Results 43,481-43,500 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to the answers I gave on 27 April and 6 July to his questions on the matter. Dr Kian Tajbakhsh is a dual US-Iranian national, arrested in July 2009. Dr. Tajbakhsh's case was heard by an appeals court on 10 February and his sentence was set at five years for a variety of charges linked to the post-election disturbances in Iran. These charges have been strenuously denied by...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The north-south peace process in Sudan is at a critical juncture as the country prepares for a referendum on self-determination for the South and a separate referendum on the status of the district of Abyei in January 2011. The referenda are envisaged by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Mozambique is an important partner for both Ireland and the European Union in Africa, and a priority country within Ireland's official development cooperation programme. Notwithstanding considerable economic and social progress since the conclusion of its civil war in 1992, Mozambique remains one of the poorest countries in the world, dependent on external resources. Ireland, together with...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The issue of enlargement features regularly on the agenda of the General Affairs Council which I attend and in my bilateral discussions with EU Ministerial colleagues. The December 2009 Council adopted detailed conclusions, subsequently endorsed by the European Council, regarding enlargement generally and in relation to the position of various aspirant member states. It underlined that...

International Agreements (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: In regard to current reforms to peacekeeping and peace building, our permanent representative to the UN, Anne Anderson, has been asked by the Secretary General to lead work in these areas. This reflects the high respect in which we are held by the United Nations. We take leadership positions on a number of issues, the most recent of which was our significant diplomatic achievement on the...

International Agreements (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should probably do a bit of homework and acquaint himself with what has happened in the intervening in period and with the progress that has been made.

International Agreements (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I mean that sincerely. Much work has been undertaken. We will continue with the leadership role we have adopted in regard to many of the aspects of the work of the United Nations. We will continue to push for reform where it is needed within the United Nations, as we do in respect of all the bilateral meetings we have held.

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The direct talks which began in Washington on 2 September continued in two further sessions, in Egypt and Jerusalem, on 14 September and 15 September. The talks involved Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, with very restricted teams on both sides. The United States, usually through Senator Mitchell personally, is present at all sessions as a broker, but not a direct participant....

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The fundamental lesson to be drawn from the Northern Ireland peace process is that hurdles were jumped where there was a will on all sides to reach agreement. As I stated in my earlier reply, there is still a significant lack of trust in terms of one side trusting that the other will go the full road towards a solution.

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: There was a far greater degree of trust in the Northern Ireland peace process than might have been known about at the time, certainly behind the scenes. Achieving an agreement is very difficult and there are many challenges and hurdles. That said, the feedback we are receiving suggests both leaders are putting on the table their genuine personal desire to see an outcome. President Abbas has...

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I made a point on the Arab league in the context of supporting President Abbas, not on the wider issues. The Deputy is making the point that the settlements on the ground keep creating new facts on the ground that undermine the principle of having two states. That is the problem and where the issue becomes very difficult. On the Palestinian side, people are saying that, in spite of all the...

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I stated, I regard the oath of loyalty required of Arabs living in Israel, including Jerusalem, as counter-productive and wrong. It is not helpful in any shape or form.

Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The question of whether and how military assets and capabilities can best be used in responding to humanitarian emergencies was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in June in the context of the Union's response to the Haiti earthquake. EU action in response to humanitarian crises is framed in the context of an overall international approach that brings together the United Nations, the...

Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that I quoted the Brigadier General's comments at the last meeting of the Joint Committee of European Affairs. I agree with Deputy Barrett. I also agreed with a number of members at the European Foreign Affairs Council that the battle group should be utilised to assist in disasters such as occurred in Haiti. This would be a good demonstration of the importance and...

Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: My response to the Deputy's first question is, yes the name has been a disaster. On the second question, to use the Afghanistan context is not fair in the context of the question being asked because I can foresee situations where the presence of the military can be advantageous to humanitarian assistance. Indeed, it can be indispensable to the provision of humanitarian aid.

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Despite the many difficulties remaining, the direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders that commenced on 2 September present a historic opportunity to at last achieve a just and lasting peace. Compounding the complexity of the issues has been a deep lack of trust between the two sides, with each believing the other is not serious about negotiations. Ireland and the European Union...

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have no difficulty with much of what the Deputy has said in terms of the events that have happened which, when taken together, undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement. I share Deputy Higgins's objections to the proposed oath of loyalty which is provocative and counter-productive to the peace process itself. It is wrong. What is clear is that there are forces within Israeli...

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to the West Bank two years to meet with the Palestinian team which was in preparation for the Annapolis process.

Middle East Peace Process (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yes, they had a great deal of issues worked out. However, I got the sense that all of it was at one remove from the political process that was under way. In essence, these people had not been called upon in terms of the detailed work which has to go into resolving issues. The Deputy seems to be suggesting a mechanism to pull all of the work that has been done together and which has...

Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia was signed in April 2008. However, it was decided to defer ratification of the agreement until the Council was satisfied with Serbia's co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Following a positive assessment by Chief Prosecutor Brammertz regarding Serbia's...