Results 7,201-7,220 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Multinational companies today have a far greater research content than was the case five years ago. The reforms announced by the Taoiseach today will streamline in particular the fourth level research arm of the State. It will be brought under the aegis of a single Department to be called the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to ensure a strong synergy between this research...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy may be surprised.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: 2010 marks the Bicentenary of the independence of Argentina. Given the long-standing and close bilateral ties which characterise relations between Ireland and Argentina, a wide ranging programme is being put in place to mark this significant anniversary in Argentina's history. The Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires launched its commemorative programme of Argentina's Bicentenary during the highly...

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

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that the passport for the applicant issued on 12 March 2010. This application was received by the Passport Service on 03 February 2010 through the regular post channel i.e. it did not use the Passport Express service provided by An Post. As advised on the Department's website applicants should only apply by regular post if a passport is not required for...

Written Answers — False Passports: False Passports (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The first indication we received of the use of false Irish passports in connection with the killing of Mr. Mahmoud al Mabhouh was on 4 February, when local press reports in Dubai stated that several suspects were believed to have entered Dubai on Irish passports. The Ambassador of Ireland to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ciarán Madden, immediately contacted the UAE Foreign Ministry to seek...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in two buildings in the State: · Ground floor of Hospitality House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 2. The rental cost in 2009 was €144,900 and the length of the lease is 20 years. However, the lease on these premises is being terminated this year. · Ground floor of Findlater House, 27 -31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The rental cost in 2009...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The current number of full-time equivalent staff in my Department is 1218. This does not include approximately 300 locally-engaged staff serving in Missions abroad. The table below sets out details of the number of full-time equivalent staff working in the areas mentioned by the Deputy. Area of work Number of staff Payroll 4.5 Financial Management 41.9 Human Resources 21.6 Means...

Written Answers — North-South Bodies: North-South Bodies (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are seven North/ Bodies in operation - Waterways Ireland, InterTradeIreland, the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency), the Special EU Programmes Body, the North/South Language Body (which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency), the Food Safety Promotion Board and Tourism Ireland Ltd. The North/South Bodies are a significant part of the...

Written Answers — Anti-Irish Racism: Anti-Irish Racism (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated previously, since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on issues. The Consul General remains in close contact with senior officials in the Scottish Government in relation to incidents of sectarianism of the kind referred to in the question. I understand that the Scottish...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together. Accreditation of Irish Diplomatic Missions is decided on a number of criteria which include, inter alia, the provision of consular services. The Department regularly reviews its Diplomatic network of Embassies and Consulates abroad in this context. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland, Sofia, does not routinely deal with visa applications...

Written Answers — Travel Advice: Travel Advice (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department's travel advice is regularly updated and is designed to help Irish citizens make informed decisions before travelling overseas. It reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved and is based on the best information available to the Department. It draws on reports from Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad and advice issued by other countries including Member...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have reported to the House on previous occasions, most recently on 11 February, I consider the Goldstone Report to be a serious and important contribution to efforts to determine the truth of allegations about events in Gaza a year ago, to establish accountability for them, and to seek to prevent a recurrence of such alleged infringements of international law. I have commended Judge...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The EU-Israel Association Agreement forms the legal basis for relations between the EU and Israel. As the Deputy has indicated, Article 2 of this Agreement states that relations between the parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an...

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

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that the passport for the applicant issued on 18 March 2010. This application was received by the Passport Service on 23 February 2010 through the regular post channel at the Passport Office in London. The Passport Office in London does not provide a service level guarantee in respect of applications received. However, in normal circumstances...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will appreciate that, as travel has just taken place, details on foreign travel, accommodation and related Ministerial and official costs have not yet been consolidated. I will be happy to write to the Deputy providing the requested details at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations mandate for the presence of troops with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been renewed on an annual basis since December 2001. The current mandate was extended until 12 October 2010 by Resolution 1890 (2009) adopted by the Security Council on 8 October 2009. This Resolution not only authorised the Member States participating in ISAF to...

Written Answers — Pre-clearance Facilities: Pre-clearance Facilities (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 16 March, I had a very useful meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington. We discussed a broad range of foreign policy issues, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iran and Haiti. Secretary Clinton was particularly interested in the situation in Northern Ireland in the wake of the historic agreement at Hillsborough last month. I thanked the Secretary for her own...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have recently been made aware of the case raised by the Deputy through our Embassy in Riyadh. It appears that the young woman involved has dual Indian-Canadian citizenship. She travelled to Saudi Arabia two years ago with a temporary holiday visa, sponsored by her father who is an Indian citizen resident in Saudi Arabia. Under Saudi law, the sponsor's permission is required for any...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. Two proposals were submitted to my Department by Cork County Council on behalf of Dunmanway. One of the proposals was for a...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department does not lease any buildings within the State.