Results 43,021-43,040 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 391 together. Serbia submitted its application for EU membership in December 2009.At the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 25 October, Ministers unanimously decided to refer the application to the European Commission for its opinion.This is essentially a technical step and usually happens quickly following the submission of an application.The...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 390 together. The submission referred to by Deputy Wall concerns two newspaper articles regarding, respectively, the role of China in Africa and the UN report on what happened in the DRC between 1993 and 2003, in particular the role of other countries, including Rwanda. I am aware of the contrast often made between what has been perceived as the...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach has indicated already that it is right and timely that the transformation of relations between Britain and Ireland should be reflected in a State visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth. Reconciliation between Ireland and Great Britain has been hugely advanced over recent decades, most importantly through the working together of successive Irish and...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Embassy in London facilitated meetings for three Ministers during the period in question. The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D., visited London from 1 to 2 July 2010. She was invited to make a speech at the Embassy to some 120 representatives of the Irish International Business Network in support of the Embassy's work in promoting the Irish economy. Following the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no state agencies operating under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 378 of 12 October 2010 I am confident that the vast majority of international agreements which entered into force since 1937 have now been laid before the Dáil but it is possible that a small number of further agreements will be identified and any such agreements will be laid before the Dáil in due course. All historical agreements...

Written Answers — EU Strategy: EU Strategy (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the new Europe 2020 Strategy which was adopted by the European Council on 17 June and the Government fully supports the core elements. I believe that the Strategy will provide an essential framework for action by the EU and Member States to achieve higher levels of sustainable jobs and growth as economic recovery is secured. As the Deputy will be aware, the European Council has...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (27 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The process involved in Turkey's negotiations on EU Membership is based on rigorous conditionality, including with regard to the Copenhagen Criteria which cover political and economic dimensions as well as the ability to take on the Union's acquis. Progress has been made in some areas; in others it has been slow. Turkey still has substantial work ahead in meeting all the established...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs learned on the morning of Monday 11 October that a group of 31 Irish citizens, including members of the Killester United Football Club, had been refused entry to Brazil by the Immigration authorities at Sao Paolo. Having been advised of the problem at immigration, our Embassy in Brazil immediately contacted the Immigration service in Sao Paulo to ascertain...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. 2008 Grade Reason For Leaving the Department Entry to Grade Retirement Incentivised EarlyRetirement Other reasons for departure Promotions New recruits Other Service Officer 1 Not applicable in 2008 2 Cleaner 4 4 Civilian Driver 2 2 Clerical Officer 9 25 14 13 Personal Assistant 2 2 Personal...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (20 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department became aware of the alleged abduction of the child mentioned by the Deputy, an Irish citizen, on 4 June when his father contacted our Honorary Consul in Phuket to express his concern about his whereabouts. On 5 June, our Honorary Consul accompanied the father to the police in Phuket where he reported his son as having been abducted by his mother. On 9 June, the father appointed...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out in the table below. There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department. Post Numbers employed in 2008 Salary Scales Number employed in 2009 Salary Scales Temporary Clerical Officers 111 Clerical Officer Standard Scale€23,175- €37,584 per annum 53 Clerical Officer Standard Scale€23,175- €37,584 per...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has direct telecommunications contracts with eight providers namely AST Connections Ltd, BT Ireland, Colt, Datasat Communications Ltd, Eircom, Hibernia Atlantic, T Systems and Telstra International. These contracts are generally for a three year period. In addition, the Department draws down the services of O2 and Vodafone operating under the terms of the relevant Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has the following contracts in place with energy providers in the State: electricity supply agreements with the Electricity Supply Board for eight office premises located in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Balbriggan. They are standard business user agreements and costs are charged according to electricity used. agreements for the supply of gas with Bord Gáis to seven office...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. Since 2007, no new agencies, offices or state-owned companies have been established under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 138 on 12 October, which was as follows: "Ms. Mairead Maguire was refused entry to Israel on 28 September on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on a flight from Frankfurt. The basis for refusal was that she had been previously deported from Israel, most recently in June 2010 following her detention at sea on board the Rachel Corrie . She appealed this...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: In late June I became aware of an allegation that one of a group of persons arrested for allegedly carrying out long-term, "deep cover" assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation had travelled to Moscow using a false Irish passport. I immediately asked the Passport Service and An Garda Síochána to undertake an investigation into this allegation and this...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (19 Oct 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. Proofs of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Eleven officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs are currently e-working under a pilot e-working scheme introduced by the Department in 2006. The scheme provides for up to 15 officers to e-work, and was originally fully subscribed. In 2008 the scheme was extended for a further two years and a reserve list of 19 officers who expressed an interest in participating was created. It is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: A total of 151 officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs are currently availing of the civil service work-sharing scheme, of whom 8 are male and 143 are female officers. My Department makes every effort to accommodate applications for work-sharing and other work/life balance schemes, including the shorter working year and the flexible working hours schemes. On occasion, however, notably...