Results 45,021-45,040 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Members also should recall that in the past, Mr. Netanyahu has proved capable of reaching pragmatic agreements. On the face of it, given all the rhetoric and articulation of ideas, one does not draw hope from some of the rhetoric that has been articulated. However, we have been through this in Ireland in respect of our peace process and behind that, perhaps movement can take place. In the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 13 and 66 together. The humanitarian situation across the enormous expanse of Sudan continues to be tragic and complex. Although rich with oil, Sudan is placed 146th out of 179 on the UN's human development index. Despite recent talks between the Sudanese Government and rebel groups, hostilities on the ground in Darfur continue. As a result of the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I understand fully the Deputy's remarks underlying the question he has put and the dilemma he has highlighted. One would hope the choice was not so stark. I agree with the clear view of the international community and the European Union that one cannot pull back from the decision of the court or indeed pressurise the court to rescind or reverse its decision. Therefore, the alternative is...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Higgins's point on the African Union. In the context of Zimbabwe there were elements of this, where the situation was allowed to continue in an unacceptable way and the regional power, the African Union, did not do enough to ensure the right outcome. It did not intervene effectively in that situation. The outcome was appalling as a result. We have urged all parties to engage...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We have discussed it, and it will be discussed at the next GAERC meeting. I am not in disagreement with the points articulated by the Deputies. The international community is endeavouring to put as much pressure as possible on the Sudanese Government to move on the situation. We have applied a range of UN sanctions, including an arms embargo, a travel ban and an asset freeze on certain...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: There have been a number of allegations by NGOs relating to the supply of cluster munitions to the Government of Sri Lanka in the conflict with the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam, LTTE. In February this year, press reports cited UN sources in Sri Lanka in reporting that cluster munitions were used in an attack on a hospital in which 52 people were killed. However, the UN Office for the...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Higgins on the horrific nature of the conflict in Sri Lanka. We brought that to the attention of the Sri Lankan Government. I spoke to the ambassador, who is based in London, in Dublin and we conveyed our views on the undesirable nature of a purely military solution to this situation. Equally, the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam and their methodologies are to be...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The problem is that in conflict zones claims are made and propaganda is used. Establishing the truth can be a slow process. We must establish the truth and, in the spirit of the convention, along with the EU we will seek to establish the truth of the use of cluster munitions and to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the civilian population. Some €12 million was allocated...

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 39 together. The conflict in Gaza has had devastating humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. It should also be recalled that, even prior to the recent conflict, Gaza was experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis due to the economic blockade by Israel and the effective isolation of the territory from the outside world. At the...

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have already indicated that it is not the core programme of Irish Aid to support such a movement. In essence, it seems the Free Gaza Movement is an advocacy group that engages in very high-profile events such as the flotillas identified by the Deputy. The preponderance of our aid goes through the Palestinian Authority, with aid supporting its governance functions in the West Bank and Gaza....

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I did not pick up the Deputy's first question.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: He set up a panel of inquiry, as the Deputy knows.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I do not have an outcome to the best of my knowledge. I will check on it and come back to the Deputy. The conference referred to by the Deputy pledged a significant amount and I met with Mr. John Ging on his recent visit. The issue for UNRWA is access.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Is that right? The Deputy deserves considerable credit.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I spoke with Javier Solana yesterday, the European Union official responsible for European security and defence policy. He spoke very highly of Mr. Ging and the role he played during the Gaza conflict.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: He was very courageous and principled and he is a man of great integrity. He was a very important touchstone for us during the conflict as he was on the ground. The investigations are ongoing with regard to the shelling near or approximate to the UNRWA schools. What he and Karen Koning AbuZayd of UNRWA have raised is the fact that in some instances, even stationary has not been allowed into...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The total official development assistance budget for 2009 will be €696 million. It is anticipated the aid budget will amount to 0.48% of GNP. This will mean that Ireland will most likely remain the sixth largest aid donor in the world as a percentage of GNP. This remains an enormous achievement in the current economic circumstances. The reduction in the aid budget will necessitate...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy rightly points out that we have had a significant reduction in GNP in 2008 and 2009. While I do not want to go down that road, we are dealing with a net reduction of €80 million from a very substantial budget if we factor in the 2008 reduction and the expected 8% reduction in GNP in 2009. That is the context. We were aiming for 0.54% in 2009. Owing to the reduction in GNP we...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The NGOs will know very soon and we will be communicating with them directly. I point out that we have one of the best records of any donor countries in assisting NGOs and missionaries in that approximately 20% of our aid programme is delivered via civil society organisations with more than €200 million being provided in 2008. No other donor allocates such a high proportion of its aid...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: In my reply to the previous question I set out in some detail the important issues the Government is facing in implementing the adjustments to the aid programme which are now required. As I pointed out, with an overall allocation of €696 million in 2009, Ireland will again be the sixth most generous aid donor internationally in per capita terms. We will deliver on our commitment to resume...