Results 45,901-45,920 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations missions in Chad and Sudan and the UN-authorised EU military mission in Chad, EUFOR Tchad/RCA are part of a multidimensional security and humanitarian presence in a region which has been seriously affected by the Darfur conflict, as well as by tensions within and between the two countries. There are two UN missions in Sudan: UNMIS, established in March 2005 to support the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 102 together. The declaration of independence by the Kosovo Assembly on 17 February last marked the culmination of a lengthy final status process for Kosovo led by the UN Secretary-General's Special Status Envoy, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. In April 2007, after more than a year of talks involving Belgrade and Pristina, he produced his...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Questions 239 to 242 on 26 February 2008, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that he had asked the Secretary General of the Department to undertake a review of all aspects of the special passport facility for Members of the Oireachtas, including whether it should be continued in place. The Secretary General in March established a Committee...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Chad remains complex, fluid and fragile. United Nations agencies and NGOs have identified deteriorating security and internal displacement as two of the chief operational challenges they face in addressing the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad. The problem of insecurity that affects the civilian population and humanitarian actors in eastern Chad on a daily basis is one...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: My Department has long provided a first class Consular service to Irish citizens in need oversees and their families. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will ensure that maintaining and improving this high quality service remains a key strategic priority. Our resident Missions and Honorary Consuls around the world are readily available, as the need arises, to provide consular assistance to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government has consistently supported the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. Ireland has not taken a position on the future of the Territory, be it full independence, autonomy, or integration under Moroccan sovereignty. The important point is that the status of the Territory should be decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination by the people of the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Sri Lanka maintain good diplomatic relations. Our Ambassador in Delhi is also accredited to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Ireland is accredited from London. Ireland is also represented in Sri Lanka by an Honorary Consul in Colombo. My predecessor, Minister Dermot Ahern, made a visit to Sri Lanka in 2005 in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami. During that visit, he...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As we celebrate fifty years of involvement by the Defence Forces in UN-authorised peace support operations, it is worth recalling that the promotion of human rights and the protection of civilian populations has always been central to that involvement. I am advised by my colleague the Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD, that all members of the Defence Forces assigned to peacekeeping...

Written Answers — Peacebuilding Commission: Peacebuilding Commission (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The UN Peacebuilding Commission was formally established by parallel resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council in December 2005, on foot of a recommendation from the UN World Summit in September 2005. The Commission became operational in June 2006. Its purpose is to enhance the coherence and impact of the international community's activities by advising on and proposing...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I congratulate the people of Nepal on the successful establishment of the Constituent Assembly following elections on 10 April 2008 and welcome the fact that the transition to a new form of Government in Nepal has taken place in a largely peaceful and orderly manner. The people of Nepal have shown, after ten years of internal disturbances and war, their commitment to democracy and their...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: In the context of Ireland's participation in the EU military mission, EUFOR Tchad/RCA, the Government decided to establish diplomatic relations with Chad. The Ambassador designate of Ireland to Chad, Kyle O'Sullivan, is resident in Abuja, Nigeria, and has already visited Chad on a number of occasions. He is expected to present his credentials shortly. I am confident that the establishment of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Special sessions of the Human Rights Council can only be requested by members of the Council with the support of one third of the membership. Ireland is currently not a member of the Human Rights Council. I am not aware that any member of the Council intends to call for a special session on China I would note, however, that General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, which...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Honorary Consul General of Ireland in Beirut, Lebanon, is Mr. Khaled Daouk. He was appointed as Honorary Consul in 1988 and as Honorary Consul General in 1995. Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 74.

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 106 together. Intensive discussions are continuing in the current round of the WTO negotiations. There remain many issues to be resolved, not alone on the agriculture dossier, but also on the issues of non-agricultural market access, trade in services, rules and trade facilitation. The Government wants to see a successful outcome to the negotiations...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 114 together. The programme for Government of June 2007 committed us to campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions and to seek agreement on an immediate freeze on their use pending the establishment of effective international instruments to address humanitarian concerns. In implementation of this commitment, Ireland hosted and chaired...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, outlined in his response to a parliamentary question on 17 April, in the context of our EU Presidency, diplomatic relations with Burma were established on 10 February 2004 through the issue of a Joint Communiqué in the names of the two Governments. However, due to the deterioration in the political situation which followed shortly afterwards,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the legal regime governing the exploration and exploitation of Ireland's continental shelf. The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under that Convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The June European Council will consider the issue of higher food and oil prices. Ireland and its EU partners recognise that this issue presents significant challenges to Ireland, the EU and the world economy. The global upward trend in oil prices moreover reinforces the imperative for Ireland to reduce its oil dependency and to use energy wisely and efficiently. While the above concerns all...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Along with our partners in the EU, Ireland's position on the Kosovo final status issue has been that a final settlement for Kosovo must provide for a multi-ethnic, secure and democratic Kosovo, consistent with EU values and standards and contributing to the stability of the region. The EU has consistently highlighted the protection of minorities and the right to return of refugees and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 115 and 123 together. I called on the Chinese Ambassador on 15 May to personally convey my condolences and those of the people of Ireland to those bereaved by the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province. My Department maintains regular contact with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin to convey the Government's ongoing concerns at the situation in Tibet and to...