Results 7,141-7,160 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (18 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not currently use any cloud computing systems.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 305, inclusive, together. As I have indicated in response to similar recent questions, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR) is intended, when it comes into force, to set up a mechanism that will make it possible for individuals or groups of individuals to submit a complaint to the UN...

Written Answers — Irish Prisoners Abroad: Irish Prisoners Abroad (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The provisions relating to prisoners in the Good Friday Agreement only relate to the obligations of the British and Irish Governments and are not applicable to other States. Decisions in the matter referred to by the Deputy would be for the US authorities to determine. My Department has no record of any contact from the individual concerned regarding the situation he faces.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Residences: Diplomatic Residences (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Ambassador's Residence in Ottawa was acquired by the State in 1960. Only modest investments were made in its upkeep over the years and it had long been in need of substantial refurbishment. In 2006, my Department was advised that total renovation was required to address a wide range of serious structural and maintenance issues. Some of these problems were aggravated by the long term...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Residences: Diplomatic Residences (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Location Property Estimated Cost â'¬000 Addis Ababa Chancery 1,039 Armagh Office of North South Ministerial Council 635 Oslo Residence 218 Prague Residence 268 Riyadh Chancery 273 Stockholm Residence 243

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 375 on 9 February on this issue, which was as follows: "NGOs operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories perform a vital role in trying to mitigate and ease the burden of the occupation on the Palestinian people, provide for their physical well-being in circumstances where economic life and opportunities are severely constrained, and...

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will understand that for the moment it would be premature and irresponsible for me to pronounce on the reason why false Irish passports were used in the assassination Mahmouh al Mabhouh on 20 January. I want to be perfectly clear that the supposed Irish passports were in fact fakes. The passport numbers corresponded to the numbers on genuine Irish passports. However, the...

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The current Irish passport is widely regarded and respected throughout the world as being of the highest quality. In recent years there has been very significant investment in enhancing the security features of the passport book to ensure that our citizens can travel in safety. In 2005 my Department introduced a new Automatic Passport System (APS) which fundamentally redesigned the Irish...

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Immediately following publication on 4 February of local press reports that several suspects in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh were believed to have entered Dubai on Irish passports, the Ambassador of Ireland to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ciarán Madden, contacted the UAE Foreign Ministry to seek clarification as to the veracity of these reports. On 8 February Ambassador Madden was...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 317 together. As the Deputies are aware, there has been a United States embargo on Cuba since 1962. Among the measures applied on foot of this embargo is a ban on the transfer of funds to Cuba involving United States financial institutions. The EU has a longstanding position on the US embargo, most recently expressed in the EU Presidency statement...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned at Iran's announcement on 11 February that it has produced its first batch of uranium enriched to 20%. This is in clear violation of successive UN Security Council resolutions calling on Iran to cease its uranium enrichment activities, and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This latest development coincides with the IAEA report of 18...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The passport office estimates that there are approximately 4.3 million Irish passport holders worldwide. Demand has risen from 388,000 in 2000 to 630,000 in 2005. Demand levelled off with approximately 600,000 passports being issued in 2006 and 2007 and fell slightly in 2008 to 580,000 passports. 2009 passport demand has been very similar to that in 2008, where 579,508 passports were issued.

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Police investigations into the assassination in Dubai of Mr. Mahmoud al-Mabhouh on 20 January are continuing. The identities of those involved in the assassination, and the organization or group responsible, remain to be established. I met with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Avigdor Lieberman in Brussels yesterday and made clear my serious concerns at the fraudulent use of Irish passports...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office has no record of an application from the person in question.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (23 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following are the details of expenditure under sub-head A7 (Consultancy) under both Votes in 2007, 2008, and up to 31st December 2009 (provisional outturn): Expenditure under Consultancy Subhead (A07) Vote 28 Vote 29 Total Vote 28+ Vote 29 2007...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (24 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Supporting Irish communities abroad is a priority for this Government. Since 2004 my Department has allocated almost €70 million to Irish community organisations throughout the world through the Emigrant Support Programme. A significant portion of this funding, including some €5 million in 2009, was used to support our emigrant community in the United States. Funding is prioritised to...

Written Answers — Counterfeit Passports: Counterfeit Passports (24 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 318 on 23 February in relation to this issue, which was as follows: "Police investigations into the assassination in Dubai of Mr. Mahmoud al-Mabhouh on 20 January are continuing. The identities of those involved in the assassination, and the organization or group responsible, remain to be established. I met with the Israeli Foreign...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (24 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 315 from him on 23 February in relation to the background to this issue. Further to that reply, I would add the following: Existing sanctions on Iran are based on UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007) and 1803 (2008), which have been translated into EU measures under various Council Regulations and Common Positions. In...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (24 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The US embargo on Cuba was imposed in 1962. Last year, President Obama initiated a review of policy towards Cuba. This review led to the reversal of certain sanctions including the lifting of restrictions on remittances and family travel to Cuba; the resumption of direct postal service between the two countries and the revival of biannual discussions on migration. Indeed, on 12 February...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (24 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ 314 of yesterday, 23 February, copied below. "There has been a United States embargo on Cuba since 1962. Among the measures applied on foot of this embargo is a ban on the transfer of funds to Cuba involving United States financial institutions. The EU has a long-standing position on the US embargo, most recently expressed in the EU Presidency statement...