Results 6,901-6,920 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Passport Fraud: Passport Fraud (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The figures for Irish passports reported as lost or stolen for 2008 and from 1 January to 4 December 2009 are: Year Total passports issued Lost or mislaid Stolen Total lost, mislaid or stolen % of total issued 2008 577,000 31,262 5,002 36,264 6.3% 2009 to 4 December 550,406 28,602 4,612 33,214 6.0% Since 1 October, 2009 the Department increased the frequency of its reporting of the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 268 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Priority Questions 29 and 30 earlier today. I understand that elements of the Holy See's response to the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation are still under consideration by the Vatican. I can assure the Deputies that I impressed upon the Papal Nuncio at our recent meeting the...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The seventh WTO Ministerial Conference took place in Geneva from 30 November to 2 December. The Irish Delegation was led by the Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher T.D. The Conference was an important opportunity for WTO Trade Ministers to assess the progress made on concluding a new trade liberalisation deal by the end of 2010. Negotiations on a new trade deal – referred to as...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Mozambique has made good progress in recovering from the 1977-1992 civil war and is one of Africa's most successful examples of post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is both stable and democratic, even though there has been no change of government since the transition to democracy. Political stability has been underpinned by national reconstruction and relatively rapid economic...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Since 2002, the political situation in Chad has been dominated by threats of armed rebellion against the government of President Idriss Déby. While the government signed an accord with civilian opposition parties in 2007, providing for a degree of political reform, armed rebel groups have remained active and intent on overthrowing the government by force. The most recent threat to the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 254 together. The EU remains closely engaged with both Russia and Georgia in conflict resolution efforts following the August 2008 conflict over the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The September 2008 peace plan, brokered by the French EU Presidency, provided for talks to take place in Geneva under the co-chairmanship of the EU, UN,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to him, most recently on 24 November, we have been following this case closely through our Embassy in Tehran. Following his arrest at his home on 9 July and his subsequent appearance at one of the televised show trials, Dr Kian Tajbakhsh was sentenced on 20 October, reportedly on allegations of espionage and playing a role in the public...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Energy security is a major priority for the European Union, and Ireland supports and actively contributes to the EU's efforts to diversify its energy supply and improve the Community's capacity to prepare for and react to energy emergencies. To tackle the challenges facing the EU, the European Commission undertook a second Strategic Energy Review in 2008. The resulting EU Energy Security &...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Enlargement of the European Union has helped to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It has enhanced economic opportunities and increased the EU's capacity to tackle global challenges such as climate change. As a beneficiary of enlargement, Ireland looks forward to welcoming other European countries into the Union once they meet all of the conditions for accession. I am...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The legal basis for EU relations with Russia is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which came into force in 1997. Negotiations are continuing between the EU and Russia on a new agreement to replace the PCA. The successful conclusion of these negotiations will be important for developing the EU-Russia relationship further. The PCA established an institutional framework for...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving peace and stability in the countries of the Western Balkans, which were recognised as having a European perspective by the European Council at Thessaloniki in 2003. The General Affairs Council (GAC) of 7/8 December 2009 considered the Commission's comprehensive report of 14 October 2009 on progress made by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. As I have stated on previous occasions, in response to similar Questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a 'league table' of countries deemed guilty of the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. One of the principal ways in which the international community, which includes the EU and the UN, promotes human rights is through action at the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. The Universal Periodic Review is one of the major new aspects of the Human Rights Council, which subjects each UN Member State to a thorough...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: In my reply of 4 November to a Question from the Deputy on this case, I stated: This Israeli action has very negative implications for the future of Bethlehem University and the ability of young Palestinians to receive third level education. I call upon the Israeli authorities to reverse this apparently unjustified and mistaken action, and allow the person concerned to return to Bethlehem...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: At its meeting on 8 December, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process, including a number of important references to the status of Jerusalem, and East Jerusalem in particular. The Council stated that "the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties."...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: On 30 October 2009, a bilateral agreement, entitled A Supplemental Agreement for Co-operation and Technical Assistance and Security, was signed by Colombia and the United States. Articles Three and Four of this Agreement provide for continued U.S. access to specific Colombian facilities in order to undertake mutually agreed activities within Colombia and for the location of up to 800 U.S....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. This Agreement will cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is not true.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Positive vision versus negative delusion.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is only interested in votes and agitation for votes.