Results 43,181-43,200 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Gas Prices: Gas Prices (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 58 together. The recent gas dispute between Belarus and Russia appears to be moving towards a resolution and I understand that supplies into Belarus have resumed. Although the dispute did not have any impact on Ireland, we kept the situation under close review through our participation in the EU's Gas Coordination Group. This expert group, which...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government's 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid included a commitment to the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development, to be chaired at Ministerial level. The Committee, which is currently chaired by Minister of State Power, was launched in April 2007 with the objective of strengthening coherence in the Government's approach to development and making best use of the...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty to support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The functions of the EEAS will focus on the High Representative's mandate to conduct the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and to ensure the consistency of the EU's external action....

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

Micheál Martin: In response to the Moroccan occupation of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975 and the ensuing conflict, much of the indigenous population of the region fled into Algeria. This resulted in the creation of the Saharawi refugee camp in the Tindouf region of south-western Algeria, which now represents one of the world's most protracted refugee situations. There is no formal...

Written Answers — Niger Food Crisis: Niger Food Crisis (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government is deeply concerned at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Niger. The country is in the middle of a severe nutrition and food crisis following insufficient and irregular rains in 2009 that caused poor food harvests and water shortages. In Niger, as many as 7.1 million people, representing 48 per cent of the country's population, do not have access to sufficient food....

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

Micheál Martin: The security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan, where the UN estimates that seven years of conflict have resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 and the displacement of nearly three million, is of grave concern. The persistence of sporadic violence in the region is not only affecting the population but is also directly targeting the humanitarian community. The United Nations African...

Written Answers — Extractive Industries: Extractive Industries (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: A recent report by Concord, the European umbrella organisation for development Non-Governmental Organisations, focuses on the use of tax planning and trade pricing mechanisms by multinational mining corporations to avoid tax payments in African countries. It calls for the implementation of a series of measures to counteract such practices, including "country by country" reporting in European...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the all-party motion was forwarded by this House to Parliament in Westminster. In the context of the clear view taken by this House on these matters, it would be for this House to decide what further steps, if any, it may wish to take in pursuance of the motion.

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 399 together. The issue of enlargement features regularly on the agenda of the General Affairs Council which I attend and in my bilateral discussions with EU Ministerial colleagues. The December 2009 Council adopted detailed conclusions, subsequently endorsed by the European Council, regarding enlargement generally and in relation to the position of...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 391 and 392 together. The issue of Iran and the major international concerns regarding its nuclear programme was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 14 June, which I attended. Discussion focussed on appropriate follow-up by the EU to the new UN Security Council Resolution 1929 which had been adopted on 9 June and which imposes...

Written Answers — Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have not had any contact with or communication from the Mexican Government on this matter.

Written Answers — Rapid Response Corps: Rapid Response Corps (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government's Rapid Response Corps is a roster of skilled and experienced volunteers who make themselves available to deploy at short notice to work in humanitarian emergency situations. The Corps comprises 155 individuals with specialised skills in logistics, engineering, public health, humanitarian coordination and protection. Most will have worked extensively overseas in humanitarian...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am very much aware of the difficulties confronting undocumented Irish citizens in the United States and the distress which both they and their families in the US and Ireland experience arising from their situation. I would urge anybody who might be tempted in the current economic climate to follow in the footsteps of the undocumented to take account of the plight in which they now find...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Details of the numbers of passports reported as lost or stolen since 2009 are set out in the table below. Year Passports issued Lost or mislaid Stolen Total % of total issued 2009 579,508 29,801 4,821 34,622 5.97% 2010 to date 325,998 13,328 2,188 15,516 4.76% The percentages of Irish passports which are lost and stolen is in line with other countries, including the United Kingdom....

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 403 and 404 together. For 2010, the Government has provided an overall allocation for Official Development Assistance (ODA) of €671 million. Based on current projections Ireland's expected expenditure on ODA in 2010 will amount to approximately 0.52% of GNP, and confirms that Ireland will remain one of the most generous donors internationally on a per...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 20 June 2010, the second round of Presidential elections took place in Colombia. Juan Manuel Santos of the Social National Unity Party (Partido Social de Unidad National), was declared the winner with 69% of the vote while the Green Party candidate, Antanas Mockus, attained 27.5% of the vote. President-elect Santos will take office on 7 August. The Organization of American States...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated to the Deputy on 02 June last I have asked my officials to examine the feasibility of providing passport production equipment in other parts of the country. However, I do not expect that a decision in this regard will be made in the short term. The priority for the Passport Service at present is to reduce the substantial backlog in passport applications and to restore the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of China's announcement that it is planning to sell two nuclear reactors to Pakistan. This has raised concerns in the international community both in relation to undertakings by China regarding the transfer of nuclear goods, as well as potential proliferation risks associated with Pakistan. At the recent plenary meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, Ireland was among those who...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has highlighted an issue that is both current and sensitive, and it is true that food shortages give rise to discussion about the potential of genetically modified crops to feed the growing world population. We have a very clear position on this issue in relation to our aid programme. Ireland's support to the agricultural strategies of partner countries is provided within the...

Written Answers — Millennium Development Goals: Millennium Development Goals (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 380 together. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit in 2000 provide the framework for international development up to 2015. Progress on the MDGs will be reviewed at a UN Summit in New York in September. The Government has been actively engaged at the UN and with our EU partners to ensure that,...