Results 43,561-43,580 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Iceland applied for membership of the EU in July 2009. On 24 February, the Commission delivered a largely positive opinion (avis) on Iceland's readiness to begin accession negotiations and recommended that a date should be set for commencement of talks. In light of the Commission opinion the application was considered by Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs Council on 14 June and by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have received a number of appeals in relation to the situation of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, most recently in connection with the murder of over 90 members of that community in Lahore as they worshipped in two mosques in the city on 28 May. I have condemned these murders on a number of occasions in this House, just as I now condemn the murders of innocent civilians in the attack...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government has provided assistance to Timor-Leste through Irish Aid since 2000. In March 2003, Timor -Leste was designated a programme country, with a commitment to long term strategic assistance. The Conflict Resolution Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs has been working with Timor-Leste since 2008, assisted by Ireland's Special Envoy, Nuala O'Loan. In 2009, Ireland provided a...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government remains in close and regular contact with the British Government about the range of ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles. On 13 May, I visited Ballymurphy where the relatives of the eleven innocent people killed there between the 9 and 11 August 1971 took to the locations in the area at which their loved ones were killed. My visit was at the invitation of the...

Written Answers — Guantanamo Detainees: Guantanamo Detainees (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: At an early stage, a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, agreed to accept former Guantanamo detainees cleared for release. To date, twenty-four former detainees have been received by EU Member States. I understand that in the case of certain Member States, the consideration of whether or not to accept detainees is ongoing. Two former detainees have been received for resettlement...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I visited Uganda from 27-30 June. The key objectives of my trip were to visit Irish Aid funded development projects and programmes, and to strengthen Irish-Ugandan bilateral and trade relations. Uganda is one of nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 157 out of 182 countries on the UN's Human Development Index....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 65, 81 and 83 together. Ireland continues to support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, as well as the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the territory based on the principle of self-determination. UN Secretary General Ban's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The practice of female genital mutilation is a clear violation of the human rights of women and girls. It has serious social, health and psychological consequences, and it infringes on children's rights to special protection. The World Health Organisation estimates that between 100 million and 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 70 and 74 together. The outbreak of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan earlier this month left hundreds dead and thousands injured. I join with those who have condemned this violence. I also offer my condolences to the families of those killed and my sympathy to those who were injured or displaced. The violence in Kyrgyzstan resulted in a serious...

Written Answers — Gas Prices: Gas Prices (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 58 together. The recent gas dispute between Belarus and Russia appears to be moving towards a resolution and I understand that supplies into Belarus have resumed. Although the dispute did not have any impact on Ireland, we kept the situation under close review through our participation in the EU's Gas Coordination Group. This expert group, which...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government's 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid included a commitment to the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development, to be chaired at Ministerial level. The Committee, which is currently chaired by Minister of State Power, was launched in April 2007 with the objective of strengthening coherence in the Government's approach to development and making best use of the...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty to support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The functions of the EEAS will focus on the High Representative's mandate to conduct the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and to ensure the consistency of the EU's external action....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: In response to the Moroccan occupation of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975 and the ensuing conflict, much of the indigenous population of the region fled into Algeria. This resulted in the creation of the Saharawi refugee camp in the Tindouf region of south-western Algeria, which now represents one of the world's most protracted refugee situations. There is no formal...

Written Answers — Niger Food Crisis: Niger Food Crisis (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government is deeply concerned at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Niger. The country is in the middle of a severe nutrition and food crisis following insufficient and irregular rains in 2009 that caused poor food harvests and water shortages. In Niger, as many as 7.1 million people, representing 48 per cent of the country's population, do not have access to sufficient food....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan, where the UN estimates that seven years of conflict have resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 and the displacement of nearly three million, is of grave concern. The persistence of sporadic violence in the region is not only affecting the population but is also directly targeting the humanitarian community. The United Nations African...

Written Answers — Extractive Industries: Extractive Industries (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: A recent report by Concord, the European umbrella organisation for development Non-Governmental Organisations, focuses on the use of tax planning and trade pricing mechanisms by multinational mining corporations to avoid tax payments in African countries. It calls for the implementation of a series of measures to counteract such practices, including "country by country" reporting in European...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the all-party motion was forwarded by this House to Parliament in Westminster. In the context of the clear view taken by this House on these matters, it would be for this House to decide what further steps, if any, it may wish to take in pursuance of the motion.

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 399 together. 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...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 391 and 392 together. The issue of Iran and the major international concerns regarding its nuclear programme was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 14 June, which I attended. Discussion focussed on appropriate follow-up by the EU to the new UN Security Council Resolution 1929 which had been adopted on 9 June and which imposes...

Written Answers — Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have not had any contact with or communication from the Mexican Government on this matter.