Results 44,321-44,340 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — International Money Laundering: International Money Laundering (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers. There are widespread allegations relating to North Korea's financial arrangements abroad and to possible money-laundering activities. The allegations made in these reports are even more regrettable in the context of the plight of ordinary people in North Korea. While the North Korean regime continues to invest precious resources in its...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I stated previously in my reply of 19 January, I am aware of the case of Dr. Sadok Shourou, who was re-arrested on 3 December 2008, shortly after serving nearly 18 years of a 30 year sentence for his leadership of an Islamist group allegedly attempting to overthrow the Tunisian government. I understand that Dr. Shourou was arrested for the second time on foot of comments he had made...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department does not engage in significant capital expenditure in the State. Most of the relatively small amount of capital expenditure undertaken by my Department is on the renovation or purchase of properties, both in Ireland and abroad. In Ireland in 2010, there is one renovation project being undertaken where an additional floor of the Passport office...

Written Answers — Foreign Property: Foreign Property (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer to my response to PQ no 1221/10 on the issue of Irish investors who are experiencing difficulties with their investments in Turkish property. I am aware of a number of similar cases to the one outlined and in this regard I recently wrote to my counterpart, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, to raise my concerns regarding the problems experienced by Irish citizens with their...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Administrative Budget available to my Department in 2010 is some €10million less than in 2009. Some of the necessary savings will fall on headquarters activities but savings and efficiencies in running our embassies and consular offices will also be implemented in 2010. The details of the reductions are currently being worked through but there will be reductions in all areas of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are a number of different schemes operating in my department which administer grant funding: the Reconciliation Fund for North-South and Anglo-Irish Co-operation; the Anti-Sectarianism Fund; the Emigrant Support Programme; the Communicating Europe Initiative; and the Irish Aid programme, Ireland's programme of official development assistance. In addition to this there are a number of...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: As indicated in my reply to your question number 94019, on Thursday 17th December, 2009, the person in question submitted his application for a passport having lost his first Irish passport and the vital documents which provide evidence of his citizenship. Section 7 of the Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister shall be satisfied that the person...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (26 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I wish to advise the Deputy that I am informed that Consular assistance was not sought from my Department, either through the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin or our Consulate in Boston by the person, or his family, mentioned by the Deputy. Our Missions overseas provide a wide range of practical assistance where Irish citizens experience serious illness or are...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (21 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following tables set out, for both Votes, the details of reports commissioned by the Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the costs in each case. There were 4 reports on the EU which I requested the department to undertake prior to and post the Lisbon...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that that person is an Irish citizen. Proofs of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no such inquiries under way. The only such inquiry for which my Department had responsibility during the last ten years was the investigation by Mr. Justice Peter Cory, a retired judge of the Canadian Supreme Court, of allegations of collusion in the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Patrick Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are currently three bodies, which operate under the aegis of my Department: the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon); and the Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. The Development Education Advisory Committee was established in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, Minister of State and...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department currently provides six websites, including a number of sites newly established in 2009 for which the total set up costs have been included. Website Annual Cost of Maintaining Site No of Unique Visits for 2009 Department of Foreign Affairs family of website including 68 Embassy websites and the passport application tracking site €72,120 2,114,675 Irish Aid family of...

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

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office informs me that to date no application has been received in respect of the passport holder, whose current passport has expired. The applicant should make immediate contact with the Consulate General of Ireland, New York at + 1 212 319 2555 who have been made aware of the matter.

Written Answers — Lost Property: Lost Property (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am informed that the wallet of the person mentioned was lost in France June in 2009. The wallet was subsequently handed in to the French police and forwarded to the Embassy in Paris so that it could be returned to the owner. The Embassy forwarded the wallet to the Department of Foreign Affairs HQ in Dublin but, most regrettably, it would appear that it was mislaid sometime after receipt...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I share the Deputy's concern at the sequence of events which led to members of the Garda Síochána recovering a quantity of explosive material which had inadvertently been brought into Ireland in the luggage of a passenger who had flown into Dublin from the Slovak Republic on 2 January. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has asked the Garda Commissioner for a...

European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The fiscal stimulus and banking supports are two different pillars.

European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: That is useful. I thank Members for their wide-ranging contributions. In terms of the comments made by Deputy Timmins on Haiti and by other the colleagues in the House, we will discuss this situation in greater detail tomorrow. However, I take this opportunity to express our deepest sympathies and extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Haiti and to all those affected by the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: That is a very important point.