Results 43,941-43,960 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I know from trying to persuade North American companies to invest in Ireland that they hold certain views of the European Union which often determine their decisions. To be fair, however, they prefer consistency in some respects. Prior to becoming President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy expressed to us his view as Belgian Prime Minister of the proposal. The fact that the proposal...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am not sure of that. Other factors motivated the response in terms of public opinion and electoral issues within Germany. As a politician himself, the Deputy will be cognisant of the various factors that can weigh on the mind of a Government leader when taking a stance on these issues.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: To be fair to Germany, it has been a strong supporter of the European Union and it has to lay down markers on the protection or rescue packages it is prepared to put together. There is merit to both sides of the argument and the solution that has been devised is the best that can be achieved in the context of 27 members states with differing perspectives. We supported that solution. On the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: We will work our way through the questions.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: In respect of the last question, the answer is "No". In terms of jobs opportunities Irish people work a great deal throughout Europe. There are many Irish people working in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and all European countries. On this day last week, I was in Paris for a long day at a session involving Irish engineering companies. I refer to one particular company involved in...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As part of that one could place young Irish graduates in quality companies. We are hoping to use the global Irish network we created at Farmleigh in this regard.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yes, and that is what we are endeavouring to do as one initiative on that front. FÁS has a link with its European equivalents in terms of job opportunities in other markets in the same way as when we were booming many of those agencies accessed our websites to establish what job opportunities were in Ireland in the various sectors.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I agree 100% with the Deputy. The modern world is different. Some 50 or 60 years ago, emigration was a one way ticket but today it is a two-way ticket. Some 10% of the start-up companies from Enterprise Ireland involve people who have returned from abroad. Travel makes it a smaller world. We are an international global people and we must continue to be. We cannot make enough money in...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should not underestimate his own role on that committee.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am waiting for the committee to refer back to me.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: For what programme?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: May I make a few brief remarks?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I bow to the ruling of the Chair.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I share the Deputy's concern that everything possible must be done to avoid a repeat of the ethnic violence that erupted after the 2007 elections in Kenya, in which it was estimated that over 1,500 people were killed and as many as 600,000 were displaced. Following mediation talks led by the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, an agreement designed to bring an end to the conflict was...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit in 2000 provide the framework for international development up to 2015. They involve a series of ambitious and far-reaching commitments by the entire international community, together with a set of specific targets against which to measure progress in the reduction of global poverty. The...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 122 and 293 together. On 27 February, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck off the Chilean coast, just 90 kilometres from Concepción, Chile's second largest city. The earthquake was followed by a destructive tsunami and several serious aftershocks were also registered. According to the Chilean authorities, the earthquake resulted in...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I visited Cairo on 23-25 February for discussions with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Whilst in Cairo I also took the opportunity to meet with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, and with the Director of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, General Omar Suleiman. Discussions in Cairo largely focused on the Middle East...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81 and 295 together. As Deputies will be aware from many previous statements in this House, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We are actively engaged in the EU and international efforts to support the Burmese people in their struggle for justice, democracy and development. The Burmese authorities are pushing ahead...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Since January 2009, there has been a net reduction of 58 in staffing levels in my Department. The moratorium on recruitment has meant that staff and functions within my Department are continually being reallocated and reorganised. In addition, the changing business needs of my Department, along with the nature of its core work, require the frequent reassignment of staff, both at home and to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States continues to be an important priority for this Government. We are also committed to enhancing our bilateral migration arrangements with the US through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable visa scheme, known as the E3 visa, and the further development of the working holiday programme. During our recent St...