Results 43,201-43,220 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I am extremely concerned about the situation of those in same-sex relationships in certain African countries. In many countries in Africa, though not all, same-sex relationships are illegal. Even where they are not illegal, they are often not well tolerated, with people suffering violence and discrimination as a result of their sexual orientation. At the same time, many such countries have...

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

Micheál Martin: I welcome the decision taken by the UN Secretary General on 22 June to appoint a Panel of Experts to advise on the issue of accountability with regard to alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka, which ended in May last year. The Panel will be made up of three distinguished legal officials, Mr Marzuki Darusman...

Written Answers — Hunger Eradication: Hunger Eradication (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The eradication of global hunger is a key component of Ireland's foreign policy and a cornerstone of our development programme. We recognise that strengthening international coordination and enhancing global governance for agriculture, food and nutrition security through a global partnership among development partners, which builds on existing institutions and fosters effective partnerships...

Written Answers — Disaster Relief: Disaster Relief (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 401 together. The entire world was deeply moved by the plight of the Haitian people following the earthquake on 14 January. The devastation wrought and the impact on peoples' lives were made all the worse by the levels of poverty experienced by most Haitians. The Government responded quickly to the events in Haiti by undertaking Irish Aid's...

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

Micheál Martin: Trade relations with Israel are determined at EU level. I have been very active in criticising and drawing attention to those aspects of Israeli policy with which we disagree, particularly in relation to the continuing occupation of Palestinian Territories. I will continue to do so, both directly and at EU and UN level, and also to encourage both Israelis and Palestinians who are prepared to...

Written Answers — Disputed Territories: Disputed Territories (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Rockall is a small uninhabitable rock, 25 by 30 metres wide, located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal. It marks a point at which the Rockall Bank, part of the very large Hatton-Rockall area of continental shelf extending under the north-east Atlantic Ocean, protrudes 21 metres above sea level....

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

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out the number of vacant posts in my Department's office in Limerick. Post Type Total Posts Occupied2008 Vacancies2008 Occupied2009 Vacancies2009 Occupied2010 Vacancies2010 Diplomatic 24 23 1 18 6 18 6 Non-diplomatic 114 102 12 98 18 97.5 16.5 Total 138 125 13 116 22 115.5 22.5 Staff numbers in my Department, like those across the civil service as a whole, have...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 93 together. Angola has undergone major development since the end of its civil war, one of the longest-running civil wars in Africa, in 2002. It has achieved rapid economic growth, thanks to a boom in oil production and high international oil prices. However, this wealth has not translated to the general population but has remained in the hands of a...

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

Micheál Martin: I spent last week visiting Uganda and Ethiopia, two of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. I visited Ethiopia from 30 June to 2 July. My main objective was to assess the impact of our development programme on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Ethiopia, and its contribution to...

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

Micheál Martin: China has rapidly increased its engagement with nearly every African state in recent years. Trade between Africa and China has grown an average of 30% per annum in the past decade and now stands at over US$100 billion, making China the continent's second largest trading partner after the US. China shares with other major economic powers a desire to gain access to natural resources, but also...

Written Answers — United Nations Resolutions: United Nations Resolutions (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 22 June last to Parliamentary Question number 26769/10 regarding the extensive consultation process undertaken by my Department as part of the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. The guide referred to by the Deputy is a welcome addition to the extensive literature already in existence on how to shape a National Action Plan. The eight...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland supports African countries' efforts to achieve the aims of the Maputo Declaration in a variety of ways. We are directly engaged in the agricultural sector in a number of countries particularly Malawi and Tanzania. Ireland's programmes of General Budget Support are also helping our partner countries meet the Maputo Declaration target. We also support the Comprehensive African...

Written Answers — UN Conferences: UN Conferences (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The International AIDS Conference, held biennially, is an occasion for partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS to congregate and review progress over the preceding two years, look at the current context and plan for the future. The Irish delegation to the International AIDS Conference in Vienna will include a senior HIV and AIDS advisor from Headquarters, experienced HIV and AIDS advisers...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 382 together. The achievement of universal access to reproductive health is one of the objectives of the Programme of Action agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994. It is also an objective of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000. Specifically, the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Government's White Paper on Irish Aid is the framework governing and guiding Ireland's overseas development programme, including the health sector. This overarching policy framework is further elaborated in documents such as Irish Aid's Health Policy and Strategy (2006) and the HIV and AIDS Policy and Strategy which is presently being updated. Health development policies emphasise the...

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

Micheál Martin: A substantive partnership with UN Funds and Programmes, and Global Health Initiatives including those tasked with developing new products for neglected diseases, is an important element of Ireland's development cooperation programme and of our contribution to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals. Ireland engages actively with these organisations, participating in meetings and...

Written Answers — Saville Report: Saville Report (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The deaths, injuries and suffering resulting from the actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday, 30 January 1972, brought relations on this island and between Britain and Ireland to breaking point. This was compounded by the stain which the Widgery report placed on the characters of men now finally and publicly acknowledged to have been innocent. The publication of Lord Saville's report...

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

Micheál Martin: The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia was signed, subject to approval by the parties to it, including Ireland, in Luxembourg on 29 April 2008. At the time of signature of the Agreement, the Council of Ministers decided that the procedures for its formal ratification would begin when the Council agreed unanimously that Serbia was...

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

Micheál Martin: The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has led to significant changes in the European Union's institutional arrangements. These include the creation of a full-time President of the European Council, the establishment of a new post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the creation of a European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS is intended to support the...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388, 393 and 394 together. Deputies will be aware that Ireland, along with our EU partners, has been seriously concerned about human rights violations in Iran for some time. I have consistently raised these concerns at the highest level with the Iranian authorities, most recently during the course of my meeting with Foreign Minister Mottaki in Dublin on 9...