Results 44,061-44,080 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Middle East Peace Process. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I agree with much of what Deputy Higgins has outlined. The size of the population of children in Gaza is striking. The sight of children everywhere is one of the most immediately visible scenes there. What is more alarming is the number of malnourished children. In spite of the outstanding work by UNRWA the basic food supplies it makes available are not sufficient to deal with the issue....

Middle East Peace Process. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I agree with what the Deputy has outlined in terms of the illegality of settlements which are contrary to international law. The fundamental problem is that the facts on the ground continue to feed scepticism on the Palestinian side that the Israeli Government is open to a deal. On the other hand, I put on record that when I went to Egypt, which is the subject matter of a later question,...

Passport Applications. (30 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 industrial action has led to a backlog of over 50,000 passport applications in the system and the application turnaround time is currently 15 to 20 working days. As a result, the Department advises it is not possible to fast-track any...

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ryanair.

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: What was the Deputy's question?

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer to the question before that.

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is on the record in that case. As I said in my opening remarks, I call on the CPSU to call off the action immediately. We concluded the public sector talks that were under way at Croke Park. In that context, there is every reason for the union to instruct its members to call off the action. If this happened, we could return to normal activity within a matter of days. The key issue for...

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: We have about three specialised machines that are, for security reasons, unique to the country from the viewpoint of manufacture. Contingency planning is involved in the event of breakdown or whatever. In terms of extending the validity of all existing passports, again there are standards with regard to international travel documents which limit passports to ten years, and therefore it is...

Passport Applications. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: It was some time back. I can get the exact date for the Deputy and I do not have a date for conclusion, as yet.

Revised Estimates. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Revised Estimate volume published by the Department of Finance last February shows a gross allocation to Vote 29 - international co-operation - of €536 million. A further estimated €135 million is set to come from other Departments which, together with Ireland's share of the EU Development Cooperation budget, brings the total 2010 estimated allocation for Official Development...

Revised Estimates. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As a percentage of the overall budget, the NGO sector does better in this country than in almost any other within the OECD. I believe that up to 20% of our budget goes to the NGOs, which is very high. That is something that should be acknowledged. In terms of the administrative budget here, from about 2007-10, and particularly from 2008 to date, it has been hovering around the €35.708...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The examination of this issue is at a very early stage and we are working in consultation with other Government Departments. It should be noted that in the UK case, consideration of the issues and consultation of interested parties took two years.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The passport for the person in question will be ready for collection at the Molesworth Street Office on Friday March 26.

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no such properties.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (25 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. Unfortunately, this has lead to a significant backlog of passport applications leading to significant delays in processing passport applications in the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department has been advising the pubic of the extent...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in two buildings in Dublin: Ground floor of Hospitality House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 2. This property is leased directly by my Department. The 20 year lease contains a provision for upward only rent reviews at 5 year intervals. The annual rental cost is currently €144,900. However, the lease on these premises is being terminated this year....

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware the Passport Service is currently experiencing disruption to services caused by ongoing industrial action throughout the public service. This industrial action has curtailed the flexibility previously available in delivering passport services. On 4 March the Department of Foreign Affairs advised passport customers through the press and on the Passport Service website...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: US military actions in Afghanistan were not discussed during the meetings which the Taoiseach and I had with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in Washington last week. Discussion of Afghanistan focussed on food security and police training, where Ireland is prepared to make a direct contribution. In addition, both the President and the Secretary of State thanked Ireland for the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that arrangements were made for the father of the children concerned to collect the passports at the Molesworth Street office on 23 March.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: 2010 marks the Bicentenary of the independence of Argentina. Given the long-standing and close bilateral ties which characterise relations between Ireland and Argentina, a wide ranging programme is being put in place to mark this significant anniversary in Argentina's history. The Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires launched its commemorative programme of Argentina's Bicentenary during the highly...