Results 7,721-7,740 of 50,213 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 20 June 2010, the second round of Presidential elections took place in Colombia. Juan Manuel Santos of the Social National Unity Party (Partido Social de Unidad National), was declared the winner with 69% of the vote while the Green Party candidate, Antanas Mockus, attained 27.5% of the vote. President-elect Santos will take office on 7 August. The Organization of American States...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated to the Deputy on 02 June last I have asked my officials to examine the feasibility of providing passport production equipment in other parts of the country. However, I do not expect that a decision in this regard will be made in the short term. The priority for the Passport Service at present is to reduce the substantial backlog in passport applications and to restore the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of China's announcement that it is planning to sell two nuclear reactors to Pakistan. This has raised concerns in the international community both in relation to undertakings by China regarding the transfer of nuclear goods, as well as potential proliferation risks associated with Pakistan. At the recent plenary meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, Ireland was among those who...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has highlighted an issue that is both current and sensitive, and it is true that food shortages give rise to discussion about the potential of genetically modified crops to feed the growing world population. We have a very clear position on this issue in relation to our aid programme. Ireland's support to the agricultural strategies of partner countries is provided within the...

Written Answers — Millennium Development Goals: Millennium Development Goals (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 380 together. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit in 2000 provide the framework for international development up to 2015. Progress on the MDGs will be reviewed at a UN Summit in New York in September. The Government has been actively engaged at the UN and with our EU partners to ensure that,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am extremely concerned about the situation of those in same-sex relationships in certain African countries. In many countries in Africa, though not all, same-sex relationships are illegal. Even where they are not illegal, they are often not well tolerated, with people suffering violence and discrimination as a result of their sexual orientation. At the same time, many such countries have...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the decision taken by the UN Secretary General on 22 June to appoint a Panel of Experts to advise on the issue of accountability with regard to alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka, which ended in May last year. The Panel will be made up of three distinguished legal officials, Mr Marzuki Darusman...

Written Answers — Hunger Eradication: Hunger Eradication (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The eradication of global hunger is a key component of Ireland's foreign policy and a cornerstone of our development programme. We recognise that strengthening international coordination and enhancing global governance for agriculture, food and nutrition security through a global partnership among development partners, which builds on existing institutions and fosters effective partnerships...

Written Answers — Disaster Relief: Disaster Relief (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 401 together. The entire world was deeply moved by the plight of the Haitian people following the earthquake on 14 January. The devastation wrought and the impact on peoples' lives were made all the worse by the levels of poverty experienced by most Haitians. The Government responded quickly to the events in Haiti by undertaking Irish Aid's...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Trade relations with Israel are determined at EU level. I have been very active in criticising and drawing attention to those aspects of Israeli policy with which we disagree, particularly in relation to the continuing occupation of Palestinian Territories. I will continue to do so, both directly and at EU and UN level, and also to encourage both Israelis and Palestinians who are prepared to...

Written Answers — Disputed Territories: Disputed Territories (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Rockall is a small uninhabitable rock, 25 by 30 metres wide, located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal. It marks a point at which the Rockall Bank, part of the very large Hatton-Rockall area of continental shelf extending under the north-east Atlantic Ocean, protrudes 21 metres above sea level....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the number of vacant posts in my Department's office in Limerick. Post Type Total Posts Occupied2008 Vacancies2008 Occupied2009 Vacancies2009 Occupied2010 Vacancies2010 Diplomatic 24 23 1 18 6 18 6 Non-diplomatic 114 102 12 98 18 97.5 16.5 Total 138 125 13 116 22 115.5 22.5 Staff numbers in my Department, like those across the civil service as a whole, have...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 93 together. Angola has undergone major development since the end of its civil war, one of the longest-running civil wars in Africa, in 2002. It has achieved rapid economic growth, thanks to a boom in oil production and high international oil prices. However, this wealth has not translated to the general population but has remained in the hands of a...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I spent last week visiting Uganda and Ethiopia, two of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. I visited Ethiopia from 30 June to 2 July. My main objective was to assess the impact of our development programme on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Ethiopia, and its contribution to...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: China has rapidly increased its engagement with nearly every African state in recent years. Trade between Africa and China has grown an average of 30% per annum in the past decade and now stands at over US$100 billion, making China the continent's second largest trading partner after the US. China shares with other major economic powers a desire to gain access to natural resources, but also...

Written Answers — United Nations Resolutions: United Nations Resolutions (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 22 June last to Parliamentary Question number 26769/10 regarding the extensive consultation process undertaken by my Department as part of the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. The guide referred to by the Deputy is a welcome addition to the extensive literature already in existence on how to shape a National Action Plan. The eight...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland supports African countries' efforts to achieve the aims of the Maputo Declaration in a variety of ways. We are directly engaged in the agricultural sector in a number of countries particularly Malawi and Tanzania. Ireland's programmes of General Budget Support are also helping our partner countries meet the Maputo Declaration target. We also support the Comprehensive African...

Written Answers — UN Conferences: UN Conferences (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The International AIDS Conference, held biennially, is an occasion for partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS to congregate and review progress over the preceding two years, look at the current context and plan for the future. The Irish delegation to the International AIDS Conference in Vienna will include a senior HIV and AIDS advisor from Headquarters, experienced HIV and AIDS advisers...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 382 together. The achievement of universal access to reproductive health is one of the objectives of the Programme of Action agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994. It is also an objective of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000. Specifically, the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government's White Paper on Irish Aid is the framework governing and guiding Ireland's overseas development programme, including the health sector. This overarching policy framework is further elaborated in documents such as Irish Aid's Health Policy and Strategy (2006) and the HIV and AIDS Policy and Strategy which is presently being updated. Health development policies emphasise the...