted, after Carroll MacNeill confirmed that letters had been issued to parents whose children received hip dysplasia operations at CHI hospitals since 2010. Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said there is 'a lot of anxiety and concern' about this issue. 'A lot of parents would be worried, because for a child to go through an operation or surgery is very traumatic for a child and very traumatic for the parents. Anything we do in here must be done with that in mind.' Martin said the audit process is now at 'a very advanced stage'. 'It's understood that the audit author has received final feedback and fact checking from the clinicians to whom the draft report set was circulated. We all know that is standard procedure and respect of audits of this kind.' Martin continued: 'We don't have a final timeline from the HSE or CHI on when the report will be fully complete and provided to the Minister.' 'Ducking, diving and dodging' He also said that CHI and Cappagh had issued letters in recent weeks to families and patients who have had hip dysplasia procedures since 2010 to provide reassurance and information about the audit and to ensure all potential cases are included. 'Those letters went out after media reporting of a draft audit report, and it was found necessary after that to communicate to parents as a result of a draft report. The Minister can't comment on that because the Minister hasn't received a report.' Advertisement Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the government has given 'neither information nor reassurance to parents' and accused them of 'ducking, diving and dodging'. She asked Martin to clarify how many letters have been issued to parents and how many children will be recalled. Martin said McDonald was being 'somewhat disingenuous here', adding that nobody was 'stonewalling'. 'The obvious thing to do is to wait for the audit report to be published and given to the Minister. That's logical. Otherwise, all you're asking for is drip drip, bits of information here and there, which only adds to the anxiety and concern of parents.' Martin said that 'the implications are disturbing' and he appreciates that the absence of information 'can compound anxiety for parents'. 'That is why it's important that we get the complete audit and that we are in a position to share it with the parents, with the families, and indeed, with the Oireachtas also and the public at large,' he said. He said an action plan would then be implemented and published 'to deal with that' and 'to work with parents and with patients.' When asked by Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice why there was no deadline for the publication of the audit, Martin said he would not 'play politics', adding that the 'deliberate politicisation' of the issue is 'reprehensible'. Speaking to reporters outside Leinster House this morning, Rice, who is the chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, had urged the Minister to clarify when the audit would be published. Rice said parents and the Dáil have been 'left in the dark' over the issue, adding that there is 'a lot of worry'. 'We need to know when the report is going to be published. The Minister needs to come forward and set a date for that, provide some clarity and certainty for parents and families and those affected. That needs to happen straight away,' he said. Aontú's Peadar Tóibín said thousands of parents across the country 'may potentially be caught up in this particular scandal'. 'Really, the Minister should be sitting down with all the parents who possibly could be caught up in this particular crisis, and ensuring that they know what's happening in the process. That's not happening at the moment,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Martin pushes back on judicial reviews, says 'courts shouldn't be where planning gets determined'
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has signalled his support for comments made by the chair of Uisce Éireann in relation to judicial reviews delaying important developments. The Fianna Fáil leader said today that he does not believe the courts are where planning applications should be determined. The Taoiseach was asked about poor water infrastructure being an impediment to developing new housing after the chair of the Board of Uisce Éireann, Jerry Grant, said recently that judicial reviews have slowed the delivery of important projects. Grant made the comments in response to criticism from Tánaiste Simon Harris, who linked the delays in the delivery of housing to problems with water infrastructure. Advertisement Grant defended his organisation and said that Uisce Éireann 'has never seen more judicial reviews', which are causing delays to housing projects. He said this was making the delivery of new homes 'very challenging'. 'Every one of these is causing significant delay to projects and adding cost and deferring the opportunity to build houses,' he told The Journal. Asked about the impact of judicial delays today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Planning Act, which has not yet taken effect, will deal with this issue. 'My own view on it is that once we go through planning processes, once you go through the local authorities, once you go through An Bord Pleanála, the pre-planning before all of that, the courts should not be ultimately the place where planning applications get determined,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
