Results 7,941-7,960 of 50,213 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated in reply to previous questions on this matter, Cement Roadstone Holdings owns a minority shareholding of approximately 25% in Mashav Initiating and Development Limited, which is the holding company for the main Israeli cement producer, Nesher. This 25% stake does not give CRH any control over Nesher's operational matters. The Israeli company supplies cement to all of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Until the enactment of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, there was no basis in Irish law or no arrangements in place for formally recognising unmarried partners of diplomatic staff serving abroad. The question of the effect of this new legislation, when commenced, on future arrangements for unmarried partners of diplomatic staff serving abroad,...

Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which human rights defenders, including trade union activists have been treated in Colombia. Every death is a tragedy. Despite the Colombian Government's efforts and some progress achieved, the Colombian state institutions have not yet been able to fully address the issue of violence against human rights...

Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the visit by Deputies Higgins, Kitt, Breen and Senator Daly to Colombia. I applaud Deputy Higgins on that initiative. It is important that Oireachtas representatives visit such locations to see and hear at first hand from a variety of different perspectives. This adds value to our consideration of the situation. I agree with the basic points made by Deputy Higgins in regard to...

Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept that human rights are residual. The Deputy's point is well made. I, too, have made the point that the agreement represents an opportunity to up-front the human rights dimension and to get greater delivery. The agreement includes a number of binding commitments to implement core labour environmental conventions. It also foresees a mechanism for the monitoring of the...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The north-south peace process in Sudan is at a critical juncture as the country prepares for a referendum on self-determination for the south and a separate referendum on the status of the district of Abyei on 9 January 2011. The referenda are envisaged by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA, which brought an end to the north-south conflict in Sudan. Ireland and the EU believe that...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: There has been significant international engagement with this issue for some time, particularly at the UN, which is leading the efforts to co-ordinate works on the ground. The US has been very involved as well through President Obama's special envoy whom we met some time back. He gave us a good appraisal of the situation, albeit that was more than 12 months ago. The EU is concerned about...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: At the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Certainly. It was on the agenda of the last Council meeting and we will continue to raise it. I will take on board what the Deputy said.

EU Membership (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 22 July the International Court of Justice, ICJ, delivered its advisory opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo. The court's advisory ruling held, by a majority of ten to four, that the declaration of independence did not violate international law, Security Council Resolution 1244 or the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self Government of Kosovo....

EU Membership (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are clearly at an early stage in the process and, therefore, a specific timeframe has not been set. The very fact that both parties have indicated a willingness to engage represents significant progress, which is positive. We must not lose sight of the fact that there is still tension, particularly in the predominantly Serb areas of northern Kosovo. Dialogue is extremely important to...

EU Membership (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. It is important that the progressive forces in both countries are allowed to win the day and that the process is not allowed to drag on too long but we know from our own history that in situations such as this, where there have been significant difficulties and so on historically, the very fact that dialogue has commenced is a good sign. It is important that we, at...

Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States remains an important priority for this Government. The Government is also committed to working with our friends in Congress to enhance Ireland's bilateral visa arrangements with the US through the establishment of a two-year renewable E-3 visa facility. I am very much aware of the difficulties confronting undocumented...

Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I know of the Deputy's long-standing commitment to this and accept what he is saying. I have met people who could not come home for the funerals of loved ones and it is a difficult position to be in. I indicated in my reply and to the immigration reform movement that there is an obligation on us, with every opportunity for discussion, to tell people not to go to the United States unless...

Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is very limited and restrictive in terms of implementation. The talks on Monday were with a view to bringing more flexibility into the issue. In our talks with immigration centres, it emerged that people on that agreement could eventually go to a better quality visa in the United States. I foresee a long hard slog in this respect with regard to refining existing arrangements and...

Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Before those elections we were not that close either, if we are to be honest. By this I mean the domestic political context in the United States is making it very difficult for legislators, even those who are for this reform by instinct. They must consider the security of their own seats, for example, and the issue is as basic and straightforward as that. Many people who are advocates for...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7, 30, 36 and 122 together. The launch of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on 2 September was a very important step towards peace in the Middle East, achieved after long effort by President Obama and his Administration. Unfortunately the talks were very quickly suspended again when the partial Israeli moratorium on settlement construction expired on...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Absolutely. We are, of course, aware of the different political perspectives towards the talks within Israel, as well as the different perspectives within Palestinian society and between different groups. This is one of the reasons we have been strong advocates for Palestinian reconciliation. In my meetings with the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Arab League at the UN Assembly, we...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the comments of Mr. John Ging. I am deeply disappointed at the lack of progress in regard to the Gaza situation because, as the Deputy may recall, at the time of the flotilla crisis and the appalling loss of life, there was a significant meeting of Foreign Ministers which was addressed by Mr. Tony Blair and by Commissioner Georgieva in regard to development and the need to see...

Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: However, as Deputy Barrett said, the real issue is that we need significant infrastructural investment, much of which is guaranteed by international organisations and countries. Some countries, such as Germany and France, have provided significant up-front funding to do very significant infrastructural work.