Results 43,281-43,300 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: This is going to be a Second Stage speech.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Participants at the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009, expressed strong support for the development of new structured opportunities abroad for Irish graduates. The Farmleigh Fellowship programme was one such initiative to emerge from the Forum. It was developed by a number of participants based in Singapore and launched in May of this year. The new programme...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). Under Vote 28, I expect there will be an overspend of approximately €15.2 million on Subhead I (Contributions to International Organisations) in 2010. This will be partly offset by savings of €1.8 million on the Administrative Budget and €1 million in Subhead C (Support for...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The 'Gateway Ireland' website project was one of the specific initiatives to emerge from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. The proposal was made by Mr John McColgan at the Forum and has subsequently been taken forward by a private sector group led by him. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and multi-layered online facility, through which the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The importance of Irish culture in promoting Ireland, including Irish business, abroad was a prominent theme at the Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh House in September, 2009. During the course of the Forum, Mr Dermot Desmond proposed that a 'world class' centre or University for the performing arts and Irish culture be established in a landmark building in Ireland. The goal...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The creation of the new Global Irish Network was one of the key recommendations arising from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. I was delighted to formally announce the establishment of the Network in February this year at the Irish Embassy in London. Since then, regional meetings have also been held in France, Germany, China, Australia and, most recently,...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (23 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 226 together. Citizens over the age of 65 are currently entitled to a passport free of charge. Introducing an arrangement whereby adults of any age would be eligible to apply for a passport for a period of less than 10 years would increase the total demand for passports and thereby require the recruitment of additional staff, something which cannot be...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the incident to which the Deputy refers is the subject of legal proceedings in another jurisdiction, I will not comment on any elements which are sub judice, but will limit my reply to the role of my Department in providing consular assistance to the person concerned. In regard to this case, the relevant Irish Embassy dealt with an Irish citizen who requested consular assistance on...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 9 November my Department was contacted by a family member of the person referred to by the Deputy, who alleged that the person concerned had been attacked by prison officers in Barlinnie Remand Prison in Glasgow. On my instruction, our Consulate-General in Edinburgh was in immediate and direct contact with the relevant Scottish authorities at the prison to raise concerns about his...

Written Answers — Passport Service: Passport Service (23 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. An annual revenue/cost statement for Passport Service for the period 2006-2009 is set out below. Figures for 2010 will not be available until the Department's Appropriation Account has been signed after the end of the financial year. The statement shows that whereas the number of passports issued fell by 6.75% over the period, passport...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). Within Vote 28 there are two main programmes that provide funding to organisations: the Emigrant Support Programme and Reconciliation and Anti Sectarianism Funds. While some of organisations funded under these programmes have been granted charitable status...

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities rests with the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. As regards the Irish United Nations Association (IUNA), following a review of Departmental expenditure in 2009, and taking into account also the recommendations of the McCarthy Report that in the current very difficult...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 23 and 26 together. The political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka remains a serious cause of concern. The response of the Sri Lankan Government falls short of addressing the outstanding issues or the legitimate calls from the international community and respected human rights organisations for action. The Sri Lankan Government needs to initiate a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: There has been no recent discussion of the Basque situation at EU level. As I indicated in my reply to a question of 12 October, I have regular contact with the Spanish Foreign Minister, including at Foreign Affairs Council meetings in Brussels. Our bilateral discussions cover the range of issues relevant to our valued bilateral and historic relationship with Spain, including in the EU...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Shawan Jabarin is the Director of Al-Haq, an important and respected Palestinian human rights organisation which is supported by Irish Aid. Through our Mission in Ramallah my Department has regular contacts with Al Haq and with Mr. Jabarin personally. He has been consistently refused permission to leave Palestine since June 2006, when he returned from a fellowship at the Irish Centre for...

Written Answers — Iraqi Tribunal Death Sentences: Iraqi Tribunal Death Sentences (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 26 October, the Iraqi High Tribunal sentenced to death five representatives of the former regime, of which Iraq's former deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz is perhaps the best known. I have consistently and clearly set out the Government's firm opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. Ireland was supportive of a prompt expression by the EU of its opposition to these...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid Convoys: Humanitarian Aid Convoys (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the incident to which the Deputy refers is now the subject of legal proceedings in another jurisdiction, I will not comment on any elements which are sub judice, but will limit my reply to the response of my Department in providing consular assistance to the Irish citizens concerned. My Department has been in contact with the London-based organisers of the Road to Hope convoy since early...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of reports that there have been abuses perpetuated by British soldiers in prison facilities in Iraq. I welcome the fact that these serious allegations have been brought to UK courts of law for detailed consideration as to whether further actions such as judicial review or prosecution of alleged perpetrators are merited. Of particular importance is a case being brought by lawyers...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently two Irish Embassies in South America – in Argentina and Brazil. The Embassy in Buenos Aires is accredited to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay on a non-resident basis. The Irish Embassy in Mexico is also accredited to a number of other countries in South and Central America, namely Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and Venezuela. The diplomatic network is supported by...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: At its meeting on 28 and 29 October, the European Council asked President Van Rompuy to undertake consultations with Member States including on the question of creating a permanent crisis resolution mechanism and the possibility of limited Treaty change required to that effect. I understand that bilateral consultations will begin later this month between President Van Rompuy's office and...