Results 7,981-8,000 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of reports that there have been abuses perpetuated by British soldiers in prison facilities in Iraq. I welcome the fact that these serious allegations have been brought to UK courts of law for detailed consideration as to whether further actions such as judicial review or prosecution of alleged perpetrators are merited. Of particular importance is a case being brought by lawyers...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently two Irish Embassies in South America – in Argentina and Brazil. The Embassy in Buenos Aires is accredited to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay on a non-resident basis. The Irish Embassy in Mexico is also accredited to a number of other countries in South and Central America, namely Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and Venezuela. The diplomatic network is supported by...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: At its meeting on 28 and 29 October, the European Council asked President Van Rompuy to undertake consultations with Member States including on the question of creating a permanent crisis resolution mechanism and the possibility of limited Treaty change required to that effect. I understand that bilateral consultations will begin later this month between President Van Rompuy's office and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 50 together. Colombia was one of sixteen countries to be reviewed at the session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, which took place in Geneva between 1 and 15 December 2008. Ireland participated actively at the session, putting questions and recommendations to seven countries, including Colombia. The...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Union is committed to the elimination of anti-personnel landmines worldwide and is one of the leading donors for the clearance and destruction of landmines. The EU is also a major contributor to providing humanitarian support for the victims of landmines. The Second Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Landmine (Ottawa) Convention was hosted by Colombia in 2009, and in June...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 38 together. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the statement issued by High Representative Catherine Ashton on 8 October, in which she congratulated this year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Liu Xiaobo, and reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to supporting the efforts of human rights defenders worldwide. Deputies will be aware of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 47 together. Ireland and the European Union regard all Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories as illegal. However, without prejudice to that position, the partial freeze on new settlement construction in the first half of this year, limited as it was, was an important element in creating the atmosphere to allow substantive...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 123 together. Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. Ireland, both bilaterally and in association with the European Union and other like-minded partners, makes frequent and numerous interventions with regard to human rights concerns in the countries which have the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights...

Written Answers — EU Accession: EU Accession (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Commission adopted its 2010 Enlargement Package on 9 November. Commissioner for Enlargement and External Relations Stefan Fuele emphasised the importance of the EU's Enlargement policy and stressed the significance of credibility in the process, in terms of conditionality and the efforts of candidate counties. Regarding Croatia, the Commission confirmed that the accession...

Written Answers — EU Budgets: EU Budgets (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Last May the European Commission adopted its draft budget for 2011 proposing a 5.9% increase in payment appropriations over 2010. The Council's position, adopted in August, approved 2.91% in payment appropriations. The European Parliament in October reversed the funding reduction by the Council and set a 2011 budget at close to the Commission's initial draft budget. As no agreement was...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The continued captivity in Gaza of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped from Israel by Palestinian militants in June 2006, represents a deplorable situation for the soldier and his family, which I have repeatedly condemned. I would once again appeal for his release and his return to his family in Israel. It is also deplorable that the Red Cross has been refused access to him,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Union is taking action in a number of ways to assist the Saharawi people. EU member states provide funding and assistance to Saharawi refugees through the EU's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection office (ECHO). ECHO has provided over €155 million assistance to Saharawi refugees since its inception in 1993, making it one of the most important donors to the Saharawi camps. In...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned by the recent upsurge in attacks against Chaldean and other Christians in Iraq, including the horrific attack against defenceless worshippers at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on 31 October which left 52 people dead. I fully support EU High Representative Ashton's statements on these attacks on 1 and 3 November. It is deeply regrettable for Iraq as a whole that...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 46 together. On 3 September last, the Foreign Ministers of Sweden and Finland proposed setting up an EU Institute for Peace, which would engage in conflict resolution activities worldwide and develop the EU's capacity to engage in mediation activities. The announcement of this proposal coincided with a period of intense efforts to establish the European...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The following Irish citizens have been appointed by High Representative Ashton to the European External Action Service: Mr William Hanna has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Dhaka. Mr Paul Malin has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Maputo. Mr Gerard McGovern has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation, Gaborone. Mr David O'Sullivan has been appointed as Chief...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 125 together. 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...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I condemn those responsible for the planting of explosive devices in Northern Ireland and all other forms of attack against the PSNI and local communities. Such attacks have no agenda beyond that of trying to destabilise and undermine the peace process. I extend best wishes for a speedy recovery to the 3 PSNI officers who were injured in a particularly sinister attack as they were attending...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 130 together. I have continued to follow closely developments in relation to the blockade of Gaza following the announcement by Israel in June of a significant easing of the terms of the blockade. The move to a transparent negative list of items not allowed to enter Gaza has largely resolved the problem of uncertainty and lack of consistency in...

Written Answers — United Nations Iniatives: United Nations Iniatives (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland believes strongly in the need for reform of the United Nations aimed at improving the performance and effectiveness of the Organisation so that it can continue to provide necessary leadership to develop effective multilateral responses to the major global challenges. The reform task includes, in particular, reform of the major UN organs so that they are fit for purpose and adjusted to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such Agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...