Results 6,041-6,060 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I wish to share my time with the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Seán Haughey.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Since credit markets around the world seized up last August, we have seen unprecedented turmoil in financial markets, rising unemployment and increased economic uncertainty. In Europe, in the Americas, in Asia, economic growth has stalled or is in decline. Referring to lay-offs by multinational firms around the world, a British newspaper yesterday carried the headline "More woe as 72,500...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will appreciate, the annual cost of printing reports has significantly reduced in recent years as, in many instances, reports are no longer published in hard copy but, instead, are placed on the Department's website. This is the case with our Department's Annual Report. In cases where we are required to publish hard copies of reports, the number of copies printed is...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (28 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the names, positions and cost of the non-established staff appointed by me in 2007 post election and 2008. Minister Micheál Martin, T.D. Name Responsibility Remuneration Ms. Deirdre Gillane Special Advisor Principal Officer standard scale: €86,168 – €100,191 Mr. Christy Mannion Special Advisor Principal Officer standard scale: €86,168 –...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (29 Jan 2009)

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 — State Visits: State Visits (29 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: With a view to developing Ireland's relationship with Cuba at this time of transition, and to assist me in contributing to the development of policy at EU level, I am planning to visit Cuba next month. While there, I expect to meet with Foreign Minister Pérez Roque. I would see this as an important step in developing dialogue between Ireland and Cuba. The European Union's 1996 Common...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (29 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's merchandise trade with Cuba was worth €0.93million in 2007, with exports valued at €608,000 and imports at €325,000. In the first half of 2008 trade with Cuba totalled €0.36 million, with exports valued at €170,000 and imports at €190,000. I will be visiting Cuba in February and will have an opportunity to explore if there are opportunities to further develop economic...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the family of the person mentioned by the Deputy. I can assure the Deputy that our Embassy in Ankara and the Consular Division in Dublin provided extensive consular assistance to the family involved. Embassy staff were available at all times to support the family concerned by telephone from their arrival...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs does not receive visa application requests from Irish citizens wishing to travel to America, Australia or Canada. Applications are made directly to the immigration authorities of the three countries concerned.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned by the case of Ms. Jestina Mukoko and her two colleagues, who were abducted from their homes in early December, and whose whereabouts remained unknown for some weeks until they were located in police custody on Christmas Eve. Those abducted remain in custody, and I am very disturbed by allegations that they have been tortured. Furthermore, the refusal of prison...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: As I stated in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 27 January, I am deeply concerned by the escalation in fighting which has taken place in recent months in the northern part of Sri Lanka and by the terrible effects it is having on the local population. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed that, following intensified fighting between the Sri Lankan security...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government is strongly committed to trying to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States. President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other senior members of the new Administration have for some time been strong supporters of comprehensive immigration reform. Since the new year, there have also been helpful public indications that Senate Majority Leader,...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: In the time available it is not possible to collate all the costs, direct and indirect, associated with the implementation of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 since its introduction. For instance, my Department's expenditure on printing of material in Irish cannot be readily distinguished from overall costs on printing generally. The following table sets out the translation...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (3 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is clear that the conflict in Gaza has been a profound tragedy for both the people of the territory and for the wider peace process. The bare statistics of the war in Gaza are grim: more than 1300 people have been killed, thousands of others wounded, and much of Gaza left in ruins. Initial estimates indicate that the rebuilding process could cost in excess of $2 billion and take three to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: There have been twenty eight press conferences or policy launches held in my Department since the beginning of 2007. Details of these events, including any costs incurred, are presented in tabular form. Most of the events were press conferences. These usually take place at my Department's headquarters or, on occasion, at the Government Press Centre in Government Buildings. There are...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish: Undocumented Irish (5 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. The Government is strongly committed to trying to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States. President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other senior members of the new Administration have for some time been strong supporters of comprehensive immigration reform. Since the new year, there have also been helpful...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (5 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: In the period 2007 to 2009 to date, no art works, paintings or sculptures were lost or stolen from my Department. In the same period, one encrypted USB memory stick and six mobile phones were reported as lost. In addition, five mobile phones and two Department owned laptops, both of which were encrypted, were reported as stolen. Appropriate follow-up action was taken in each case. Lost or...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Following a competitive tender process, the Department currently has contracts with two Dublin taxi firms. Both companies fully comply with the Taxi Regulator guidelines. The amounts expended by this Department on official taxi fares for the period 2007 and 2008 are outlined in tabular form. Year Firm 1 Firm 2 Total â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ 2007 67,958 8,878 76,836 2008 25,496 10,069 35,565...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Following a competitive tender process, the Department currently has contracts with two Dublin taxi firms. Both companies fully comply with the Taxi Regulator guidelines. The amounts expended by this Department on official taxi fares with these firms for the years 2007 and 2008 are outlined below in tabular form. 2007 Firm 1 Firm 2 Total â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Total 119,350 24,306 143,656 ...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: External storage is utilized by the Department of Foreign Affairs as required for business purposes. The stored materials comprise stockpiles of passport application forms and personal effects and property of officers serving at diplomatic missions abroad. In exceptional circumstances, such as renovation of premises, storage will also be used temporarily to keep items that may hinder or delay...