Results 45,621-45,640 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Human Rights Abuses. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Given how often it has been raised in the House and Seanad Éireann, both I and my predecessors have set out the Government's policy unequivocally, that is, we have always been totally opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition anywhere. The policy has not changed. The House will be aware that, last week, the Government decided to establish...

Tax Code. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Clune for raising this issue on the Adjournment. It is widely acknowledged that the Cork docklands project advanced by Cork City Council is potentially of major significance to the city itself. From the outset, the Government has also viewed it as a project of national significance. The council is to be congratulated on articulating an ambitious vision for the regeneration...

Tax Code. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The allocation is being deferred for 2009.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. I wish to reiterate at the outset that none of the various investigations into allegations of extraordinary rendition have revealed any evidence, or even resulted in a...

Written Answers — Racism in Sport: Racism in Sport (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the on-going issue of sectarian behaviour, including the singing of offensive songs, at Scottish premier league games and of the distress that this can cause. Since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on issues. In recent weeks the Consul General has been in close contact with...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for Irish foreign policy lies in the first instance with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Particular responsibility for policy on Overseas Development Assistance is assigned to the Minister of State for Overseas Development at my Department, Mr Peter Power, T.D. Minister Power oversees the Development Cooperation Directorate, a Division of my Department, which is responsible...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: There has been a substantial improvement in security in Iraq over the past eighteen months, although the level of violence remains quite high. Control of security has now been returned to Iraqi forces in all but five of Iraq's eighteen provinces. A large part of the improvement has been the general subsidence of inter-community sectarian violence. It is a matter of particular concern,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. Very clear difficulties exist in the country in relation to security issues, human rights, governance and the rule of law, and narcotics. The security situation of course remains a particular cause for concern, including in areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border. In this context, I welcome the meeting of Pakistan and Afghan political...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have received a letter from the group to which the Deputy refers. The Government remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Questions in this regard — including specific cases — are raised regularly with the Chinese authorities, within the context of our own regular discussions with them on issues of human rights and fundamental freedoms and...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: More than six weeks after the signing of a power-sharing agreement between Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, and the Tsvangirai and Mutambara factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), there has still been no agreement on forming a Government, and the situation in Zimbabwe remains deeply worrying. Although political violence has diminished, it has not stopped. The rate of inflation is...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Rwanda is one of the most stable countries in the Great Lakes region. It has made enormous progress in establishing peace, security and good governance since the genocide of 1994. Rwanda's stability is underpinned by strong levels of economic growth and it has won praise from international donors for its innovative approach to development. On 15 September last the country held its second...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: While my Department does not provide any frontline youth services, it does provide funding for many initiatives which are either directly or indirectly targeted at younger members of society. Ireland's annual budgetary contribution to the Council of Europe contains an item for the European Youth Foundation. Out of a total budget contribution of €2,692,472 in 2008, for which this Department...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The principal purpose of this Bill is to make provision in domestic law for the obligations the State will assume under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. As the House will be aware, the convention was adopted by consensus at the conclusion of the Dublin diplomatic conference last May at Croke Park. It will be opened for signature at a...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The convention prohibits all types of cluster munitions that have ever been used in an armed conflict. Furthermore, following proposals made by the Irish delegation, the convention also prohibits explosive bomblets that are specifically designed to be dispersed or released from dispensers affixed to aircraft in the same way as it does cluster munitions proper. This is an extremely important...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Price Increases: Price Increases (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The only charges for services levied by my Department are in respect of consular and passport fees and these have not increased since 2005.

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the ongoing issue of sectarian behaviour at Scottish Premier League games. I am conscious of the distress and offence it can cause. Since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on various issues. In recent weeks, the Consul General has been in close contact with senior officials in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Together with our European Union partners, Ireland is closely monitoring investigations by the Colombian Supreme Court into the alleged association of members of Congress and Government officials with paramilitary groups in Colombia. Any association between elected representatives or officials and paramilitary groups is a matter of serious concern in itself, and also has the capacity further...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Human rights issues are a standard element in all discussions with the Government of China, including during the Taoiseach's meeting last week with the Chinese Prime Minister. I did not accompany the Taoiseach to China on this occasion. On a bilateral level, senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs engage in regular meetings with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin on human rights...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: If the Deputy provides further details on the individual applicant who is the subject of this question my Department would be happy to look into the circumstances of the case. Embassies abroad charge visa application fees in accordance with the Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2004. The fee for a single entry visa application is €60. Fees for translation of documents...