Results 6,721-6,740 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: This case was brought to the attention of my Department by Bethlehem University at the end of last week. At that stage, unfortunately, our enquiries revealed that the person concerned had already been forcibly returned to Gaza on the day she was detained. I understand that she is still in Gaza at present. Through our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, we have brought this case to the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (5 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply to question 772 of the 3rd November as outlined below: I have not been contacted by any charitable group in connection with this convoy. However, I have had enquiries made with the Egyptian authorities in relation to it. I understand that the convoy in question is a very large shipment of aid organised by Palestinian groups in a number of European countries,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (5 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The British authorities have not recently engaged my Department regarding the implementation of the Schengen Agreement here. As the Deputy will be aware, the Schengen Agreement primarily concerns immigration, police and judicial matters, which are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In addition, in an EU context, many of the issues covered...

Written Answers — Child Abductions: Child Abductions (5 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have been following developments closely in the case mentioned by the Deputy for the past twenty two months. The case involves the abduction of the child of an Irish citizen. My officials, both in Dublin and in the Embassy in Budapest have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen concerning this case. Diplomatic staff in our Embassy in Budapest, have met with the relevant authorities...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has not concluded a Status of Forces Agreement with the United States. United States military personnel and persons engaged in business in Ireland are subject to Irish law in the same manner and to the same extent as all other persons. The only exception relates to military personnel attached to the Embassy of the United States and duly accredited under the Vienna Convention on...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has worked closely with our EU partners in maintaining a consistent approach to Zimbabwe. The EU operates targeted restrictive measures against individuals and businesses which have supported or participated in the destruction wrought by President Mugabe and his close associates within ZANU PF. I am concerned at reports of a commercial involvement between the company referred to and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The total number of staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs at principal officer level or higher on 1 May 2009 was 139.

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government does not consider that trade or other embargoes on Israel would contribute to the search for peace in the Middle East. I have made it clear that there is no prospect of reaching consensus at EU level in favour of such a policy. In these circumstances, to link this issue with the discussion of the Goldstone report serves to make more difficult a clear and constructive...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government has made it clear in international debates at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and most recently at the UN General Assembly in New York, that it supports the Goldstone report and attaches importance to it. Ireland was one of five EU member states to vote in support of the resolution on the report at the UN General Assembly last week. The report is a complex and detailed...

Written Answers — Irish United Nations Association: Irish United Nations Association (10 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Irish United Nations Association is a non-governmental organisation that is based in Dublin. Its objectives are to promote the aims and activities of the United Nations and its specialised agencies in Ireland. The association has received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1972. In addition to this funding, my Department has also provided support to the association in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together. Ireland and our EU partners continue to pay close attention to the situation of Iraqi refugees, of whom there are estimated to be in excess of 2 million. We are particularly concerned by the large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons, and by the burden being borne by neighbouring states, especially Jordan and Syria....

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (17 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the US continues to be a high priority of this Government. We are also committed to developing our bilateral migration arrangements with the United States, through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable E3 visa scheme. In discussions with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, during her visit to Ireland in October, I stressed...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (17 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office may only issue passports to Irish citizens. Accordingly, each application is considered with reference to Irish citizenship law and more recently with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. The person in question was born in the State on 8 February, 2007. Her entitlement to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 ("the 2004 Act")....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (17 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: On Friday, 2 October the Irish people gave a ringing endorsement to the proposal to amend the Constitution of Ireland in order to allow Ireland to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. The referendum was supported by 67.13% of those who voted in a turnout of 59% of voters. The full result of the referendum was published in Issue no. 80 of Iris Oifigiúil on Tuesday 6 October. Dáil Éireann approved the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (17 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of any plan such as that referred to by the Deputy, which would, in any event, be an operational matter for the Department of Transport.

Middle East Peace Process. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Israeli and Palestinian conflict, and the Middle East peace process, are issues of enduring concern to the Irish public, and have been a foreign policy priority for successive Irish Governments for many years. Ireland is an active and vocal participant in discussions on the Middle East at EU and UN level, as well as directly with the main players in the region. I have made two extensive...

Middle East Peace Process. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would not necessarily accept that we here in the Oireachtas are a contributing factor to the division that naturally occurs on an issue as historic and as ingrained as this.

Middle East Peace Process. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: That would be my position. On the other hand, I have no difficulty at all in facilitating engagement between people on the issue and I look forward to the receipt of proposals. On the point I made earlier, any structure or forum we establish invariably will draw the very same divisions to the fore but only in the context of another theatre. What I would be interested in ascertaining from...

Middle East Peace Process. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I look forward to receiving the presentation of a proposal from Deputy Timmins. I undertake to work with him and others in the House to see if we can put flesh on the bone of his suggestion.

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon Treaty provides for the creation of two major new posts: the President of the European Council and the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. These posts will bring greater coherence and continuity to the work of the EU, particularly in its external dimensions. The President of the European Council will chair that body, driving forward its work and ensuring...