Results 7,041-7,060 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Burmese question has never been seen or dealt with in the context of the Asia strategy.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I met recently with representatives of the Burmese government in exile. As the Deputy will be aware, we have provided considerable support to it to organise and present its case to the wider world.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I would be very concerned about the forthcoming elections given the timeframe that has been allocated. The timeframe is running out in terms of the rules of the game being published or people being given notice as to who can and cannot participate. The essential requirement is that there would be a release of the political prisoners, many of whom are the leading lights of the opposition. I...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: In both Asia strategies the educational dimension has been very strong. In fact, there has been an expanded level of partnership and engagement between universities here and universities in Asia, particularly in Malaysia and China, to name but two.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I share the Deputy's view that I believe in an expansive and creative approach to that.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The point is valid. It is an important dimension to the issue of expanding the whole education industry. We can gain more from it. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, is pursuing that issue vigorously. Deputy Timmins asked about relations with China and the review of the second phase. In terms of trade, there has been growth and an enhancement of bilateral trade...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am. I am determined to get there in 2010. I was not in a position to go there last year because of the Lisbon treaty referenda and so on. Relations with Asia are very much about maintaining the political contacts on a regular basis - not on a once off basis and not doing it again for a few years. The Expo has created a problem with the timetable because the Chinese are anxious to keep...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: -----to industry and in terms of Irish companies going abroad.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that from the time the Minister for Finance went to London last year, the recurring international feedback has been that the presence of Irish Ministers overseas has enhanced Ireland's image abroad and the perspective that international markets have of Ireland. That was in relation to Deputy Timmins' last comment.

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 83 together. The earthquake of 12 January has been a devastating tragedy for the people of Haiti. It is estimated that well over 200,000 people have died. More than 1.2 million people are displaced, living in temporary shelters in and around the capital city, Port au Prince. A further 480,000 people are reported to have left the city and taken...

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we have learned lessons as a result of the tsunami and its aftermath and not least in the context of the emergency relief fund that is now in place and that is ready to be used when disasters of this nature occur. The prepositioning of supplies, etc., is also an indication of lessons learned. The fundamental difficulty encountered in Haiti related to the...

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am sure the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Peter Power, would be anxious to be of assistance to Members in respect of this matter. In that context, it might be useful to engage, at a later date, in a debate on the situation in Haiti-----

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: -----particularly in the context of how we might learn lessons with regard to how the aid was deployed, etc. I have read some first-hand accounts issued by aid agencies which indicate that a great deal of aid was brought into the country early on and was effective. However, there were infrastructural difficulties. Not least among these was that relating to the port, which was critical in...

Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is not gobbledygook. Be honest.

Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is not.

Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Withdraw that remark.

Job Creation. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: That is not true. The same procedure is applied to foreign and indigenous companies.

Written Answers — EU 2020 Strategy: EU 2020 Strategy (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Given the backdrop of the most severe economic and financial crisis seen in generations, the need for a renewed approach on the part of the EU and its Member States, cannot be overstated. The EU's Lisbon Strategy on growth and jobs did not achieve all of its targets but had its positive impact. There are useful lessons from it to be applied, as the EU works towards agreeing a successor...

Written Answers — Democratic Accountability: Democratic Accountability (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Angola has undergone major development since the end of its civil war, one of the longest-running civil wars in Africa, in 2002. It has achieved rapid economic growth, thanks to a boom in oil production and high international oil prices. As Africa's largest oil producer, Angola's economic boom continues today, notwithstanding a temporary downturn in 2008/09. Hopes that the ending of Angola's...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The State owns 37 properties abroad. Their estimated value is currently in the order of €153 million. However, I would caution that this estimate is subject to the price volatility of the current property market across the globe. These properties have been acquired for use as office premises and official Residences of Heads of Mission. They provide platforms to enable our Missions to raise...