Results 7,621-7,640 of 50,213 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I addressed a special debate in the Dáil on 1 June in relation to the deaths which occurred the previous day when Israeli forces intercepted and carried out a military assault on the Free Gaza flotilla. I spoke again on the subject in the Seanad on 2 June. These debates were important opportunities for members to express the shock and concern felt in the country, and on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (16 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the primary responsibility for promoting Irish trade rests with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. However, my Department has an important role to play in this area and I have set the promotion of our economic interests abroad as one of the key priorities for our Missions overseas. Ireland's trade with China has increased very substantially over...

Written Answers — Travel Documentation: Travel Documentation (16 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: Irish passports are valid in Spain, including the Canary Islands, until the date of expiry written on the document. This has been confirmed with the Embassy of Spain in Dublin. In these circumstances the child should have no difficulty in travelling.

Order of Business. (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: An unfortunate choice of words.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The individual in question may qualify for Irish citizenship by descent through Foreign Births Registration or through naturalisation. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2004, the basic requirement for obtaining citizenship by descent, through Foreign Births Registration (FBR), is that an applicant's parent was an Irish citizen at the time of the applicant's birth. A...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The application in question was received in the Passport Office on 26 May, 2010. The applicant informed the Passport Office of her impending travel and arrangements were made for the passport to be collected on Friday 18 June at the Passport Office in Molesworth Street.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no canteens or commercially run cafes in any of the office premises used by my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes: Vote 28 Foreign Affairs and Vote 29 International Cooperation. The Department operates a restrictive policy for the use of corporate credit cards for official expenditure. The use of credit cards in making payments is subject to the same authorisation and control procedures as other forms of payment. While the credit card...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (22 Jun 2010)

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

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently three special advisors* engaged by my Department. The roles and functions carried out by the special advisors are as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am satisfied that the special advisors contribute to the effectiveness of the work of my Department in a manner and to an extent that fully justifies the associated costs. A total of seven...

Written Answers — UN Resolutions: UN Resolutions (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Conflict Resolution Unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs is taking the lead role in the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The Resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace building processes; the protection of women and girls in armed conflict; and the incorporation of a...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: Procedures for dealing with Ministerial correspondence, including representations made by Members of the Oireachtas, have been in place in my Department for a number of years. Related guidelines were formalised in line with requirements under the 2002 Civil Service Customer Charter Initiative and were most recently up-dated in October 2009. Under the guidelines the division handling the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. On 21 June 2010, there were 65,202 applications in the system. Passport Service staff continue to work overtime to assist in keeping the number of applications in the system to a minimum. In the last week, additional staff have commenced work in the Passport Service and will be working to clear this backlog. While this will take some...

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

Micheál Martin: The application in question was received through the Passport Express Service on 31 May, 2010. Applications submitted through this service are now guaranteed to be processed within 22 working days. If the applicant is required to travel urgently he should contact the passport office and provide details of his travel itinerary so that his application can be expedited.

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together. The Kimberley Process (KP) is a cooperative effort between governments, civil society and industry groups to stem the flow of "conflict diamonds." Conflict diamonds are defined as rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process involves the control of diamond production and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (24 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the Union has exclusive competence for the EU's Common Commercial Policy. In international trade negotiations, the Commission negotiates on behalf of the Union, on the basis of a mandate that it receives from the Council. On 1 March, negotiations on a Multiparty Free Trade Agreement between the EU and two member states of the Andean Community –...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to answer Questions Nos.180 and 181 together. The total expenses claimed by the Secretary General of my department, by Deputy Secretaries and by Assistant Secretaries in respect of travel and entertainment are set out in the tables below. Travel (including foreign travel) 2007€ 2008€ 2009€ 2010 to date € Secretary GeneralDermot Gallagher (up to 01/2009)David Cooney...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (29 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government continues to attach a high priority to supporting Irish communities abroad. In recent years, funding for the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by my Department, has substantially increased; from €4.1M in 2004 to over €15M in 2009. The primary focus of the Programme is on the provision of welfare and support services to vulnerable or marginalised Irish...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: I utterly condemn the murder of over 90 members of the Ahmadiyya community in Lahore, as well as the terrible injuries visited upon so many others as they worshipped in two mosques in the city on 28 May. Nothing can justify attacks which cause such senseless carnage and destruction. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government, I once again extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The application in question was received through the Passport Express Service on 11 June, 2010. Applications submitted through this service are now guaranteed to be processed within 22 working days. If the applicant is required to travel urgently he should contact the passport office and provide details of his travel itinerary so that his application can be expedited.