Results 43,121-43,140 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Direct Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (6 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The 2006 Comprehensive Study on the All-Island economy identified the need to build on our competitive strengths, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and R&D. The recently published Innovation Task Force report was also clear on the benefits to be gained – not least to border regions - from jointly branding and promoting our 'Innovation Island'. An important initiative in this...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Three individuals are currently in receipt of public service pensions direct from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The pensions relate to employment in the former Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) which was integrated into the Department a number of years ago. The annual amount in each case is less than €20,000. There are no public bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: Details of expenditure by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Irish language training in 2009 and 2010 are set out in the following table, which also shows the number of officers that participated in the training. Year Expenditure Number of officers 2009 â'¬430 3 2010 â'¬1,505 4 My Department is currently finalising arrangements for the provision of Irish language classes for its...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (5 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives. The aim is to highlight the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development and to draw attention to their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social inclusion. It is hoped that this UN initiative will help enhance public awareness of cooperatives and their...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (5 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: No record of the authorities of the State having received any such representations or proposals has been located in my Department.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (5 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: No record of the authorities of the State having received any such notification has been located in my Department.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: I drew attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran in my address to the UN General Assembly on 27 September. In my remarks, I called upon Iran to respect and fulfil the international obligations it has undertaken in the field of human rights. I referred to some profoundly disturbing recent instances of human rights abuses, including the appalling sentencing of Ms Sakineh...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 Oct 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. While my Department has an overall coordinating role in EU matters, responsibility for transposing EU measures into law rests with those Departments with responsibility for the policy areas covered by individual EU measures. My colleague, Mr Dick Roche T.D., Minister of State for European Affairs, chairs an...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy refers to the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian mother of two whose stoning sentence has caused the gravest concern in Ireland and internationally. The case of Ms. Ashtianai has been raised with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland by officials in my Department who have conveyed in the strongest terms that Ireland is completely opposed to the use of stoning, a practice...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 and 1203 together. The Deputy will be aware of the Government's strong views on the illegality of the construction of the separation barrier on occupied land. While we recognise the responsibility on the Israeli Government to provide for the security of its citizens, I have regularly expressed my serious concern about the negative consequences of the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The scheme whereby passports should be available free to persons aged 65 and over was introduced in 2005. Given the current budgetary situation and the need to cover the cost of passport production, I have no plans to reduce passport fees for any category of citizen.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The requested details for my Department during the periods in question are set out below. 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D. Grade/Position Location Number Remuneration Executive Officer Iveagh House, Dublin 1.00 Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €30,516 – €47,975 per annum Personal Assistant Cork 1.00 Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,023 – €42,122...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, including teachers and human rights defenders have been treated in Colombia. Colombia has witnessed the longest period of upheaval of any country in Latin America — over 50 years in all. The Colombian people have endured relentless suffering, reflected in the more than two million...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government is closely engaged at the European Union and international level in monitoring the situation in Burma and in supporting the struggle of the Burmese people for democracy and human rights. I have met with representatives of some of the main ethnic minority groups in the country. I remain deeply concerned about the allegations that have been made by these groups that they have...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office database records and collates data on applicants by place of birth rather than place of residence. In many cases this information is incomplete or inaccurate e.g. applicants may specify place of birth as Ireland rather than their county of birth. It is therefore possible only to give estimated figures in response to this question. It is estimated that approximately...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in one building in the State, Ground Floor, Findlater House, 27-31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The premises are used by the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre and is fully occupied. All other rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in one building in the State, Ground Floor, Findlater House, 27-31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The lease on these premises was negotiated by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department . The details requested by the Deputy are as follows: The area rented is 636 metres square. The rental cost in 2010 is €419,175. The lease is for...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 12 August last I confirmed that the Passport Service had cleared the backlog of applications allowing the resumption of normal processing times. For passports submitted through the Passport Express and the Northern Ireland Postal Express services, a return within 10 working days is now guaranteed. This service is available through local post offices and offers the simplest and most...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out details of mobile phone bills paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the numbers of staff who are provided with mobile phones over the period 2007 to 2010 to date. The Department avails of the Mobile Telephony Services Framework operated by the Department of Finance. Under this Framework, O Year Amount Spent on Mobile Telephony Services No of Staff provided...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Sep 2010)

Micheál Martin: The table below gives details of the number of staff by grade employed by my Department. Grade Number (September 2010) Secretary General 1.00 Second Secretary General 2.00 Deputy Secretary General 5.00 Assistant Secretary General/Legal Adviser/Chief Medical Officer 38.00 Principal Development Specialist/Higher Principal Officer/Counsellor/Principal Officer/Senior Development...