Results 7,301-7,320 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit in 2000 provide the framework for international development up to 2015. They involve a series of ambitious and far-reaching commitments by the entire international community, together with a set of specific targets against which to measure progress in the reduction of global poverty. The...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 122 and 293 together. On 27 February, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck off the Chilean coast, just 90 kilometres from Concepción, Chile's second largest city. The earthquake was followed by a destructive tsunami and several serious aftershocks were also registered. According to the Chilean authorities, the earthquake resulted in...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I visited Cairo on 23-25 February for discussions with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Whilst in Cairo I also took the opportunity to meet with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, and with the Director of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, General Omar Suleiman. Discussions in Cairo largely focused on the Middle East...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81 and 295 together. As Deputies will be aware from many previous statements in this House, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We are actively engaged in the EU and international efforts to support the Burmese people in their struggle for justice, democracy and development. The Burmese authorities are pushing ahead...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Since January 2009, there has been a net reduction of 58 in staffing levels in my Department. The moratorium on recruitment has meant that staff and functions within my Department are continually being reallocated and reorganised. In addition, the changing business needs of my Department, along with the nature of its core work, require the frequent reassignment of staff, both at home and to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States continues to be an important priority for this Government. We are also committed to enhancing our bilateral migration arrangements with the US through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable visa scheme, known as the E3 visa, and the further development of the working holiday programme. During our recent St...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which indicated a rise in the level of arms exported from Germany in recent years. Since December 2008, all European Union Member States, including Germany, are legally bound to uphold Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which defines common rules governing the control of exports of military...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 87, 99, 105, 107, 115, 125, 287 and 296 together. I refer to my earlier reply to Priority Questions 70 and 72 for details on my discussions with Secretary Clinton, and on the issues of Gaza and of Israeli settlement construction. Further to that reply, I would add a number of points in answer to matters raised by Deputies. The difficulties inherent in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 288 and 300 together. International concerns about the nature and aims of Iran's nuclear programme, which are shared by Ireland, have been the focus of diplomatic efforts for some years. The EU has been actively engaged with the Iranian authorities since 2004 in trying to reach a satisfactory resolution of this issue. This EU commitment was repeated in the...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty which will support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The High Representative has on 25 March presented a proposal for a Council Decision on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS and discussion will soon commence on this. As...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The question of introducing any tax measures is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance. From a foreign policy perspective, I would not exclude that taxation measures might have a role to play in regulating international financial markets, alongside other international instruments. As the Deputy will be aware, there were calls at the G20 Summit in St Andrews last November for a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority question number 13403/10. As the Deputy is aware, customers have been experiencing disruption to passport services as a result of ongoing industrial action in the public service. The industrial action has led to a backlog of over 50,000 passport applications in the system and application...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 112, and 116 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs decentralised to Limerick. This Division operates externally under the name of Irish Aid. The Headquarters of Irish Aid is situated in my Department's Limerick building. Of the 108 staff...

Written Answers — Irish Residents Abroad: Irish Residents Abroad (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There is no legal requirement for Irish citizens living abroad to register with their nearest Embassy. As such, no official figures are available for the number of Irish citizens who are permanently resident abroad. During 2009 our diplomatic missions issued 81,000 passports to Irish citizens ordinarily resident abroad. The most recent US census recorded 124,000 Irish born residents,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been treated in Colombia. To this end, a number of steps have been taken over the past year in addressing human rights issues directly with the Government of Colombia and together with the European Union. First, in December 2008, at the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are a total of 89 Honorary Consuls serving at present and the table below sets out where they are located. Consideration of whether to appoint an Honorary Consul in a particular country or specific area within a country is taken on the basis of several criteria eg Consular needs, location of significant Irish community, business opportunities etc.. The Department requests all missions...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Residences: Diplomatic Residences (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 127 together. Ireland has strong commercial and business linkages with Canada. Total trade (manufacturing and services) between Ireland and Canada in 2008 was valued at more than €1.6 billion. The first ten months of 2009 saw a 12 % increase in this trade. Canada is also a key tourism market for Ireland with 108,000 Canadians visiting Ireland in 2008....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. While we have seen some improvements in the economic sphere since the formation of the unity government, this has not been matched in other crucial areas, including respect for human rights, the rule of law and security sector reform. The lack of progress in implementing the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: At an early stage, a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, agreed to accept former Guantánamo detainees cleared for release. To date, twenty-two former detainees have been received by EU Member States. I understand that in the case of certain other Member States, the consideration of whether or not to accept detainees is ongoing. Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Thailand is currently experiencing large scale demonstrations on the streets of the capital Bangkok. The rallies have been taking place since 12 March with anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters – supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - demanding the dissolution of Parliament and new elections. The Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has stated that he will not...