Results 6,941-6,960 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland supports, and participates in, the efforts of the international community to bring peace, security and stability to Afghanistan. The international community is devoting considerable effort to economic development, reconstruction, tackling corruption and improving governance in that country. In 2009, Irish Aid allocated over €5 million in relief, recovery and development assistance...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: One of the main themes to emerge from the attendees at the Global Irish Economic Forum, which took place at Farmleigh last September, was the importance of Irish culture in promoting a positive image of this country abroad. This was also an important conclusion of the Strategic Review of Ireland US Relations, published by the Taoiseach in March 2009. The construction of a new state of the art...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Diplomatic Network is made up of 75 overseas missions, in addition to offices in Armagh and Belfast. The network consists of 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. A detailed table giving...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies on this matter, I am very conscious of the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran and of the particular case of these seven Baha'i, who have been in detention since 2008. I have personally raised this case, and matters relating to human rights and religious freedom generally, directly with the Iranian authorities at the highest levels....

Written Answers — Live Animal Exports: Live Animal Exports (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have not been made aware of any Council policies in England which contain discriminatory conditions on dogs and cats imported from Ireland. I would invite the Deputy to provide further details so that I can look into the matter.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of a number of Irish investors who are experiencing difficulties with their investments in Turkish property. The common issue in most cases relates to Irish purchasers finding it difficult to claim their title deeds. The issues involved are complex and many cases are now the subject of private legal proceedings. The majority of these cases are primarily civil matters and as such...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made recommendations which it estimated would save €41m in a full year in my Department. In the 2010 Estimates for Public Services and Summary Public Capital Programme, published on 9 December 2009, total savings of €62.7m were announced for my Department. €46.5m of these savings relate to the recommendations of the...

Written Answers — Passport Fees: Passport Fees (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Passport fees increased on 1 February 2009. This is the first increase in Passport Fees since 2005. In 2006 the security of the Irish Passport was greatly augmented with the introduction of the ePassport however, no fees were increased at that time. Comparison of the fees at 2005 and 2009 are contained in the following table: Passport/Service type 2009 1 Standard 10 year Passport (Adult)...

Written Answers — Passport Fees: Passport Fees (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The revenues received in respect of passport fees in 2008 amounted to €29.7 million. The provisional outturn for 2009 amounts to €31.8 million.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Working Holiday agreements are concluded between Ireland and other Governments on a reciprocal basis. For Irish citizens the application is administered directly with the Embassy concerned or through an authorised sponsoring organisation. While precise figures are not yet available in relation to the number of visa applications by Irish citizens approved in all of the countries listed, the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 677 together. I am aware of the case of Dr Sadok Shourou, who was re-arrested on 3 December 2008, shortly after serving nearly 18 years of a 30 year sentence for his leadership of an Islamist group allegedly attempting to overthrow the Tunisian government. NGOs who observed his original trial at the time were critical of the proceedings. I also...

Written Answers — Emigrant Supports: Emigrant Supports (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Abroad Unit within my Department maintains a keen interest in all aspects of the Irish experience of emigration, both forced and voluntary, and has active programmes aimed at strengthening our links with Irish communities overseas; including in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, Europe and Asia. While we have no active programme in...

Written Answers — Ethics in Public Office: Ethics in Public Office (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Ministers, Ministers of State, and Special Advisers are required to make an annual statement of registerable interests to the Standards in Public Office Commission, as set out in the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. Statements of registerable interests must include any gifts of a value in excess of that set out in the Ethics in Public Office Acts...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: My colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government has primary responsibility for the various legislative codes dealing with the registration of electors and the conduct of elections and referendums. Policy regarding votes for non residents is dealt with by the Franchise section of that Department. The question of voting rights for Irish citizens living abroad was most...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The United States has been actively engaged in an effort to persuade the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to re-enter negotiations aimed at reaching a final status agreement within a finite timescale. Progress has been slow and difficult, but this effort has injected new life into a peace process which had been stalled. The US efforts are being conducted by Secretary of State Clinton and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: I shall, of course, be responding to the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. The issue of human rights in North Korea and the plight of the ordinary people there are matters of very deep concern. While the North Korean regime continues to invest precious resources in its nuclear and military programmes, and in the welfare of its elites, the country is suffering chronic food insecurity...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: The following table below gives details of the number of staff in my Department in each of the years concerned. Year Number of Staff 2007 1,214 2008 1,257 2009 1,279 2010 1,276 The numbers above reflect the actual number of staff serving in my Department at Headquarters, and Departmental officers on temporary assignment abroad. They include those who work-share, but exclude...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Burton does not want to hear this.

Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Time to go.

European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Jan 2010)

Micheál Martin: Is Deputy Kenny studying Mr. Cameron's form?