Results 5,701-5,720 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Peter Power, led the Irish delegation to the Accra high level forum on aid effectiveness in Accra, Ghana in September and was able to make a meaningful contribution to the discussions on the Accra agenda for action. The high level forum has been effective in drawing renewed attention to the importance of...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are in tune with and support the Accra agenda. The Deputy's point is well made. For some time there was a lack of co-ordination between donor countries and we put too much stress on recipient countries in terms of their governmental capacity to absorb and spend aid. Now, different countries and donors take a lead in respect of countries in certain areas, for example, in Uganda in terms...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The preponderance of our aid goes to the poorest of the poor.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The bulk of our aid goes to the poorest, but not all of it. It is a broad spectrum and there are different levels of support, but the preponderance goes to the poorest of the poor, particularly in Africa. We review the situation regularly and search for better value for money, better outcomes and optimal effectiveness in our aid programme. I take on board the points made by the Deputy and...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Since 2004, considerable efforts have been made through the EU's European neighbourhood policy, ENP, to offer our neighbours to the east a privileged relationship. This relationship is intended to build on a common commitment to democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development. Progress has been made in these areas, although...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am not sure the disastrous events to which Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred could be accurately described as transitions to a market economy.

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy can describe these events however he likes but they did not give rise to a fully transparent market. Much of the asset privatisation which took place following the fall of the Soviet empire was unacceptable. The process gave rise to some difficult questions. Fundamentally, the EU's engagement with our eastern partners is informed by a genuine commitment to human rights, systems...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: He certainly has. Deputy Timmins asked whether we are being lobbied.

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will deal with Kosovo in reply to Deputy Michael D. Higgins's question. In regard to perspectives on our decision on the Lisbon treaty, engagement on that issue has not been significant. I suspect that the challenges with which the countries concerned must contend have pushed the treaty down their list of priorities. At present, the only pressing country in terms of membership...

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: In regard to whether we were lobbied, the answer is "No". When I met the Minister, Mr. Lavrov, he was disposed to present the Russian perspective on the Georgian conflict. Our position is regarded as clear because we issued statements condemning Russian actions in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and its recognition of the two regions as independent states. He understood our position.

European Neighbourhood Policy. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: We believe that an international inquiry should be held. Perhaps there was an initial rush to judgment. Without taking a partisan view, I recognise the objective need for an international inquiry. Certain issues arise in respect of Kosovo but, as I have argued previously, there are differences. The exercise of self-determination does not normally allow for changes to frontiers outside of...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to the vital work being undertaken by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, in support of Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. UNRWA provides basic services to more than 4.6 million Palestinians and operates essential programmes in areas such as education and health care, relief and social services,...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: During my visit to the Middle East in July, I met representatives of UNRWA and was impressed by their work and commitment. We intend to continue our support for the agency.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Until there is a political settlement, the refugee problem will persist. I have had discussions with negotiators on both sides. There is acknowledgement that the refugee question is fundamental to any ultimate political resolution and the two state solution. As long as we do not have political resolution, we will need to provide comprehensive support via UNWRA to Palestinian refugees...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I agree. I have met with Mr. Ging and he has articulated those points to me. The most basic supplies necessary for education are denied. I raised those points with the Israeli Foreign Minister at the time, Ms Livni, who undertook to investigate this to ensure it would not happen. Others in UNWRA made the point that ultimately the policy in Gaza is fuelling fundamentalism more than...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The programme for Government contains a commitment to the expansion of the overseas aid programme. We have set a target of spending 0.7% of gross national product, GNP, on official development assistance, ODA, by 2012. It is estimated that Ireland's spending on ODA for 2008 will reach 0.54% of GNP. In 2009, the total allocation for ODA amounts to €891 million. The largest element of...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I share the concern of the sub-committee and Deputy Deasy. We will push strongly for the maintenance of the commitment to 2015 in an EU context and to 2012 in our context. Nonetheless, pressures are coming on and it is important to maintain momentum. In the context of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Brown took a significant initiative in terms of instigating a summit of the UN on...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point, which refers to what Deputy Deasy said. I am sure Deputy Higgins agrees that there is a role for Ireland to probe the issue more at EU level. We will certainly do so.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The budget for Irish Aid is substantial, at over €800 million. One can argue a point in terms of an annual report or the White Paper, but we need to disseminate a message in this respect across the country.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are all birds of passage here. What will sustain this country's ongoing and long-term commitment to Africa and to the poorest of the poor is the generation of sufficient awareness of what we are doing domestically to inform subsequent public policy to ensure our commitment in that respect remains at the core as one of our primary objectives. I saw the annual report and I thought it was a...