Results 7,021-7,040 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Overseas Development Aid. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: We will be seeking such a common position, although Switzerland does not maintain an institutionalised political dialogue with the EU due to its traditional policy of neutrality. Having said that, there should be a common response from the EU on this issue and we will be raising it at the next available opportunity. Switzerland is a traditional location for the transfer of such funds, due to...

Overseas Development Aid. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am broadly in agreement and do not have any issue with the Minister - my apologies, the Deputy - and I am supportive of his impulse and instincts in this matter.

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have paid particular attention to the worsening conditions in Gaza, even before the conflict one year ago. I have stressed the humanitarian needs of the population and urgent necessity to end the blockade and open the border crossings not only to unrestricted humanitarian aid, but also to reconstruction materials and ordinary commercial traffic. While the blockade of Gaza is unacceptable...

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I wrote to the Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos on this issue and, given the incoming Spanish Presidency, the need for co-ordinated, collective action by European Union Foreign Ministers on visiting Gaza. The European Union, under the High Representative, is committed to doing everything possible to rebuild Gaza and provide substantial moneys, as pledged by the...

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: That is the key problem at the moment. We will do everything we can to ensure Gaza remains a key priority in the wider issue of the Middle East process. In the early months of last year, as a result of renewed optimism about the prospect of talks, people may have taken the view that Gaza would be unlocked once the talks process was unlocked. This has not occurred and, if anything, the...

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I concur with the Deputy. The blockade has had a devastating impact on life in Gaza. As I noted, in essence the blockade constitutes collective punishment of 1.5 million people and is unacceptable. I am angry because in terms of international law and convention, humanitarian rights and so forth the blockade is unacceptable and without justification. It is also having the impact to which...

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have no doubt the EU funding will continue to be available. I also have no doubt that the European Union has the capacity to do the work it wants to do, particularly in terms of infrastructural requirements such as sewage and water treatment plants, electricity supply and hospitals. The French Government made a key proposal on Gaza's hospitals. All the aid is waiting to get into Gaza and...

Human Rights Issues. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ireland's Role in Europe. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union analysed the issues arising from the first Lisbon treaty referendum and its report was a major contribution to our understanding of those complex issues. The report unequivocally stated that Ireland's place is at the heart of the European Union and recommended that key concerns be addressed, that public understanding of...

Ireland's Role in Europe. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach, the Government and myself are keen to be proactive in response to proposals from this House on how we now implement the Lisbon treaty and enhance the role of the Oireachtas in terms of European Union affairs. That means more plenary sessions in this House on European Union matters. We would respond very positively to that. I am impatient. I would like the House to get on...

Ireland's Role in Europe. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am on record already as supporting the establishment of a European affairs office in the House. I understand it was recommended by the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny chaired by Deputy Perry, if my recollection is correct. It is a matter, therefore, for the parliamentary commission to prioritise and implement that, but I am supportive of it. At Government level we are responding to...

Irish Diaspora. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government takes a broad and inclusive approach when it comes to defining our global community. The Irish diaspora is not limited to Irish-born people living overseas or to those who have activated Irish citizenship. Instead, it encompasses all those who believe they are of Irish descent and feel a sense of affinity with this country. I believe it is essential that we in Ireland value...

Irish Diaspora. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is correct that the Global Irish Network has had close to 300 responses. I will get back to him on the precise figures in terms of the breakdown per destination, but I understand a substantial proportion are from the United States, United Kingdom, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We launched the network only the week before last, during a one-day trip to London which took place...

Irish Diaspora. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: He is in a very creative mood this afternoon.

Irish Diaspora. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I expected the Deputy to have more detailed questions on the diaspora, but he has moved quickly to specific questions about passports. I will return to the House with detailed figures regarding the numbers lost and believed stolen. We must be cautious about drawing conclusions, particularly in respect of terrorism and so on. It is important to maintain perspective. I assure the Deputy...

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: A report on 3 February by the respected non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Watch, stated that Libya has, since the end of January, blocked access from that country to certain websites based in other countries, including opposition Libyan websites and YouTube. This action, which was at first represented as a technical fault, is being interpreted as an attempt to prevent dissemination...

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, it is incumbent upon Libya to respect the international agreements to which it has signed up. In the context of any engagement between that country and the European Union, we would emphasise that issues of freedom of expression and access are a high priority. As both Deputy Breen and I observed, there were indications that Libya was opening up somewhat. This is a very...

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Will the Deputy clarify his question?

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Not to my knowledge, but I will clarify that for the Deputy. There have been serious human rights concerns in regard to Libya over the years, and those concerns are being addressed within the ongoing EU-Libya framework agreement negotiations.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Asia strategy was established in 1999 to improve Ireland's political and business contacts in the Asia-Pacific region, and to raise awareness of Ireland as an investment location and a source of high-quality exports. The 1998 report of the Asia strategy group, which provided the basis for the Asia strategy, stated that fundamental rights and freedoms were a factor in our relations with...