Results 43,921-43,940 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (20 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The person in question collected his passport from the Passport office in Molesworth Street on Thursday 1 April.

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (20 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: The first indication we received of the use of false Irish passports in connection with the killing of Mr. Mahmoud al Mabhouh was on 4 February, when local press reports in Dubai stated that several suspects were believed to have entered Dubai on Irish passports. The Ambassador of Ireland to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ciarán Madden, immediately contacted the UAE Foreign Ministry to seek...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 23 March 2010 and am now happy to be in a position to provide costs as requested by the Deputy. St. Patrick's Day offers a unique opportunity to raise Ireland's profile, promote our interests overseas, to strengthen bilateral relations, provide support for Irish communities abroad and to deepen the connection with our Diaspora. There is an...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (1 Apr 2010)

Micheál Martin: There has been substantial work in recent weeks on the European External Action Service (EEAS) which is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty supporting the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. On 25 March the High Representative presented her proposal for a Council Decision on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS,...

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

Micheál Martin: A passport application for the named person was registered with the Passport Office in Balbriggan on 23 March, 2010. It was received through the Passport Express service which is a ten day guarantee service that is provided by the Passport Office in partnership with An Post. However, due to industrial action the Passport Express guarantee was suspended on 4 March. As a result it is presently...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, customers have been experiencing disruption to passport services as a result of ongoing industrial action in the public service. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been advising the pubic of the extent of these problems through media channels and, in particular, via the Department's website, www.dfa.ie . On 4 March the Passport Service had to withdraw the guarantee...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: A passport application for the named person was registered with the Passport Office in Balbriggan on 16 March, 2010. It was received through the Passport Express service which is a ten day guarantee service that is provided by the Passport Office in partnership with An Post. However, due to industrial action the Passport Express guarantee was suspended on 4 March. As a result it is presently...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Passport Applications submitted through missions abroad take between four and six weeks under normal circumstances. Due to the ongoing industrial action there is a further delay in the processing of all applications. Without the application number this application cannot be identified in the system at this point. The applicant should contact the Embassy in Canberra or the Consulate in...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has raised this issue at various stages. To be frank, the existing position has prevailed for some time and it may be opportune to have a review. I will discuss having a review of the situation with my colleagues in Government, without any commitment either way. Ireland is not a party to Schengen. As it develops with regard to visa arrangements with other countries,...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Council did not consider the matter of the European External Action Service, EEAS. Substantial work has been carried out in recent weeks on the EEAS. In my view, it is potentially one of the most important innovations of the Lisbon treaty and supports the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. We had discussions...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: No, there is further work to be done on them. At the meeting, the President of the European Parliament voiced certain reservations about some of the proposals. It is a work in progress. There will be engagement with the Parliament.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: This is a different situation, post Lisbon. The Parliament is in a much stronger position because of the Lisbon treaty. I intend to meet with the Members of the European Parliament from Ireland and I suggest the Joint Committee on European Affairs should also do so. We should adopt a national position with regard to how we want the service structured, the size of the service and the nature...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: All the indications are that it will be an open and transparent process. Deputy Costello also asked about climate change.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Council ultimately decides for Europe with regard to the international relationship. The President of the Council and the President of the Commission are working together on our case with the strategic partners to achieve progress. The high representative is also a member of the Commission as vice president and will be involved in these consultations. The Commissioner for Climate...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Tobin, or transaction, tax is a proposal we will have to review because it will be on the table for discussion, although whether it ever gets adopted is another question. We have always had reservations on it.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is more than Mr. McCreevy.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the Irish position, significant issues arise irrespective of who is in Government.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: We do not want to jump in without assessing the repercussions for our own competitiveness and inward investment.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The national interest has to be carefully protected.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Having spent four years in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I know a lot about the movement of investment and trade.