Results 6,661-6,680 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: As Deputies will be aware, and as stated previously in this House on many occasions, most recently on 23 September, the Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Burma and plays an active role in international efforts to bring about positive change there. As I indicated in a statement on 11 August, the arrest, trial and conviction of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the most spurious of...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 753 together. As I have already indicated in response to a number of Parliamentary Questions answered on 16 and 23 September, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was ratified by Ireland on 8 December 1989. The Optional Protocol to this International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR)...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The working holiday agreement which was concluded between the Irish and US governments in September last year became operational in January of this year. This agreement allows those enrolled in or recently graduated from, post secondary education to apply for a visa to work and live in the United States for a period of one year. This reciprocal programme is also open to US citizens wishing...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's position on settlements is very clear, and has been consistently stated on many occasions in the Oireachtas, most recently in reply to Question 784 of the 16th September. Israeli settlement building, whether in East Jerusalem or in the West Bank, is illegal under international law and represents a primary obstacle to the two-State solution. Continued expansion of these settlements...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have detailed as follows in tabular form the annual cost of Ministerial travel, which includes accommodation, commercial flights and travel subsistence incurred for each year from January 2004 to August 2009. The electronic accounting system currently in operation at my Department has only been in place since 2004 and it therefore has only been possible in the time available to obtain...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government is very concerned about the recent reports of violent incidents in Camp Ashraf, the situation of those detained and also the more general predicament of its residents. Camp Ashraf is home to over three thousand members of the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI), an Iranian opposition group that established itself in Iraq in 1986 at the invitation of Saddam Hussein. However,...

Written Answers — International Co-operation: International Co-operation (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to report that two participants from Argentina attended the Global Irish Economic Forum. The Government is determined to build on the positive momentum generated at the Forum and to take forward the wide range of ideas suggested during the discussions. I will shortly bring a comprehensive report of the Forum discussions and suggested outcomes to Government. This will include...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following table sets out, for both Votes, the details of experts and consultants commissioned to produce reports by the Department in 2008 and the costs in each case. My Department, through Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme) ,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 762 together. The following tables set out the numbers of staff in my Department who have availed of early retirement, whose contracts have been terminated or who have resigned since 2006, as well as the associated costs. There are no Government agencies under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Early Retirement Year Number of staff...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The person concerned applied for citizenship, through the foreign births registration process, which allows the grandchildren of Irish born citizens to obtain citizenship. The application was made at the Office of the Consul General in New York. Her certificate of citizenship was provided to her on September 30 and a passport application was then submitted on October 1. The passport...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department avails of the Department of Finance Central Framework for mobile telephony services. Under this procurement framework, my Department has contracts with both O2 and Vodafone, in place since October 2008, for the provision of all mobile telephony requirements, including for Ministers.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The calculation of the pension benefits payable to retired members of my Department, including the appropriate lump sum due, is a matter for the Department of Finance, in accordance with the regulations governing these arrangements. During the past three years, my Department has not sanctioned or applied for payment of any pension top-ups or discretionary pension-related payments outside the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: No civil servants were dismissed from my Department during the period in question. However, the Deputy may wish to note that, during this period, the Department initiated disciplinary proceedings in a very small number of cases where serious misconduct was alleged. In the cases concerned, the relevant officers resigned from the Civil Service before the disciplinary process was completed. In...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not been contacted by the individual in question regarding this case. My Department has asked the relevant authorities to look into the matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: The overtime costs for the Department of Foreign Affairs (Votes 28 and 29) during the years in question are set out in the table below. Year Cost 2008 €1,528,000 2009 to date €1,521,000 Most overtime in my Department arises in the Passport Offices in Dublin, Balbriggan, Cork and London, due to the seasonal nature of the demand for passports. The peak season has now passed and I do...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29, (International Cooperation). There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department. The following table summarises my Department's total payroll expenditure, under Vote 28 and Vote 29, for 2008 and up to 30 September in 2009. Item 2008(€ 000) 2009 (to 30 September) (€ 000) Salaries (HQ and...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would be happy to meet with the person referred to by the Deputy. I invite her, on behalf of the Irish-based members of the family, to make contact with my office on (01) 408 2140 to arrange such a meeting. Since the disappearance of the person in question on 1st January 2008, my Department, through the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin and our Embassy in Madrid, has been providing...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am extremely concerned for the welfare of Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague Ms.Hilda Kawuki, who have been in captivity for over 100 days now. The Sudanese Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Al Gailani was appointed by the Sudanese Government as our official point of contact and since has been in contact on almost a daily basis with our Ambassador to Sudan, Mr Gerry Corr, who...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no record of any contract or business arrangement with the company in question.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Oct 2009)

Micheál Martin: Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2004, the basic requirement for Irish citizenship by descent is that an applicant's parent was an Irish citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. A person who was born outside Ireland with parents who were also born outside Ireland but with a grandparent who was born in Ireland may become an Irish citizen by Foreign Births...