Results 42,941-42,960 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: There are several countries in Africa which are suffering from conflict, food shortages, and human rights abuses, and some which have suffered genocide. I do not propose to go into details on each of them individually. The international community continues to intervene to address these issues on the African continent, whether on a bilateral or multilateral basis. With regard to the issue of...
- Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: At its meeting of 28-29 October, the European Council endorsed the report of the task force on economic governance chaired by President Herman Van Rompuy and agreed on the need for Member States to establish a permanent crisis mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area. The European Council has agreed to revert to the matter at its next meeting on 16 and 17 December,...
- 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.
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: And Saudi Arabia and others. It is extremely frustrating that this has not happened because it undermines confidence among Palestinians and, in particular, among moderate Palestinian and Arab opinion that people are serious about a resolution. That is a significant by-product of all of this, apart altogether from the imperative of the humanitarian situation and the need to get...
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: The EU is a very significant donor to the Middle East.
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: At the conference at Sharm el-Sheikh almost two years ago huge volumes of aid were promised for Gaza which have not materialised because of the obstacles put in the way of the aid. To be fair, the United States has been a significant donor to the Palestinian Authority and to the establishment of the authority's mechanisms and systems of government. The Deputy is correct in the sense that...
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: So does the EU. We are working together in the context of the Quartet along with Russia and others to try to effect a multilateral solution.
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: I accept that there has been a clear lack of continuity in the various talks which have taken place throughout the years. We have had this discussion before. The situation of such a secretariat or where it would be located would require the agreement of both parties but it would represent an important value-added contribution to the process. Previously, it has been explained to me that the...
- Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: Yes.
- Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 18, 21, 25, 29, 40, 117 and 124 together. I welcome the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from her arbitrary house arrest. Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained, in one form or another, by the Burmese authorities since leading her political party, the National League for Democracy, to victory in the 1990 elections. During that time, she has come to symbolise...
- Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: Ireland has been particularly strong in supporting Burma at home and internationally, and I commend those who have been supportive of the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi in particular, including Mr. Kilgallen and others who have been effective in keeping the issue alive in Irish public opinion. We have raised the issue of Burma and acted bilaterally with its neighbours, and we believe they can play...
- Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2010)
Micheál Martin: -----and farcical. It remains to be seen what happens in the aftermath of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. I have covered that in my reply.