Results 43,621-43,640 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It defies any logic. People who had a long history of trade with Israel were completely undermined. There is a prospect of developing employment again in Gaza if the private sector is allowed to operate. That is something I will be pushing. I met business people in Gaza at the time and they articulated this point of view to me. They had been wiped out by the blockade.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is difficult to comprehend. The Rachel Corrie was not under Irish ownership as such. The UN began by moving the cargo from the initial group of ships, with the exception of one ship whose owners have not yet agreed to the terms agreed by the UN with the Israeli authorities. The consideration of the cargo of the Rachel Corrie was delayed while this first group was dealt with. We believe...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry; I wish to make one final point that may prevent further questions on the issue of property raised by Deputy Higgins. The large number of persons aboard the first group of ships detained left their personal belongings on board. These were not returned to them individually when they were deported. Instead, the luggage was sent en masse by aeroplane to Istanbul with the deportees....

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are following up any allegations of ill treatment towards Irish citizens.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: There have been approximately two allegations, but I will come back to the Deputy with the specific number. We have met one of the individuals and are pursuing that allegation, including the issue of the passport.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I believe the ill-conceived strategy of dealing with the flotilla by military means ultimately had the effect of undermining the blockade and that the unacceptable killings and tragic deaths that resulted changed the entire situation. International pressure and reaction to the military attack on the flotilla was such that it rendered the policy of the blockade unsustainable. International...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Notwithstanding the different emphases and perspectives across the European Union with regard to the Middle East, the conclusions arrived at last December under the Swedish Presidency were strong and robust and form a basis for consensus across the Union and a platform for action on the issue. The issue remains on the agenda on a continuing basis because of events. The European Union...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Well done.

Passport Security (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together. The current Irish passport system is one of the most secure in the world. The taxpayer has made a significant investment in enhancing the security of passports. The passport has been designed to ensure that the technologies used are those strictly controlled and mandated by the relevant international body, ICAO, International Civil...

Passport Security (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The investigation is at a very early stage and it is important that we get the full facts thereon as early as possible. I am loth to comment specifically on the details on the assertion that has been made. The Deputy asked whether the current passport technology is safe. It is top class and to a very high specification. The Deputy is correct about the Dubai incident in that the passports...

Passport Security (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy referring to the Dubai report?

Passport Security (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: We said we would provide a redacted version for the Deputies concerned. Members opposite, with the exception of Deputy Michael D. Higgins, were preoccupied over the past fortnight. I will revert to Deputy Pat Breen. We must be careful about our remarks because no issue arises in respect of millions of Irish passports. There are approximately 2 million valid passports of the pre-2005 type...

Passport Security (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is an ongoing review. I hope it will be ready in a matter of months.

Irish United Nations Association (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Irish United Nations Association, IUNA, is a non-governmental organisation based in Dublin whose objectives are to promote the aims and activities of the United Nations and its specialised agencies in Ireland. IUNA received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs to achieve these objectives from 1972 onwards, with €60,000 allocated for this purpose in 2009. In addition to...

Irish United Nations Association (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The feedback I received about outputs, activity levels and so on was not good. Sometimes, I make my views known about some of the recommendations in the McCarthy report, but we cannot blame it for everything, particularly in this context. The bottom line is that we cannot-----

Irish United Nations Association (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The feedback I received about outputs and activity levels was not positive.

Irish United Nations Association (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes, we need to make calls on these issues. Subheads and budget allocations cannot be continued forever on the basis that everyone is nice.

Irish United Nations Association (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have given the outline and the reasons for taking this decision. In terms of the objectives that the association set for itself, we cannot keep slotting money into various subheads year on year.