Results 5,301-5,320 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Judicial Powers: Judicial Powers (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Supreme Court is the final arbiter on all questions of Irish law, under the terms of Bunreacht na hÉireann. It is clear that the ultimate source of sovereignty remains with the Member States and their national constitutions, with the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice applying only to those areas where the Member States have conferred powers on the Union. In this regard, the Lisbon...

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. All other EU Member States are parties to the Convention. Amending legislation is required in order to complete the remaining steps necessary for ratification by Ireland. This will deal with the consent procedures in relation...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application for Irish citizenship, through entry in the Foreign Births Register, by the person to whom he has referred has been approved by the Consulate General in New York. The certificate confirming the applicant's Irish citizenship has been issued by the Consulate-General, and, as a result, she does not now require a visa to remain in Ireland.

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: There is only one 'pilot project' currently being undertaken within my Department. This involves redirecting telephone queries relating to visa applications to an outside operator. This project was initially undertaken in our Embassy in London in January 2007, and was extended to our Missions in the United States in July 2007. The purpose of the project is to offer a high-quality...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (4 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Requirements for entry into Australia are the exclusive responsibility of the Australian authorities. In the circumstances, I would suggest that in the case of applications for work visas, as raised in the Deputy's question, the people concerned should seek clarification directly from the Australian High Commission, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australia House, Strand, London...

Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Gilmore objected to you.

Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: We need order.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together. Advertising undertaken by my Department in Ireland typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods and public information notices relating to changes in passport application procedures and fees. While much of this material is now placed on the Department's website, advertising continues to be...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Payment of invoices by this Department is governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997 as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002. Every effort is made by my Department to make payments for goods and services within the 30 day period. The following table gives the total amount of interest paid to suppliers in...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are no agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. There are, however, four advisory committees and one educational commission which come under its aegis. The Advisory Board for Irish Aid, which replaced the Irish Aid Advisory Committee (IAAC), was established in August 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 492 together. The Government of Colombia has repeatedly stated its commitment to bringing to an end all terrorism in Colombia within the framework of the Justice and Peace Law. This Law, passed in 2005, provides an overall legal framework for the demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into Colombian society. The Justice...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Since the introduction in June 2005 of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), my Department has carried out two RIA screenings on: the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2006, which related to the mandate and functions of the Special EU Programmes Body, an all-island body established under the Good Friday Agreement; and the Passports Act 2008, which sets out a specific legislative basis for...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and confirms their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship. Accordingly, it is the Government's firm view that all Irish citizens should be eligible to represent our national...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 496 to 501, inclusive, together. The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be both shocking and deeply disturbing. With voting in the second round of the Presidential election due to take place on 27 June, the situation remains violent and unstable. At least 50 people have been killed since March, and targeted violence has resulted in thousands being...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that, on 4 June 2008, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia, issued its judgement on appeals lodged on behalf of the five Cuban citizens known as the Miami Five, who were originally convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. The Circuit Court concluded that the appellants' arguments, which centred on the suppression of...

Written Answers — Departmental Applications: Departmental Applications (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The person to whom the Deputy is referring has applied to my Department for a Certificat de Coutume — a document indicating that she is free to marry as a matter of Irish law. These certificates are not required by Irish law, but are required by the authorities in certain other countries. Certificates are issued as a service to Irish citizens wishing to marry in those countries, where the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which manages the Irish Aid programme, is decentralising to Limerick. This is scheduled to be completed in the autumn and involves the relocation to Limerick of 138 posts. Since May 2007, 58 staff have already decentralised and are based in temporary offices in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: There were a number of public relation initiatives undertaken by my Department in 2007. The contracts in question arose in very specific circumstances where the Department was required to carry out information and awareness-raising campaigns. As part of the promotion of the public awareness and understanding of the work of the expanding Irish Aid programme, a number of public relation...

Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government strongly supported the Lisbon treaty as an agreement that would allow the European Union to work more effectively in the interests of the member states, including Ireland. In this we were joined by a number of political parties and representative groups, and we are very grateful for their support. We are deeply disappointed with the outcome of the referendum. The campaign...