Results 6,341-6,360 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: According to reports available to me, Sulim Yamadayev was killed by a group of men in a parking lot outside his apartment in Dubai on 28 March 2009. I understand that Mr Yamadayev was for several years a military commander in Chechnya and served under Russian federal command, before being relieved of his duties late last year. On April 5, the Dubai police identified Adam Delimkhanov, a...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Our ongoing dialogue with our fellow EU members, including those that joined in 2004, is conducted at a number of levels. I have regular bilateral discussions with my EU Ministerial counterparts as do my colleagues in government. Our Embassies in EU capitals undertake intensive contacts with their host administrations in support of Irish interests and report on relevant developments in those...

Written Answers — Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Developments in Madagascar over the past number of months are a matter of concern. The deposition by force on 17 March of Marc Ravalomanana, the democratically-elected President was clearly unconstitutional, and the regime led by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina lacks democratic legitimacy. The suspension of parliament by the self-proclaimed transitional administration on 20 March is a...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. At its meeting last December, the European Council promised to address the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon by way of legal guarantees and other assurances. On the basis of its full satisfaction with the outcome of this work, which is due to be finalised by mid-2009, the Government committed itself to seeking...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I visited New York and Washington from 15 to 18 March. On St. Patrick's Day, I accompanied the Taoiseach at his meeting with President Obama, and at other engagements. The discussions with the President covered a wide range of priority issues for Ireland and the United States. President Obama was most generous with his time and hospitality during the visit, hosting the traditional Shamrock...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I strongly condemn the recent launch of an experimental communications satellite conducted by North Korea in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1718. This was a provocative act, undertaken in defiance of warnings from the international community, including those made by our then Ambassador to North Korea during a visit to the country in February. I am also deeply concerned by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs operates a limited system for the use of corporate credit cards for official expenditure. There are currently 10 official credit cards issued by the Department in Ireland. A list of office holders issued with these official credit cards; details of credit cards which are no longer in use and the credit limits on the cards are set out in the following table....

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department is fully committed to promoting and supporting the employment of people with disabilities, as set out in Part 5 of the Disability Act (2005). The Disability Act also obliges public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of their staff being employees with disabilities. My Department has met, and exceeded, this 3% target. Given the current restrictions on the recruitment of staff...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to express again my deepest sympathy to the family of the Irish citizen who lost his life in such tragic circumstances in Bolivia. My Department are in ongoing contact with the family and have liaised with them on securing the release and repatriation of his remains. I understand that...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Tackling human rights abuses, genocide, ethnic cleansing and terrorism in Africa are among the most important tasks facing the international community in the 21st century. These problems have many causes and manifestations, but poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity have all played a significant role. The risk of such abuses is greatest where political, economic and administrative...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army (excluding Reserves) and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. Ireland is currently contributing 780 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions...

Written Answers — Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 15 of today. As the Deputy will be aware, for the Treaty of Lisbon to enter into force, it must be ratified by all Member States. Ireland is currently one of four Member States that has not done so as yet. The others are the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Following the agreement of our EU partners to offer Ireland legal guarantees...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have regular discussions with my colleagues, particularly in an EU context but also bilaterally and at UN fora, on issues relating to international peace and security. The monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council provide regular opportunities in which to consider crises which may arise and the response of the European Union and the wider international...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The most recent ministerial meeting held in the framework of the current round of WTO negotiations ended inconclusively in Geneva on 29 July 2008, although progress was achieved on many of the issues covered by the negotiations. In the end, the breakdown came as a result of disagreement, primarily between the United States and India, on a special safeguard mechanism (SSM) for agricultural...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (28 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department is in ongoing contact with the family of the Irish citizen who lost his life in such tragic circumstances in Bolivia. We have liaised with them in relation to securing the release and repatriation of his remains to Ireland and we are continuing to liaise with them on all aspects of his case. As the Deputy will be aware, after...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (28 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office has no record of an application from the person in question. An officer from my Department has been in touch with her to offer assistance with the urgent processing of a new application should this be required.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: In 2007 Dáil Éireann passed the European Communities Bill 2006 which was subsequently enacted as the European Communities Act 2007. This Act was enacted to take account of two landmark Supreme Court judgments (Browne v AG and Kennedy v AG) which required changes to be made in the way Ireland transposes EU measures into domestic law. While the Act related to the European Union, it did not...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am concerned about a number of human rights issues in Pakistan, including the blasphemy laws. The blasphemy laws are designed to punish those judged to have engaged in derogatory behaviour towards Islam, such as insults to the Prophet Mohammed and the Qu'ran. As implemented, the laws can serve to interfere with the right of individuals to practise their religion freely and curtail freedom...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The current authorised number of staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs is 1578. The following table sets out the number of staff in my Department who are in receipt of long service increments (LSIs), along with the associated cost. Number of staff Total annual cost 241 €633,400 A first long service increment (LSI 1) may be paid after three years' satisfactory service at the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy has previously been informed, Ireland is fully supportive of efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Colombia. The Government of Colombia has repeatedly stated its determination to bring an end to violence within the framework of the Justice and Peace Law, passed in 2005, which provides an overall legal framework for the demobilisation, disarmament and...