Results 43,261-43,280 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: However, I am a bit more pessimistic as a result of what I witnessed yesterday in terms of protestations. I get the sense from the Labour Party that its basic political objective is to win as many votes as it can at all costs and to take the consequences after the election in terms of the implementation of policy and the harsh realities.

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge the Fine Gael four year plan has some credibility, but I feel that the Fine Gael leader probably did not mean what he said this morning when he said there would be no income tax increases under the Fine Gael Party in 2011. That is not credible and it undermines the centre piece of the plan Fine Gael published last week. The nit-picking that is going on suggests to people that...

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are committed to reform. I am committed to a regime which will change dramatically the whole practice of large corporate donations to politics. All the analysts say we need to change our politics. Let us not lose the opportunity afforded by this watershed period in our history in terms of economics to do the thing properly.

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: My concern is that the type of exchange Deputy Durkan requires does not fill me with confidence that change will happen

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, Deputy Durkan's opportunity has been coming for a long time. I will now hand over to my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Finneran.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I stated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions regarding the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, most recently on 6 July last, promoting religious tolerance is a key objective of Ireland and the EU in relations with Pakistan. Bilaterally, and through the EU, we have urged the government of Pakistan to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the names, titles and annual salaries of the staff appointed by me. Name Title Salary Scale Christy Mannion Special Advisor Principal Officer Standard Scale €80,051- €98,424 plus a 10% attraction allowance Tim Conlon Special Advisor Principal Officer Standard Scale€80,051- €98,424 Elizabeth O'Donoghue Personal Assistant Secretarial Assistant Scale...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: Since my previous reply to the Deputy, PQ 131 of 23rd September, 2009, the status of the case of the missing Irish girl in Spain has not changed. Our Embassy in Madrid remains in contact with the Guardia Civil in relation to the case and is ready to assist her family in whatever way possible. I am informed that, unfortunately, there are no new definitive leads as to her whereabouts. However,...

Written Answers — Misuse of Passports: Misuse of Passports (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: Earlier this year I became aware of allegations that persons accused of carrying out long-term, "deep cover" assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation may have used fraudulent Irish passports. On being made aware of these allegations I asked the Passport Service and An Garda Síochána to undertake an investigation. I understand that the Gardaí have since...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are three bodies operating under the aegis of my Department to which I have appointed members in the past twelve months. These are: the Ireland - United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission); the Development Education Advisory Committee and the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group. The details requested are outlined in the table below. None of the members have...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to ensure that all domestic workers at Embassies are treated fairly and works with Embassies and relevant Departments to encourage best practice in this area, consistent with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. In the course of this year we have introduced additional requirements for diplomats wishing to employ domestic servants from abroad...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs; and The Board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission). The Fulbright Commission is financed jointly by the Irish and US Governments but it enjoys autonomy of management and administration in...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently no industrial disputes or industrial actions of any kind involving the staff of my Department.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (2 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that that person is an Irish citizen. Documentary proof in respect of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required for all passport applications. The Passport Service has no record of a passport application from the person in question and does not have...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Government Departments do not directly pay for the legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office or for advice from Counsel briefed by them. My Department has a Legal Division, staffed by qualified legal professionals who provide legal advice on a wide range of international legal issues. Having such...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As you are aware, the Passports Act, 2008 provides that the Minister can only issue passports to persons who are Irish citizens. This provision in Irish law means that no passport can be issued to the person in question unless he obtains Irish citizenship. From the information provided by you, it is clear that no application for citizenship has been made by this man with the Department of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned about the case of Mrs. Aasia Bibi. On 9 November, Mrs. Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in a Punjab court for blasphemy. I understand that this is the first time a woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under its blasphemy law. When reports of the case came to the attention of my Department, a senior official contacted the Embassy of Pakistan to express...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The cost of energy usage by my Department in the State in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 was as follows: 2008 â'¬594,850 2009 â'¬676,023 2010 â'¬600,656 In addition to building-related energy usage, these costs also include Topaz charge card payments in respect of the purchase of fuel for official delivery vehicles, in accordance with a multi-departmental arrangement put...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On the 6th of June my Department became aware of the death of the person mentioned by him in Morocco and consular assistance was provided to his family through our Embassy in Lisbon, our Honorary Consul in Casablanca and the Consular Assistance Section. At the time of his death our Embassy and the Honorary Consul made every effort to facilitate the work of the respective undertakers, whom...

Written Answers — Product Labelling: Product Labelling (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together. Goods from settlements in the West Bank are not entitled to avail of the reduced tariff which applies to Israeli goods entering the EU. I have stated in response to previous questions on this topic that I believe it would be helpful to consumers to be able to distinguish between goods from Israel, goods produced by the Palestinian...