Results 43,961-43,980 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which indicated a rise in the level of arms exported from Germany in recent years. Since December 2008, all European Union Member States, including Germany, are legally bound to uphold Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which defines common rules governing the control of exports of military...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 87, 99, 105, 107, 115, 125, 287 and 296 together. I refer to my earlier reply to Priority Questions 70 and 72 for details on my discussions with Secretary Clinton, and on the issues of Gaza and of Israeli settlement construction. Further to that reply, I would add a number of points in answer to matters raised by Deputies. The difficulties inherent in...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 288 and 300 together. International concerns about the nature and aims of Iran's nuclear programme, which are shared by Ireland, have been the focus of diplomatic efforts for some years. The EU has been actively engaged with the Iranian authorities since 2004 in trying to reach a satisfactory resolution of this issue. This EU commitment was repeated in the...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty which will support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The High Representative has on 25 March presented a proposal for a Council Decision on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS and discussion will soon commence on this. As...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The question of introducing any tax measures is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance. From a foreign policy perspective, I would not exclude that taxation measures might have a role to play in regulating international financial markets, alongside other international instruments. As the Deputy will be aware, there were calls at the G20 Summit in St Andrews last November for a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority question number 13403/10. 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 industrial action has led to a backlog of over 50,000 passport applications in the system and application...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 112, and 116 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs decentralised to Limerick. This Division operates externally under the name of Irish Aid. The Headquarters of Irish Aid is situated in my Department's Limerick building. Of the 108 staff...

Written Answers — Irish Residents Abroad: Irish Residents Abroad (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There is no legal requirement for Irish citizens living abroad to register with their nearest Embassy. As such, no official figures are available for the number of Irish citizens who are permanently resident abroad. During 2009 our diplomatic missions issued 81,000 passports to Irish citizens ordinarily resident abroad. The most recent US census recorded 124,000 Irish born residents,...

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

Micheál Martin: I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been treated in Colombia. To this end, a number of steps have been taken over the past year in addressing human rights issues directly with the Government of Colombia and together with the European Union. First, in December 2008, at the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are a total of 89 Honorary Consuls serving at present and the table below sets out where they are located. Consideration of whether to appoint an Honorary Consul in a particular country or specific area within a country is taken on the basis of several criteria eg Consular needs, location of significant Irish community, business opportunities etc.. The Department requests all missions...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Residences: Diplomatic Residences (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 127 together. Ireland has strong commercial and business linkages with Canada. Total trade (manufacturing and services) between Ireland and Canada in 2008 was valued at more than €1.6 billion. The first ten months of 2009 saw a 12 % increase in this trade. Canada is also a key tourism market for Ireland with 108,000 Canadians visiting Ireland in 2008....

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

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. While we have seen some improvements in the economic sphere since the formation of the unity government, this has not been matched in other crucial areas, including respect for human rights, the rule of law and security sector reform. The lack of progress in implementing the...

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

Micheál Martin: At an early stage, a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, agreed to accept former Guantánamo detainees cleared for release. To date, twenty-two former detainees have been received by EU Member States. I understand that in the case of certain other Member States, the consideration of whether or not to accept detainees is ongoing. Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to...

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

Micheál Martin: Thailand is currently experiencing large scale demonstrations on the streets of the capital Bangkok. The rallies have been taking place since 12 March with anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters – supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - demanding the dissolution of Parliament and new elections. The Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has stated that he will not...

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

Micheál Martin: There have been a number of developments of interest and concern in Nigeria in recent weeks, relating both to the composition of the Federal Government, and to outbreaks of violence in the country. The absence of President Yar Adua, who left Nigeria in November last year for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia without transferring power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, caused some...

Written Answers — Embassy Marriages: Embassy Marriages (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Marriages performed by Embassies in Ireland have never been recognised in Irish law although they may of course be recognised in the laws of the states whose Embassies perform them. In international law a marriage performed at an Embassy will only be internationally recognised if it is in the country in which it is performed. It is for this reason that a state proposing to perform marriages...

Written Answers — Haiti Earthquake: Haiti Earthquake (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 129 and 290 together. The challenges faced in responding to the devastating Haiti earthquake of 12 January were exceptionally serious: the destruction of essential infrastructure, the tragic loss of both key Government and UN personnel, and enormous pre-existing vulnerabilities. The international community generally and the EU specifically responded...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have previously welcomed the appointment of Catherine Ashton as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission. HR Ashton is already working closely with European Union Foreign Ministers to ensure that the Union plays an active and influential role on the world stage. It is important that we put in place a capable...

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

Micheál Martin: I am very concerned over the continued detention of Ms Birtukan Midekssa a prominent opposition figure in Ethiopian politics. Ms Midekssa was among the opposition leaders who were imprisoned following the 2005 elections in Ethiopia and the ensuing violence. Almost all of these detainees were pardoned and released in 2007, on condition that they admitted to errors in the post-election period....

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Government of Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. This does not inhibit the development of economic relations with Taiwan, however, and our trade with Taiwan has increased steadily over the years. Our merchandise trade with Taiwan in 2008 was worth €761 million: trade in services is also...