Results 5,641-5,660 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like again to express my deepest sympathy to the family concerned. My Department became aware of the case mentioned by the Deputy in December 2006 and considerable consular assistance was provided, including assistance in the repatriation of the remains of the deceased. The authorities in Botswana conducted enquiries into the death of the deceased, following which a...

Seanad: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government welcomes the debate. The motion has been tabled by Senator Mary White, who has been a strong advocate of the rights of Irish prisoners overseas. The debate relates to the Flood report. In 2005, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, asked former Minister of State, Mr. Chris Flood, to undertake the study. That request arose out of a commitment in the...

Seanad: Postgraduate Medical Training (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am your man. I thought the Adjournment matter would be about the Lisbon treaty.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the names and remuneration of my Special Advisors in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Both staff are contracted under terms and conditions of employment set by the Minister for Finance and are employed on a full-time basis. Their appointments will terminate no later than the date on which I cease to hold my office as Minister. Name Position Remuneration...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The estimated costs to my Department of incremental pay increases during 2008 and 2009 are as follows: Year Estimated Cost â'¬ 2008 1,073,000 2009 1,108,000 These estimated figures are based on the current number of staff employed in my Department and are derived using the midpoints of the salary scales for each grade of officer. They also take into account increases due in each...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The estimated costs to my Department of pay increases due under the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement are as follows: Year Cost â'¬ 2008 (from 1 September) 712,000 2009 3,324,000 The 2009 figure includes the full-year cost of the 2.5% increase payable from September 2008 and the cost for four months of the 3.5% increase that falls due in September 2009.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: President Sarkozy mentioned the Deputy's e-mail.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Snodaigh's party would recognise that themselves.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Council agreed that a financial crisis cell would be established, which would provide an early warning and information exchange mechanism for EU member states to relay information to the President of the Commission, the European Central Bank and the euro group of countries. The details and procedures for the cell are to be finalised by ECOFIN. It is desired by all member states in order...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is a statement of principles. With regard to Pat Cox, there are 27 member states and the reflection group is composed of 12 of them. The majority of member states do not have a member of the group. Pat Cox's name was suggested about ten months ago, but it seems that the former Spanish Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzales, who is chairing the group, went more for academics and former...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Council has established an independent reflection group to help the European Union to anticipate and meet the international challenges in the period 2020 to 2030. Basically, it is looking at the key issues and developments which the Union is likely to face, analysing those, strengthening and modernising the European model of economic success and social responsibility, enhancing the...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I do not. That is obviously a matter for the group itself to deal with, in consultation with the Council. The Deputy asked about the impact of the Lisbon vote. On the economic front, as a former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I am well aware that one of the key marketing ploys of Ireland has been to present the country as an English-speaking member of the eurozone and a...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: That will not be said by anybody immediately but it is something that people will feel. From the financial perspective of agriculture and the health check on the Common Agricultural Policy, one always wants to negotiate from a position of strength, as a country that is at the heart of Europe. I have no doubt that, over time, that position and capacity to negotiate from strength will be weakened.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is a significant consequence of our decision. We can argue about it and the Deputy may decide that he does not agree, but that is the reality to me. There are other issues as well, but I have responded to the question the Deputy posed. As regards Deputy Creighton's point on the second referendum, we have not confirmed with anybody in terms of a decision that the Government has taken...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Contrary to what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, our overall strategic objective is to act in the best interests of the Irish people. The Oireachtas and the public at large need to reflect on it and ask what is in the best interests of future generations. Is it in their interests to be on the margins of Europe in terms of influence and engagement? Or is in their best interests to be at the heart...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will make two points on that matter which has been referred to by a number of people. First, the Commission is the body that decides on compliance with competition and state-aid law. I am grateful to Commissioner Neelie Kroes who worked with our Minister for Finance and the Government generally to confirm that we were in compliance with that. Every country makes inputs in terms of the...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The European Council and the euro group took a common position.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: We did not have to force them into it at all. That is over the top.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: By and large, the normal, routine conduct of monetary policy within the EU is the preserve of the central bank and finance ministers. President Sarkozy initiated an important meeting of the euro group——

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——to deal with the global financial crisis, which is an exceptional and extraordinary situation. Up to then, the European Central Bank played a significant role in ensuring continuing liquidity for banks across Europe, and particularly for the Irish banks. Deputy Timmins mentioned Iceland and I respectfully suggest that we could have been in that space if it were not for the European...