Results 43,741-43,760 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business. (3 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is about legislation.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the situation of North Korean migrants in China. As reported in January 2010 by the respected NGO, Human Rights Watch, most North Koreans who flee the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), do so by escaping through their country's northern border with China. The situation in the DPRK from which they flee has been described as "abysmal" by the UN Special...

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

Micheál Martin: On 27 May officials of my Department and the CPSU attended a mediation process at the invitation of the Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission. On 28 May a proposal was presented by Mr. Mulvey to both sides. The management side have accepted the proposals which are currently being considered by members of the union. I hope that agreement will allow the Passport Service to return...

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

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the application was approved on 31 May, and the applicant will have the passport well in advance of her travel date.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will have seen the welcome news that on Saturday President Mutharika granted an unconditional pardon to Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In a press conference announcing the pardon, the President stated that he had taken his decision on humanitarian grounds and that the law itself has not changed. I have been following the...

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Senators, including the Acting Chairman, for their contributions to the debate. It follows the constructive debate yesterday in the other House where all parties agreed to the text of a motion. It is important that the Irish Houses of Parliament send a unified message to the international community that we condemn the Israeli attack on the flotilla, demand the immediate release...

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are not discussing an enhanced financial arrangement with Israel.

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: No one has said that.

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yesterday evening I opened a debate in the other House in the immediate aftermath of the events off Gaza. I am glad also to be able to participate in the Seanad's consideration of this important issue which has generated a great deal of public interest and concern both here and elsewhere. This debate also gives me the chance to update the Oireachtas on the information I have to hand. The...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: In June 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which declared 2 October, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi, the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution invited United Nation Member States to commemorate the International Day in an appropriate manner and to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. Ireland actively promotes...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together. I have had a number of meetings with US Secretary of State Clinton, most recently when I visited Washington for St. Patrick's Day. We have discussed issues of mutual interest, including situations of concern in the Middle East and elsewhere. I have not discussed the matter raised by the Deputy with Secretary of State Clinton or any other...

Written Answers — Passport Service: Passport Service (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated on 20 May last I have identified the necessity to examine further contingency arrangements for passport production. This will include the provision of passport production equipment in other parts of the country, including the mid west region. I have asked my officials to examine the feasibility of providing this service. However, as the examination is at a very early stage it...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I received correspondence in August 2009 outlining how the person mentioned by the Deputy escaped drowning in the El Indio caves during a tour of Cuba. On my instructions our Embassy in Mexico wrote to the Cuban Tourist Ministry in September 2009 to bring this person's incident to their attention and also to encourage the Cuban authorities to take measures to avoid repeat accidents....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 339 together. I condemn the sinking of the Republic of Korea (ROK) naval vessel "Cheonan" on 26 March and the resulting deaths of forty-six members of its crew. I take this opportunity to extend my condolences, and those of the Government, to the families of the victims and to the Government of the ROK, on their tragic loss. I note with deep concern...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The difficult situation of the undocumented Irish in the US and the impact on their families in America and Ireland is a matter of deep concern to the Government. I would urge anybody who might be tempted in the current economic climate to follow in the footsteps of the undocumented to take account of the plight in which they now find themselves. Finding a solution for our undocumented...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department introduced an electronic payslip system in late 2007 whereby staff may access details of their salary payments on-line. As a result, paper payslips are now only used in a small number of cases. A stock of paper payslips was purchased in 2007 at a cost of €2,604. There were no other production, printing, or delivery costs for payslips during the years in question.

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

Micheál Martin: At 28 May, 2010 there were 61,185 applications in the system. These arrears have built up due to industrial action in the Passport Service. On 27 May officials of my Department and the CPSU attended a mediation process at the invitation of the Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission. On 28 May a proposal was presented by Mr. Mulvey to both sides. The management side have accepted...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together. The Deputy will have seen the welcome news that on Saturday President Mutharika granted an unconditional pardon to Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In a press conference announcing the pardon, the President stated that he had taken his decision on humanitarian grounds and that...

Written Answers — Passport Service: Passport Service (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: In February 2010 a technical advisor to the Israeli Interior Ministry made contact with the Department and asked if a meeting could be arranged with the Passport Service to discuss a range of passport technology issues of international interest. The meeting was proposed in the context of a visit by officials of the Israeli Interior Ministry to a number of European countries. The Israeli...

Interception of Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla: Motion (1 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the MV Rachel Corrie, we have received no assurances other than the Israeli ambassador having conveyed to us that the Israeli Government does not want conflict or confrontation with it. One would hope that a different mindset will prevail in this regard. Deputy Higgins indicated to me this morning that Mr. Denis Halliday had been in touch, following which I telephoned him. We...