Results 7,821-7,840 of 50,213 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: My response to the Deputy's first question is, yes the name has been a disaster. On the second question, to use the Afghanistan context is not fair in the context of the question being asked because I can foresee situations where the presence of the military can be advantageous to humanitarian assistance. Indeed, it can be indispensable to the provision of humanitarian aid.

Written Answers — EU Foreign Policy: EU Foreign Policy (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: For many years there have been discussions between the EU and NATO on questions of common interest related to crisis management. This is not surprising considering that twenty-one EU Member States are also members of NATO. In addition, where both the EU and NATO operate in the same area, cooperation on practical issues is logical and enhances the security of EU personnel deployed, including...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The systematic mass rapes which were carried out in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in July and August, in Luvungi and several other locations, were appalling and despicable. Ireland fully shared in the international condemnation of those responsible, which included statements by EU and UN representatives. In their 27th August joint statement on the violence, EU High...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The current phase of negotiations to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem began in September 2008, under the auspices of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Alexander Downer. By the end of March 2010, over 70 rounds of talks had taken place between President Christofias, the leader of the Greek Cypriots, and Mehmet Ali Talat, the then leader of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 90 and 142 together. The 2006 Comprehensive Study on the All- Island economy identified the need to build on our competitive strengths, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and R&D. The recently published Innovation Task Force report was also clear on the benefits to be gained – not least to border regions - from jointly branding and promoting our...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland fully supports the free movement of persons within the European Union, which constitutes one of the fundamental freedoms underpinning the internal market. The Free Movement Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC) sets out the entitlement of EU citizens to free movement across the EU. Under Article 7 of the Directive, a Union citizen may reside in another Member State for a period of more...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The security procedures associated with the issuing of the Irish passport are under constant review. Passport Service staff remain in regular contact with other passport agencies worldwide to ensure that 'best practice' lessons are learned. I understand that a new UK passport will issue shortly and that this passport book will incorporate new security features. I am satisfied that the...

Written Answers — Overseas Elections: Overseas Elections (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: A general election was held in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 3 October. Under Bosnia-Herzegovina's complex constitutional system voting took place for the three-person state-level Presidency, the state-level House of Representatives as well as at a regional level within the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic. Provisional results indicate gains for moderates in the Federation while the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 95, 128 and 387 together. On 7 August 2010 President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón was inaugurated as President of Colombia. In his inauguration address, President Santos indicated that one of his fundamental aims as President will be to re-establish ties with Venezuela and Ecuador, to restore trust between them and to privilege diplomacy and prudence in their...

Written Answers — North Korean Leadership: North Korean Leadership (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: There has been intense speculation about political developments in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, following the announcement late last month of the promotion of Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of current leader, Kim Jong-il, to the rank of four-star general. The promotion was announced to the North Korean media agency following the Worker's Party congress, the first to be held in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service, the EEAS, is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty to support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The Treaty provides that the EEAS will comprise officials from relevant departments of the Commission and the Council Secretariat, as well as staff seconded from the national diplomatic...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently five bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department: the Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC); the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon); the Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Foreign Affairs/NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights; and the Fulbright Commission (e Board of the Ireland...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: In June I received a copy of the Passport Service investigation into the use of forged Irish passports in a Dubai incident. This investigation reached the conclusion that an Israeli government agency was responsible for the misuse and, most likely, the manufacture of the forged Irish passports associated with the murder in Dubai. As a result of my recommendation to Government, and by way of...

Written Answers — Terrorist Attacks: Terrorist Attacks (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: While I am aware of the recent travel advisories issued by other countries to their citizens travelling to Europe, it is the Department of Foreign Affairs that issues detailed travel advice for the benefit of Irish citizens travelling or resident abroad. The Department's advice is available on its website, www.dfa.ie. It reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved and is based on...

Written Answers — United Nations General Assembly: United Nations General Assembly (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: A major event marking the opening of this year's General Assembly session was the High Level Summit meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) convened by Secretary General Ban and which took place from 20-22 September. I was honoured to head the Irish Delegation to this important event and to deliver Ireland's statement to the Summit on 21 September in which I restated Ireland's...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 386 together. I can assure the Deputy that I recognise the need for all countries in the Western Balkans, including Serbia, to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The EU's Stabilisation and Association Agreement process provides the framework for cooperation on economic, political and legal...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland continues to support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, as well as the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the territory based on the principle of self-determination. UN Secretary General Ban's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, is continuing his efforts to convene direct negotiations...

Written Answers — Overseas Elections: Overseas Elections (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The development of Ethiopia as a stable and democratic State is of great importance to Ireland and to the European Union. Ethiopia is one of the priority countries within our official development cooperation programme and is an important and influential country in the Horn of Africa region. Elections to the House of Representatives and the State Councils took place in Ethiopia in May 2010....

Written Answers — International Investigations: International Investigations (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: In the wake of the events of 31 May, I echoed the call of the President of the UN Security Council on 1 June for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards", and I spoke in support of the efforts of Secretary General Ban to establish a panel along these lines. On 2 August the Secretary General announced the setting up of a 4-person...

Written Answers — Overseas Elections: Overseas Elections (12 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Presidential and legislative elections took place on 3 October in Brazil. The results of the Presidential election gave 46.9% of the vote to Workers' Party (PT) candidate Dilma Rousseff, 32.6% to José Serra of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PDSB), and 19.3% to Marina Silva of the Green Party (PV). As no candidate achieved more than 50% of the votes cast, a second round in the...