Results 6,281-6,300 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: My point was that it is a matter for both parliaments. Let us not presume that we, the governments, can dictate to parliaments. Congress is conscious of its role as a Legislature independent of the US Executive. Likewise, the European Parliament has increased its status as a legislature, including its co-decision responsibilities with the Council. There is a need for contacts at that...

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The key issue is the quality of those engagements and their outcomes. It is not just a matter of quantity and frequency of meetings. It is a matter of the meetings' substance and outputs.

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: For the information of the House and as the Deputy is probably aware, the Government initiated and concluded a significant report on the strategic relationship between Ireland and the US. The Taoiseach launched it during St. Patrick's week, thereby highlighting the strategic relationship between Ireland and the US while setting it in an EU context. We have been clear in our strong support...

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We are very proactive.

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: There has been ongoing and frequent contact between the EU and the US Administration since the election of President Obama, although it has undoubtedly been motivated by the significant global economic meltdown.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland enjoys good diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority through our Embassy in Tel Aviv, representative office in Ramallah and their respective missions in Dublin. The representative office in Ramallah is accredited to the Palestinian Authority, including in respect of Gaza. The EU likewise engages directly with the Government of Israel and with the...

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Czech Presidency's intended summit is not likely to go ahead. Our position at the December Council meeting was clear. We wrote to the Presidency and stated that were there to be any upgrade or any summit with Israel, there would need to be a summit with the Palestinian Authority. The Presidency was going down another route. Ireland's position has always been consistent in that we have...

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: -----the two-state solution, would be a significant carrot that rewarded such a stance. I also refer to the Israeli Foreign Minister's recent comments that Israel no longer is bound to the Annapolis process. The Government does not wish to be awkward in this regard and wishes to creates space to allow momentum develop for peace because it believes the ultimate solution is a two-state...

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I draw genuine hope and solace from President Obama's decision to give priority to this issue and from his appointment of a man of George Mitchell's calibre to engage in the region.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Members also should recall that in the past, Mr. Netanyahu has proved capable of reaching pragmatic agreements. On the face of it, given all the rhetoric and articulation of ideas, one does not draw hope from some of the rhetoric that has been articulated. However, we have been through this in Ireland in respect of our peace process and behind that, perhaps movement can take place. In the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 13 and 66 together. The humanitarian situation across the enormous expanse of Sudan continues to be tragic and complex. Although rich with oil, Sudan is placed 146th out of 179 on the UN's human development index. Despite recent talks between the Sudanese Government and rebel groups, hostilities on the ground in Darfur continue. As a result of the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I understand fully the Deputy's remarks underlying the question he has put and the dilemma he has highlighted. One would hope the choice was not so stark. I agree with the clear view of the international community and the European Union that one cannot pull back from the decision of the court or indeed pressurise the court to rescind or reverse its decision. Therefore, the alternative is...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Higgins's point on the African Union. In the context of Zimbabwe there were elements of this, where the situation was allowed to continue in an unacceptable way and the regional power, the African Union, did not do enough to ensure the right outcome. It did not intervene effectively in that situation. The outcome was appalling as a result. We have urged all parties to engage...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We have discussed it, and it will be discussed at the next GAERC meeting. I am not in disagreement with the points articulated by the Deputies. The international community is endeavouring to put as much pressure as possible on the Sudanese Government to move on the situation. We have applied a range of UN sanctions, including an arms embargo, a travel ban and an asset freeze on certain...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: There have been a number of allegations by NGOs relating to the supply of cluster munitions to the Government of Sri Lanka in the conflict with the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam, LTTE. In February this year, press reports cited UN sources in Sri Lanka in reporting that cluster munitions were used in an attack on a hospital in which 52 people were killed. However, the UN Office for the...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Higgins on the horrific nature of the conflict in Sri Lanka. We brought that to the attention of the Sri Lankan Government. I spoke to the ambassador, who is based in London, in Dublin and we conveyed our views on the undesirable nature of a purely military solution to this situation. Equally, the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam and their methodologies are to be...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The problem is that in conflict zones claims are made and propaganda is used. Establishing the truth can be a slow process. We must establish the truth and, in the spirit of the convention, along with the EU we will seek to establish the truth of the use of cluster munitions and to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the civilian population. Some €12 million was allocated...

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 39 together. The conflict in Gaza has had devastating humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. It should also be recalled that, even prior to the recent conflict, Gaza was experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis due to the economic blockade by Israel and the effective isolation of the territory from the outside world. At the...

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have already indicated that it is not the core programme of Irish Aid to support such a movement. In essence, it seems the Free Gaza Movement is an advocacy group that engages in very high-profile events such as the flotillas identified by the Deputy. The preponderance of our aid goes through the Palestinian Authority, with aid supporting its governance functions in the West Bank and Gaza....

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I did not pick up the Deputy's first question.