Results 7,341-7,360 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The persistence of the conflict in Darfur, albeit at a lower level than the intense violence of 2003-2004, and the ongoing suffering of the people in the region are of grave concern. The UN estimates that the past seven years of conflict there have resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 people and the displacement of nearly three million. The Doha peace process is the focal point for...

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

Micheál Martin: There are no state agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.

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

Micheál Martin: The number of Irish Passports issued over the last five years are as follows: Year Total Passports issued 2005 630,000 2006 630,000 2007 601,000 2008 576,617 2009 579,508

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

Micheál Martin: A passport application for the named person was registered with the Passport Office in Balbriggan on 8 March, 2010. It was received through the Passport Express service which is a ten day guarantee service that is provided by the Passport Office in partnership with An Post. However, due to industrial action the Passport Express guarantee was suspended on 4 March. As a result it is presently...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 292 and 298 together. Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving stability in the countries of the Western Balkans which were recognised as having the perspective of EU membership at the 2003 European Council in Thessaloniki. The European Union's Stabilisation and Association process provides the framework for...

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

Micheál Martin: There are two main international military missions in the Western Balkans, both of which are under a UN mandate: the EU mission EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). Both missions are currently undergoing transformation. EUFOR Althea, a more than 1,900-strong mission, continues to provide a military presence that contributes to the calm and stable...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The issue of enlargement was discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the December 2009 General Affairs Council. The Council's conclusions, subsequently endorsed by the European Council, underlined that enlargement is based on consolidating commitments, fair and rigorous conditionality and the EU's capacity to integrate new members, and that each country is assessed on its own merits. The General...

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

Micheál Martin: No part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses, and some countries in Africa also experience war and hunger. As I have stated on previous occasions in answer to very similar questions, it is not the policy of the Government to list countries most seriously affected by such issues, and I shall therefore not focus on individual countries. Human rights concerns remain central to...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland takes an active interest in the successful resolution of the Cyprus problem. The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement. The Government fully supports the leadership of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in this important work. He visited Cyprus last month to meet leaders of the two communities and encourage them to intensify their efforts to...

Written Answers — Lisbon Treaty: Lisbon Treaty (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009, following its ratification by all EU Member States. A number of measures are now required to give full effect to the Treaty and the Spanish Presidency has attached the highest priority to this work. This task has been greatly facilitated by the preparations for the Treaty's entry into force which included the election of Herman Van...

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

Micheál Martin: The application for this person was registered in the Passport Office in Balbriggan (PPOB) on 4 March, 2010. As result of disruptions to passport services due to industrial action, there was a delay in the processing of this application. On 23 March, the application was checked for passport entitlement. Unfortunately, the application could not be finalised for passport issue because the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made a number of recommendations to Government in respect of my Department. These were considered in the context of this year's budget and public service estimates and it was decided to implement a number of them in full or in part. Recommendation in the report of the Special Group Comment Overseas Missions savings A...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should not underestimate his own role on that committee.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am waiting for the committee to refer back to me.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: For what programme?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: May I make a few brief remarks?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I bow to the ruling of the Chair.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has raised this issue at various stages. To be frank, the existing position has prevailed for some time and it may be opportune to have a review. I will discuss having a review of the situation with my colleagues in Government, without any commitment either way. Ireland is not a party to Schengen. As it develops with regard to visa arrangements with other countries,...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Council did not consider the matter of the European External Action Service, EEAS. Substantial work has been carried out in recent weeks on the EEAS. In my view, it is potentially one of the most important innovations of the Lisbon treaty and supports the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. We had discussions...

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: No, there is further work to be done on them. At the meeting, the President of the European Parliament voiced certain reservations about some of the proposals. It is a work in progress. There will be engagement with the Parliament.