Results 5,321-5,340 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: One must be careful in the immediate aftermath of a referendum which produced a disappointing decision to make comments on the rules of the game, so to speak. People may be of the opinion that one was complaining on the basis that one lost and therefore wished to change the rules. On the other hand, I accept the validity of much of what the Deputy has said. If there were to be a referendum...

Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The independent Referendum Commission did a good job but the expectations are too high within the timeframe constraints. I thought the booklet, which was issued to every household, was straightforward and simple. People may have different views on the advertisements but everyone has views on every type of advertisement. People argue about sports and everything else, and such analysis is...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I met the South African ambassador this morning in Dublin at the unveiling of a plaque in Henry Street commemorating the stand taken by Dunnes Stores workers against apartheid more than 20 years ago. In the near future, I also intend to have a more formal meeting with all seven African ambassadors resident in Ireland. This will provide us with an opportunity to discuss key current African...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I did.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I assure the Deputy that the South African Government and authorities are under no illusion about the strong views in Ireland, as recently articulated in special statements in the House. After that debate, in which the Deputy participated, we again contacted the Irish ambassador in South Africa to convey directly to the South African authorities our strong views on this matter. The...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I had a brief discussion with the ambassador this morning.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The import of the communication to which I referred was to press the South African authorities to influence the Zimbabwean Government to facilitate fair and free elections and to have a stronger influence on the events unfolding in that country. I am conscious this is the subject matter of the following question.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be shocking and deeply disturbing. At least 50 people have been killed since March and targeted violence has resulted in thousands being displaced, rendering it impossible for them to vote. Opposition Movement for Democratic Change activists, including MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, have repeatedly been arrested and detained. Political meetings have...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am in broad agreement with the Deputy. The Government would welcome further initiatives to address this issue in the United Nations framework. I was taken by an article written by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, which appeared in today's edition of the Financial Times. In it, Mr. Annan stated that the victor of an unfair vote must be under no illusions and will not have the...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——that is where we must head.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I understand the Deputy's point. It is a fundamental issue——

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——that demands careful consideration. Our strategy to date has been to work with our southern African region partners as the people who ultimately have the strongest influence and access. We believe that has yielded some results. We would accept that it has not done enough and that the progress has not been of a degree or nature that we would find acceptable here. Our judgment call at...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The breaking of diplomatic relations with Chad by Sudan followed an attack on 11 May by rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM, on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The Sudanese government accused Chad of backing the JEM rebels. The UN Mission in Chad, MINURCAT, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1778 and its mandate is to help create the security...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am glad the Deputy asked this question because it might be opportune to clarify the situation. The Irish contingent with UNFOR is performing an outstanding humanitarian role. I met Javier Solana on Tuesday at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. He has been to Chad and he came over to me to thank me and to pay warm tribute to the professionalism of Irish soldiers and the role they are...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I said, it is not only to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid but also to protect UN personnel. I await the return of the Minister for Defence who will have first-hand knowledge, having been to Chad, and who will be able to give us the most up-to-date position. The Deputy hypothesised about a potential deterioration of the situation and a heightening of tensions which could lead...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 81 together. The Government strongly shares the widespread international concern about the nature of Iran's nuclear programme. We fully support the continuing efforts of the EU and its international partners to achieve a diplomatic solution. The International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report on Iran's nuclear programme was issued on 26 May, as...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The IAEA, to which Deputy Higgins referred, is not satisfied that Iran has answered all remaining questions about its activities and it reported that several significant questions remain. These include questions relating to Iran's known uranium enrichment activities, other actual or possible undeclared activities and to specific evidence of activities relating to weaponisation. The agency...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The engagement must be credible. The three plus three approach, notwithstanding Deputy Higgins's reservations, offers potential. The fact that all six groups signed the communication to Iran is significant and is probably more significant than the general rhetoric on this issue.

World Trade Negotiations. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government's approach to the WTO negotiations remains unchanged following the Lisbon treaty ratification.

World Trade Negotiations. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: A Freudian slip, it is a word that is all over.