Results 5,581-5,600 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

European Council Meetings. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Yes. Regarding the fear of conscription, independent research showed that 40% of the Irish people believed that the Lisbon treaty meant conscription to a European army, although I am not saying they all voted based on this basis. I met one couple with two children at the polling station and they asked me if the children would be conscripted. I am not making that up, it happened.

European Council Meetings. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am not saying it was included in literature on the treaty but the research showed that 40% of the Irish people believed that Lisbon meant conscription to a European army.

European Council Meetings. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: We must go behind it and ask why people believe that. What leads people to have that sense? Iran is not satisfying all of the transparency requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Dr. ElBaradei. We have put this to the Iranians and there is ongoing engagement.

European Council Meetings. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The EU would love to have the Lisbon issue resolved and go ahead with it, but it cannot because of our decision. I was at the parliamentary constitutional committee last Monday and this message came across strongly. Socialists and Christian Democrats wanted Ireland to get it sorted but that is their perspective and we have our perspective as a democratic country.

European Council Meetings. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The banking issue is moving very fast.

Written Answers — Foreign Policy Issues: Foreign Policy Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: President Zardari faces significant political and security challenges. In addition, Pakistan is experiencing severe problems with the economy and serious, endemic, governance issues. As regards Afghanistan, the new President has got off to a promising start. I very much welcome the invitation he extended to President Karzai of Afghanistan to attend his swearing-in ceremony in Islamabad on 9...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 45, 51, 53 and 71 together. The EU has played a very positive role in promoting conflict resolution in Georgia, working closely with all sides while maintaining a cohesive position on issues of substance relating to the conflict. Lessons from the EU's involvement in Georgia can certainly be drawn on for the future. The outstanding role played by the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Oct 2008)

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

Written Answers — Diplomatic Contacts: Diplomatic Contacts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 28 together. On 20 September, the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee "recalled" President Thabo Mbeki as President of South Africa, as a result of comments made by a judge in relation to the prosecution of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma. President Mbeki immediately handed his resignation to the Speaker of Parliament, to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 17, 57 and 160 together. 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...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 36 together. The Government has taken a number of steps to address the outcome of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. At the European Council in June the Taoiseach gave his colleagues his initial assessment and explained that we needed time to analyse the result and to reflect on its full implications. Only then could we turn to devising solutions...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 58 and 155 together. Since the referendum in June I have discussed the outcome and its implications with my counterparts in the Council of Ministers, and with leaders of the European Parliament and the European Commission. The June European Council agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation and that the Irish Government would consult at home...

Written Answers — Emigrant Issues: Emigrant Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government continues to attach a high priority to supporting Irish communities overseas. This commitment is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services in recent years. The needs of the Irish community in Britain, in particular older people and those at risk of social exclusion, are a key priority. Since the publication of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government consistently raises with the British Government ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles. As the Deputy is aware, matters arising from the past are being addressed through a variety of mechanisms, including the Weston Park Inquiries, the ongoing work of the Historical Enquiries Team, the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the work of the Victims...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 39 and 73 together. The situation in Iran, in particular in relation to the nuclear question and to human rights, remains of serious concern. On the nuclear question, Ireland fully supports the twin track approach of the EU3+3 (involving France, Germany, the United Kingdom, together with the US, Russia and China), which offers Iran positive engagement and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Contacts: Diplomatic Contacts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Visits to Ireland by children from the Chernobyl region have, for over 17 years, offered the children the chance for rest and recuperation with Irish families. The continued success of these visits is due to the efforts of the many charities and families who respond generously to the children year after year. In recognition of the valuable work of Chernobyl Children's Project International,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I met with the British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, on 11 September when we had substantive discussions on a wide range of European and international issues, including the Lisbon Treaty, Climate Change, the Millennium Development Goals, Zimbabwe, the Middle East, Iran and the conflict between Georgia and Russia. We also briefly touched on the Northern Ireland situation. With regard to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Issues: Emigrant Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government have progressively and substantially increased the level of funding available for emigrant services in recent years. These increases have enabled the Emigrant Support Programme, administered by the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department, to provide greater financial support to frontline welfare organisations which assist the most vulnerable members of...

Written Answers — International Conventions: International Conventions (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted by consensus by the 107 states that participated at the Dublin Diplomatic Conference hosted by the Government in Croke Park from 19 to 30 May last. The Convention will be opened for signature at a ceremony to be hosted by the Norwegian Government in Oslo on 3 December. As a demonstration of commitment to its early entry into force, the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet. Following the disturbing events there in March, and in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympic Games, the situation remained extremely tense and widespread restrictions remained in place on the local population. Some of those restrictions are gradually being lifted and tourists and other outsiders are being permitted to visit the area. But...