Results 43,881-43,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (5 May 2010)

Micheál Martin: A passport application for the named person was registered with the Passport Office in Molesworth Street on 27 April, 2010. As a direct result of industrial action, significant arrears of passport applications have arisen within the passport service. It is presently taking up to twenty working days to process Passport applications received through the Passport Express service. As...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2010)

Micheál Martin: As has been reported in this House on many previous occasions, human rights issues in China, including issues relating to Falun Gong, are regularly discussed on a bilateral basis with the Chinese Government, both in Beijing and in Dublin. The Government continues to stress at such meetings the great importance attached by Ireland to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (5 May 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the lead responsibility for matters related to the Schengen Agreement falls to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, I draw the Deputy's attention to the relevant sections of a reply to a written Parliamentary Question (17451/10), which the Minister for Justice and Law Reform provided on Thursday, 29 April 2010. The text of the relevant sections of his reply to...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 May 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are seven employees in my Department who are in receipt of pensions relating to their previous service in the public sector. Details of the salary scales of the staff in question are given in tabular format. Grade Salary Scale(per week) Number in receiptof pension Services Officer €398.74 - €531.61 (non-PPC)€416.49 - €559.23 (PPC) 5 Civilian Driver €631.75 2 My Department...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland looks forward to the progressive deepening and strengthening of the EU's relations with Israel, as with all of our Mediterranean partners. We agreed with the EU's decision in 2008 to enhance relations with Israel, but acted with other Member States to ensure that the decision of the External Relations Council included a clear linkage to the EU's political concerns in the region,...

Written Answers — Compensation Claims: Compensation Claims (29 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's Question refers to an individual who has sought compensation for alleged mishandling of a recruitment process by the Agency for Personal Services Overseas (APSO) in 1997. APSO was a limited company which was wound up in 2004. I am sure the Deputy will understand that, for legal reasons, I cannot enter into the details of this case. However, I can state that the Department of...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (28 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The disruption to international aviation which resulted from the emission of volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull was unprecedented. As the Deputy is aware, airlines are legally responsible for the provision of accommodation and subsistence for stranded passengers under EU Regulation 261/2004. However, it rapidly became clear that because of the shutdown of European...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are two parliamentary questions outstanding. PQ 6455/10 (relating to portable electrical equipment) and part of PQ12976/10 (a list of people who have participated in election monitoring missions since 2003) remain unanswered as a consequence of industrial action to date in 2010. Replies to the Deputies concerned are currently being finalised by my Department, and will be forwarded at...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: I draw the Deputy's attention to a reply to a written Parliamentary Question No. 151 which I provided on Wednesday, 21 April 2010 and to confirm that the situation concerning this matter has not changed in the intervening days. The text of my reply to Parliamentary Question 16000/10 is attached below, for ease of reference: "The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The passport for the person in question was dispatched on 22 April, 2010.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The passport application for the person in question was registered in the Passport Office in London on 31, March 2010. Because of her immediate travel requirements she was provided with an emergency travel certificate to allow her to return to Ireland. Her application was processed in London and a passport was issued on 21 April. The Passport Office in Dublin has been in contact with her and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: 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 the US government, which has called for his release. The latest reports from those campaigning...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise Ireland is the State Agency with primary responsibility for providing assistance to Irish companies seeking contracts abroad. The company referred to by the Deputy should be advised to contact their local Enterprise Ireland office to seek guidance from them on this matter. My Department provides support to Irish companies operating abroad through close cooperation with Enterprise...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: After the Icelandic volcano eruption and the resulting disruption of air travel had given rise to concerns that Irish citizens, through no fault of their own, might enter into overstay status the Embassy in Washington was in communication with the US Department of Homeland Security. The Embassy was advised that remedies were available for those citizens who were about to exceed the authorized...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (22 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have been following with interest the progress of this important case. The judgment of the European Court of Justice on 25 February confirmed the principle that goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not entitled to avail of the preferential tariff rates applying to goods from Israel. The judgement confirms existing practice, rather than introducing a new principle, and...

Written Answers — Consular Assistance: Consular Assistance (22 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: There is no firm estimate of the number of Irish citizens stranded by the recent air travel restrictions caused by the cloud of volcanic ash, following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Various estimates, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 were reported in the media. The lifting of restrictions on air travel, which took effect yesterday, should allow those citizens unable to return home to do so...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: Industrial action in the Passport Office by public service unions began on 19 January as part of action across the civil service. Whereas aspects of the action have now been relaxed the dispute has led to a backlog in passports to be issued. On 20 April the backlog stood at 67,738 applications. The turnaround time for passport applications is currently 15 – 20 working days for those...

Written Answers — Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (21 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has periodically enlarged its membership since its foundation with 20 Members, including Ireland, in 1961. It currently has 30 members, with the Slovak Republic the most recent to accede, in 2000. In 2007, the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting decided, by consensus, to open accession discussions with Chile, Estonia, Israel,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have been frank and open in criticising aspects of Israeli policies in relation to both political and human rights issues, and in raising these bilaterally and at EU level. However, as I have made clear on many occasions, including most recently at the ICTU Conference on Palestine held on 16 April 2010, the Government does not support proposals for trade, academic, cultural or other...

Order of Business (21 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: When it is finished in the other House.