Results 5,961-5,980 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe remains dire. The country effectively has not been governed since March 2008 and after years of mismanagement and neglect, its infrastructure appears to be in terminal collapse. Inflation continues unabated and those in power have found no better response than to print ever larger bank notes, the most recent of which was a 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollar note, which...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Timmins's concern and anger at the situation in Zimbabwe. We have conveyed our concerns directly to the governments of key partner countries in Africa and, most recently, in December, the Irish ambassador to Zimbabwe, who is based in Pretoria, communicated Ireland's strong views to the Zimbabwean ambassador there. I have made my views personally known to the South...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is the point.

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: There is a real humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and the last thing we want to do is take action or initiatives that would exacerbate the suffering of ordinary people. Therefore, that is not a route we will go down. Our trade with Zimbabwe is minuscule and the economy has collapsed. As I mentioned, the cholera outbreak provides an opportunity and an avenue through which stronger...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together. The war in Gaza, arising from the launch of Operation Cast Lead by Israel on 27 December 2008, was a profound tragedy for the people of Gaza and for the region. I welcome that the unilateral ceasefires announced by Israel and Hamas on 18 January continue to hold. The costs of the war have been stark — 1,300 Palestinian dead and over...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the EU meeting, I made it clear to my colleagues that, as far as I was concerned, the EU has a duty to international law. It must also be consistent, since we cannot set criteria and standards for other countries and condemn and criticise them at will while remaining mute in respect of other conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: On the other hand, the EU condemned the attack on UNRWA unequivocally in its statement and conclusions. I detected a shift at the meeting. As the Deputy knows well, there are different perspectives in Europe because countries have different approaches to this issue historically.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Our Sunday meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Norway and Turkey were particularly interesting and useful in terms of moving matters forward a little, starting with a durable truce and ceasefire. Currently, there are two unilateral ceasefires, but a sustained period of quiet is necessary, which would facilitate the opening of the crossings....

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: We will meet the Secretary of State in due course. Indeed, we have written to congratulate her on her appointment and to offer any assistance. I have also written to George Mitchell to congratulate him on his appointment and to offer any assistance or advice that Ireland can give, considering our history of conflict resolution and the noble role that he played in assisting the peace...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: When I spoke to Mr. John Ging of UNRWA on the morning after the attack on his headquarters, he told me about something that smelled and looked like white phosphorus. He gave me the co-ordinates and so on. In my opinion, the UN is the ideal vehicle to instigate an investigation.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Mr. Ban Ki-moon has changed his position slightly from that as articulated earlier by the Deputy in that in the immediate aftermath of the event, he condemned it and asked that people be taken into account. That position appears to have been modified somewhat. In my view, his position is as articulated in the response to the parliamentary question. I believe the UN is the vehicle through...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: On the crossings, it was also agreed yesterday that it is unacceptable that they are not open as this is hampering humanitarian aid efforts.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Egyptian and Palestinian Foreign Ministers told us that only 153 of the 800 trucks dispatched daily are getting through. There is increasing frustration among EU member states that despite the fact that the ceasefire was announced approximately ten days ago, the crossings are not yet open to facilitate access to humanitarian aid. Different countries are having different experiences in...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am not saying Northern Ireland is the same as the Middle East. I never said that. We have always been careful to say that no one conflict situation is directly comparable to another. However, there are similarities in terms of peace building generally and in terms of the principles of resolving conflicts, which requires movement and the development of mutual respect on all sides before a...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, on 22 January, President Obama signed four Executive Orders concerning the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and related matters. I warmly welcome this decisive and immediate move by the President. As I said in my immediate reaction to the news, it represents an historic new beginning in efforts to uphold and promote human rights and will be...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The issue was discussed formally over lunch yesterday at the EU Council Meeting. Considerable debate on the issue took place for quite a long time. Deputy Breen is correct that the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Luis Amado, circulated correspondence on the matter to all member states requesting that the issue be discussed. The issue is not one of whether a country takes one detainee or a...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: No, I did not say that. I said in my reply that the decision is ultimately one for each member state.

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: On the Deputy's key point, each member state has the right to make its own decision in respect of detainees. Britain has already taken 12 detainees, all British citizens, from Guantanamo and will shortly take in two more. The Belgians took in two detainees in 2006. As regards the particular detainee referred to, informal discussions took place last year with the individual's lawyer.

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: My colleagues in the Green Party have also raised the case with me. We are examining the matter. It was agreed at yesterday's meeting that more detailed work was required before people would take unilateral action. It must be pointed out that President Obama has not, as yet, requested anything of us. Undoubtedly, there will be further discussions on the matter. President Obama said it...

EU Presidency. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Under an over-arching motto of "Europe Without Barriers," the Czech Presidency will focus on the economy, energy and the European Union in the world. Under the external relations umbrella, the Czech Presidency has identified three key priorities: the eastern partnership, transatlantic relations and Western Balkans-enlargement. The eastern partnership, which is part of the European...