Results 8,021-8,040 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). Under Vote 28, I expect there will be an overspend of approximately €15.2 million on Subhead I (Contributions to International Organisations) in 2010. This will be partly offset by savings of €1.8 million on the Administrative Budget and €1 million in Subhead C (Support for...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The 'Gateway Ireland' website project was one of the specific initiatives to emerge from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. The proposal was made by Mr John McColgan at the Forum and has subsequently been taken forward by a private sector group led by him. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and multi-layered online facility, through which the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The importance of Irish culture in promoting Ireland, including Irish business, abroad was a prominent theme at the Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh House in September, 2009. During the course of the Forum, Mr Dermot Desmond proposed that a 'world class' centre or University for the performing arts and Irish culture be established in a landmark building in Ireland. The goal...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The creation of the new Global Irish Network was one of the key recommendations arising from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. I was delighted to formally announce the establishment of the Network in February this year at the Irish Embassy in London. Since then, regional meetings have also been held in France, Germany, China, Australia and, most recently,...

Order of Business (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: This is going to be a Second Stage speech.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am gravely concerned about the case of Mrs. Aasia Bibi. On 9 November, Mrs. Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in a Punjab court for blasphemy. I understand that this is the first time a woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under its blasphemy law. When reports of the case came to the attention of my Department, a senior official contacted the Embassy of Pakistan to express...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: The cost of energy usage by my Department in the State in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 was as follows: 2008 â'¬594,850 2009 â'¬676,023 2010 â'¬600,656 In addition to building-related energy usage, these costs also include Topaz charge card payments in respect of the purchase of fuel for official delivery vehicles, in accordance with a multi-departmental arrangement put...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: On the 6th of June my Department became aware of the death of the person mentioned by him in Morocco and consular assistance was provided to his family through our Embassy in Lisbon, our Honorary Consul in Casablanca and the Consular Assistance Section. At the time of his death our Embassy and the Honorary Consul made every effort to facilitate the work of the respective undertakers, whom...

Written Answers — Product Labelling: Product Labelling (30 Nov 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together. Goods from settlements in the West Bank are not entitled to avail of the reduced tariff which applies to Israeli goods entering the EU. I have stated in response to previous questions on this topic that I believe it would be helpful to consumers to be able to distinguish between goods from Israel, goods produced by the Palestinian...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Government Departments do not directly pay for the legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office or for advice from Counsel briefed by them. My Department has a Legal Division, staffed by qualified legal professionals who provide legal advice on a wide range of international legal issues. Having such...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As you are aware, the Passports Act, 2008 provides that the Minister can only issue passports to persons who are Irish citizens. This provision in Irish law means that no passport can be issued to the person in question unless he obtains Irish citizenship. From the information provided by you, it is clear that no application for citizenship has been made by this man with the Department of...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (2 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that that person is an Irish citizen. Documentary proof in respect of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required for all passport applications. The Passport Service has no record of a passport application from the person in question and does not have...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I stated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions regarding the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, most recently on 6 July last, promoting religious tolerance is a key objective of Ireland and the EU in relations with Pakistan. Bilaterally, and through the EU, we have urged the government of Pakistan to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the names, titles and annual salaries of the staff appointed by me. Name Title Salary Scale Christy Mannion Special Advisor Principal Officer Standard Scale €80,051- €98,424 plus a 10% attraction allowance Tim Conlon Special Advisor Principal Officer Standard Scale€80,051- €98,424 Elizabeth O'Donoghue Personal Assistant Secretarial Assistant Scale...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: Since my previous reply to the Deputy, PQ 131 of 23rd September, 2009, the status of the case of the missing Irish girl in Spain has not changed. Our Embassy in Madrid remains in contact with the Guardia Civil in relation to the case and is ready to assist her family in whatever way possible. I am informed that, unfortunately, there are no new definitive leads as to her whereabouts. However,...

Written Answers — Misuse of Passports: Misuse of Passports (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: Earlier this year I became aware of allegations that persons accused of carrying out long-term, "deep cover" assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation may have used fraudulent Irish passports. On being made aware of these allegations I asked the Passport Service and An Garda Síochána to undertake an investigation. I understand that the Gardaí have since...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are three bodies operating under the aegis of my Department to which I have appointed members in the past twelve months. These are: the Ireland - United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission); the Development Education Advisory Committee and the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group. The details requested are outlined in the table below. None of the members have...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to ensure that all domestic workers at Embassies are treated fairly and works with Embassies and relevant Departments to encourage best practice in this area, consistent with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. In the course of this year we have introduced additional requirements for diplomats wishing to employ domestic servants from abroad...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs; and The Board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission). The Fulbright Commission is financed jointly by the Irish and US Governments but it enjoys autonomy of management and administration in...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (7 Dec 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are currently no industrial disputes or industrial actions of any kind involving the staff of my Department.