Results 43,161-43,180 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (7 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW54), which took place in New York from 1-12 March 2010, was also the occasion of a fifteen year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action is an agenda for women's empowerment which aims to ensure equality of access of women to their human rights and to remove all...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is in the nature of the work of my Department that staff members transfer between Divisions at HQ, and indeed to Missions abroad, on a regular basis. In addition to this routine rotation, some staff may apply, for personal reasons, for transfers to other Government Departments or public bodies. The table below sets out the number of applications received, since 1 January 2007, from...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The training budget for my Department in 2010 is €575,000. There has been no reduction since the initial allocation in the estimates. The total spent in the first half of 2010 was €198,617, representing 34.5% of the allocation. Patterns of training expenditure in previous years show that more than 60% of the allocation is drawn down in the second half of the year.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McCormack woke up very cranky this morning.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland takes an active interest in the successful resolution of the Cyprus question. The UN has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement and the Government fully supports the leadership of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Representative Alexander Downer in this important work. We will continue to encourage progress towards the achievement of a bi-zonal,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the headquarters of Irish Aid, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, has moved to Limerick. The decentralisation of Irish Aid is fully complete and is making an important contribution to the economy of Limerick and the Mid-West region. It also contributes to civic life in the area...

Written Answers — Europe 2020 Strategy: Europe 2020 Strategy (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government welcomes the new Strategy which was adopted by the European Council on 17 June and fully supports the core elements as they have been agreed. We believe that the Strategy will provide an essential framework for action by the EU and its Member States to achieve higher levels of sustainable jobs and growth as economic recovery is secured. We are very satisfied with the broad...

Written Answers — Certificates of Irish Heritage: Certificates of Irish Heritage (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 377 together. The establishment of a Certificate of Irish Heritage was proposed in the Strategic Review of Ireland-US Relations, published in March 2009. The initiative is being taken forward by the Government in direct response to a strong demand for such a scheme among those members of our Diaspora who are not entitled to Irish citizenship and is a...

Written Answers — Death of United States Senator: Death of United States Senator (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a true American statesman, a hero to the state of West Virginia, and a true friend to the island of Ireland, Senator Robert C. Byrd. In this regard, I would like to note the Senator's support for the International Fund for Ireland, during his time as Chair of the Senate's Appropriations Committee. Throughout his 52 years in Congress,...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 53, 79 and 396 together. While much attention has rightly been concentrated on the recent events surrounding Gaza and their aftermath, it is crucial that we continue to focus on the efforts needed to reach a comprehensive political settlement. Ultimately this is the only way to fully achieve our goals of ending the occupation and its inherent injustices,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government's aid programme, administered from within my department by Irish Aid, is sharply focused on the reduction and eventual eradication of global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionaries represents a very important element in this effort, reflecting the broad support among Irish people for the development programme....

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Iceland applied for membership of the EU in July 2009. On 24 February, the Commission delivered a largely positive opinion (avis) on Iceland's readiness to begin accession negotiations and recommended that a date should be set for commencement of talks. In light of the Commission opinion the application was considered by Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs Council on 14 June and by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have received a number of appeals in relation to the situation of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, most recently in connection with the murder of over 90 members of that community in Lahore as they worshipped in two mosques in the city on 28 May. I have condemned these murders on a number of occasions in this House, just as I now condemn the murders of innocent civilians in the attack...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government has provided assistance to Timor-Leste through Irish Aid since 2000. In March 2003, Timor -Leste was designated a programme country, with a commitment to long term strategic assistance. The Conflict Resolution Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs has been working with Timor-Leste since 2008, assisted by Ireland's Special Envoy, Nuala O'Loan. In 2009, Ireland provided a...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government remains in close and regular contact with the British Government about the range of ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles. On 13 May, I visited Ballymurphy where the relatives of the eleven innocent people killed there between the 9 and 11 August 1971 took to the locations in the area at which their loved ones were killed. My visit was at the invitation of the...

Written Answers — Guantanamo Detainees: Guantanamo Detainees (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: At an early stage, a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, agreed to accept former Guantanamo detainees cleared for release. To date, twenty-four former detainees have been received by EU Member States. I understand that in the case of certain Member States, the consideration of whether or not to accept detainees is ongoing. Two former detainees have been received for resettlement...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I visited Uganda from 27-30 June. The key objectives of my trip were to visit Irish Aid funded development projects and programmes, and to strengthen Irish-Ugandan bilateral and trade relations. Uganda is one of nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 157 out of 182 countries on the UN's Human Development Index....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 65, 81 and 83 together. Ireland continues to support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, as well as the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the territory based on the principle of self-determination. UN Secretary General Ban's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The practice of female genital mutilation is a clear violation of the human rights of women and girls. It has serious social, health and psychological consequences, and it infringes on children's rights to special protection. The World Health Organisation estimates that between 100 million and 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 70 and 74 together. The outbreak of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan earlier this month left hundreds dead and thousands injured. I join with those who have condemned this violence. I also offer my condolences to the families of those killed and my sympathy to those who were injured or displaced. The violence in Kyrgyzstan resulted in a serious...