Results 45,581-45,600 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am not entirely convinced by the Deputy's argument. It is much to early to rush into a definitive position on the best international mechanism to deal with the present circumstances. My understanding of the historical background of this issue is that the relationship between the International Monetary Fund and United Nations was governed by a broad framework agreement entered into in...

International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is not a correct analysis of the Sarkozy position to state it does not amount to more than the making of adjustments. The French President would not agree with that perspective.

International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I stated, these are still early days and I am not convinced by the Deputy's argument on what is the most effective international institution to address the issue. Without doubt, the existing institutions require fundamental reform as they are outdated in terms of membership, composition and so forth. The United Nations also requires significant reform to deal with modern global...

International Agreements. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Hedge funds are not the only fire to have spread from America. We also have problems arising from the sub-prime mortgage market.

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The resurgence of fighting in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a matter of grave concern, both in terms of its implications for the humanitarian situation and for the stability of the wider Great Lakes region. It has seriously undermined the Goma and Nairobi peace agreements and placed the progress made over the past year in the Great Lakes peace process in...

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The force was established in 1999 and there are 17,000 troops from the 20 different countries involved. It is clearly the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission, with a budget exceeding $1 billion, so this is no mean attempt to deal with the problems. It is mandated to use all necessary means to protect civilians from physical attack. It is clearly signalling to the...

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is a very reasonable proposition and it has neither been ruled in or out. It will require the agreement of all the member states as regards participation, particularly in the context of the battle groups for rapid deployment under a UN mandate. Again, no decision has been taken and it is probably an issue that will surface at the GAERC meeting. We have an open mind with regard to EU...

Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland, together with its EU partners, is committed to a negotiated and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, with a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its core. Ireland strongly supports the Annapolis process, launched under US auspices in November 2007, aimed at reaching agreement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of this year. While it is clear...

Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I take the overall points made by the Deputy. With regard to the EU-Israel agreement, Ireland was one of the strong advocates for a linkage between it and political developments and commitment to a two-state solution. This was not entirely appreciated by the Israeli Government, as was articulated to me by Foreign Minister Livni, when I met her. I was asked why Ireland was so strong among...

Middle East Peace Process. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I empathise with the Deputy's views, but we make our stance, and continue to do so, within EU meetings and that is where we articulate our position. On the Hamas question, there cannot be an overall political settlement which does not include Gaza. It is, therefore, logical that Hamas must be involved at some point. However, the EU is not ready to negotiate with Hamas until it recognises...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Peter Power, led the Irish delegation to the Accra high level forum on aid effectiveness in Accra, Ghana in September and was able to make a meaningful contribution to the discussions on the Accra agenda for action. The high level forum has been effective in drawing renewed attention to the importance of...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are in tune with and support the Accra agenda. The Deputy's point is well made. For some time there was a lack of co-ordination between donor countries and we put too much stress on recipient countries in terms of their governmental capacity to absorb and spend aid. Now, different countries and donors take a lead in respect of countries in certain areas, for example, in Uganda in terms...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The preponderance of our aid goes to the poorest of the poor.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The bulk of our aid goes to the poorest, but not all of it. It is a broad spectrum and there are different levels of support, but the preponderance goes to the poorest of the poor, particularly in Africa. We review the situation regularly and search for better value for money, better outcomes and optimal effectiveness in our aid programme. I take on board the points made by the Deputy and...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Since 2004, considerable efforts have been made through the EU's European neighbourhood policy, ENP, to offer our neighbours to the east a privileged relationship. This relationship is intended to build on a common commitment to democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development. Progress has been made in these areas, although...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am not sure the disastrous events to which Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred could be accurately described as transitions to a market economy.

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy can describe these events however he likes but they did not give rise to a fully transparent market. Much of the asset privatisation which took place following the fall of the Soviet empire was unacceptable. The process gave rise to some difficult questions. Fundamentally, the EU's engagement with our eastern partners is informed by a genuine commitment to human rights, systems...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: He certainly has. Deputy Timmins asked whether we are being lobbied.

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will deal with Kosovo in reply to Deputy Michael D. Higgins's question. In regard to perspectives on our decision on the Lisbon treaty, engagement on that issue has not been significant. I suspect that the challenges with which the countries concerned must contend have pushed the treaty down their list of priorities. At present, the only pressing country in terms of membership...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: In regard to whether we were lobbied, the answer is "No". When I met the Minister, Mr. Lavrov, he was disposed to present the Russian perspective on the Georgian conflict. Our position is regarded as clear because we issued statements condemning Russian actions in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and its recognition of the two regions as independent states. He understood our position.