Results 6,401-6,420 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Higgins's point. Such consensus is difficult for the Chair to contemplate and deal with.

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department maintains a network of 75 overseas missions - 57 embassies, seven multilateral missions and 11 consulates general and other offices. It also maintains offices in Armagh and Belfast. Heads of mission carry different titles, including ambassador, permanent representative and consul general. There are currently 61 officials with the rank of ambassador, including a number serving...

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: In terms of Kenya, there are no immediate plans, and we are examining the entire configuration of Irish embassies at the moment, reviewing our strengths and weaknesses, with a view to establishing our future strategy and where we should be represented, within existing resources, given the economic climate. Recently we announced the establishment of an embassy in Abu Dhabi, for example, as...

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: That would frighten me even more. Present company excluded of course, Deputy Higgins would make a fine ambassador and a fine exponent of foreign policy. I am not comparing one system with another. The American system is much different from ours and has been since its inception, but then it is a different type of jurisdiction and can bring different types of resources into play when a...

Written Answers — Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Last December the European Council agreed to a comprehensive package of measures to respond to the Irish people's concerns as outlined by the Taoiseach. Specifically, the European Council agreed that, provided the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, each Member State will continue to have the right to nominate a Commissioner. It also agreed that the necessary legal guarantees will be given...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 27, 29, 54 and 139 together. The Minister deplores the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and esteemed Nobel Peace laureate, her imprisonment in the notorious Insein Prison in Rangoon and the laying of charges and institution of court proceedings against her. In a statement on 14 May, the Minister pointed...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the outset, I would like to confirm that the Department is in ongoing contact with the family of the person mentioned by the Deputy and is liaising with them on all aspects of the case. The Department was represented at the funeral of the deceased. As the Deputy will be aware, after hearing of the death of this Irish citizen, Minister Martin T.D. immediately instructed the Irish Embassy...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 41 and 60 together. The situation of members of the minority Baha'i faith in Iran has long been a matter of serious concern to the Government and to members of the Oireachtas. In recent years, there has been a progressive increase in harassment of individual Baha'is, and worrying indications that these are part of a concerted effort by the Iranian...

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

Micheál Martin: I would direct the Deputy to the Minister's reply on this matter on 12 May. In that reply, the Minister noted that the events which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire more than ninety years ago continue to be interpreted very differently in Turkey and Armenia. However, the Minister also emphasised that last month's announcement of a roadmap...

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has welcomed the Executive Order issued by President Obama on 22 January announcing that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close within one year. The Minister had a useful discussion with Secretary of State Clinton on the issue when they met over the St Patrick's Day period. At that meeting, he reiterated that we had long called for...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 33 together. Ireland has a relatively small Diplomatic Service, operating on limited resources. While the opening of resident diplomatic missions abroad, including in Kenya, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, only be undertaken having regard to clear...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 58 and 148 together. As stated in response to the Priority Question today, I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka and in particular about the grave humanitarian crisis taking place there. I fully endorse the conclusions of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) held on 18 May 2009, which stated that "the EU … is...

Written Answers — Good Friday Agreement: Good Friday Agreement (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Arising from the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, six North-South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland were established. These play a significant role in taking forward North-South co-operation on the island. The North-South Bodies are jointly funded by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Funding from each jurisdiction is provided on an agreed proportionate basis having...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 143 together. There is no doubt that the current volume of aid passing into Gaza is insufficient. The UN continues to report on shortages of basic humanitarian supplies and the number of daily truckloads of goods permitted into Gaza actually declined in April by 20%. While Israel is now allowing in some previously blocked items, such as paper for...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: My reply to Questions Nos. 1 and 4 have set out the importance I attach to making every effort to support and encourage the Middle East Peace Process. I have not yet had any contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who in his short period since taking office has been constructing a budget and carrying out a comprehensive review of policy on the peace process. However, we remain, of course, in...

Written Answers — Territorial Waters: Territorial Waters (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. Under that convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km) in breadth regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far, subject only to the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: It was with regret that I recently informed the Right Honourable, Rhodri Morgan A.M., First Minister of Wales, of the decision to close our Consulate General in Cardiff. While the closing of the office will means that we no longer have a full time representative based in Wales, I am determined that this necessary but regrettable action will not adversely affect Ireland's close relations with...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe in February was far from being a solution to Zimbabwe's problems, but was nonetheless a sign of some limited progress in the political process. Three months on, there have been some improvements in the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe, notably in curbing hyperinflation and adopting the South African rand as the reference currency. However,...

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

Micheál Martin: I understand that France has taken an Algerian individual detained in Guantanamo who was cleared for release and who has family connections in France. The acceptance of detainees is a matter for decision by individual Member States. The Taoiseach has indicated that Ireland is willing to be helpful to the US on this issue. This position was confirmed at a recent meeting between Irish and US...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I visited Cuba from 17 -19 February 2009 on what was the first working visit by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Cuba is undergoing a major transformation, and its relations with the EU have entered a new phase. I availed of this new context to discuss a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including human rights. I held consultations with the then Foreign Minister,...