Results 43,221-43,240 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Priority PQs Nos. 27 and 30 of today. The current Irish passport system is one of the most secure in the world. The taxpayer has made significant investment in enhancing the security of our passports. The passport has been designed to ensure that the technologies used are those strictly controlled and mandated by the relevant international body, ICAO...

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

Micheál Martin: 12.8 full-time equivalent staff work in my Private and Constituency Offices. A breakdown of their positions is provided in the following table. Position Number of staff Private Secretary 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer 2 Staff Officer 1 Clerical Officer 4.8 Special Advisor 1 Personal Assistant 1 Personal Secretary 1 Total 12.8 Eight of these posts are in my Private...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Western Balkans was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 14 June which I attended. This came shortly after a high level meeting on the Western Balkans which took place in Sarajevo on 2 June and was organised by Spanish EU Presidency. The meeting in Sarajevo was attended by all EU and Western Balkans countries, including Serbia and Kosovo. Ireland was...

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware from previous statements in this House, most recently on 20 May, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We remain very actively engaged at both the EU and international level in monitoring the situation in the country and in our efforts to support the Burmese people in their struggle for justice, democracy and development. The...

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

Micheál Martin: Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. As has been stated on previous occasions, in response to similar Questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a 'league table' of countries deemed guilty of the most blatant human rights abuses. The complexity and specificity of individual country situations could render such an exercise difficult...

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

Micheál Martin: It is not the policy of the Government to list countries most seriously affected by such issues as hunger, war, genocide or human rights abuses, which are issues that affect many countries in Africa and elsewhere, and I shall therefore not focus on individual countries. With regard to the issue of hunger and famine, it is estimated that more than a billion people today do not have enough...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department's largest print requirements are for passport application forms and passport booklets. Both of these contracts are currently held by Irish companies with all technical and production facilities located in Ireland. However, in accordance with Irish law (which gives effect to Ireland's international obligations in these matters), these contracts are tendered periodically and are...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33, 64, 75, 88, 384 and 397, together. I reported to the House on 1 June 2010 on my reaction to the events of 31 May 2010 involving the killing of nine Turkish citizens on board the MV Mavi Marmara. This vessel was part of an international flotilla heading for Gaza. The Government at its meeting that morning condemned the killings and expressed its...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The meeting I had with the ambassador was specifically about the flotilla. I had earlier meetings, as the Deputy knows, with regard to the issue of Irish passports being used in an assassination in Dubai. I reported that to the House and there was considerable debate about it. I have had frequent discussions with the Israeli ambassador over the last number of months on different but...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy and I are of similar mind in terms of what needs to happen with regard to the blockade. There was an interesting article in the International Herald Tribune yesterday which pointed out some obvious consequences of the blockade, that is, the complete destruction of the private sector in Gaza-----

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: -----and its semi-replacement by business elements under the control of Hamas.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It defies any logic. People who had a long history of trade with Israel were completely undermined. There is a prospect of developing employment again in Gaza if the private sector is allowed to operate. That is something I will be pushing. I met business people in Gaza at the time and they articulated this point of view to me. They had been wiped out by the blockade.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: It is difficult to comprehend. The Rachel Corrie was not under Irish ownership as such. The UN began by moving the cargo from the initial group of ships, with the exception of one ship whose owners have not yet agreed to the terms agreed by the UN with the Israeli authorities. The consideration of the cargo of the Rachel Corrie was delayed while this first group was dealt with. We believe...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry; I wish to make one final point that may prevent further questions on the issue of property raised by Deputy Higgins. The large number of persons aboard the first group of ships detained left their personal belongings on board. These were not returned to them individually when they were deported. Instead, the luggage was sent en masse by aeroplane to Istanbul with the deportees....

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: We are following up any allegations of ill treatment towards Irish citizens.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: There have been approximately two allegations, but I will come back to the Deputy with the specific number. We have met one of the individuals and are pursuing that allegation, including the issue of the passport.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I believe the ill-conceived strategy of dealing with the flotilla by military means ultimately had the effect of undermining the blockade and that the unacceptable killings and tragic deaths that resulted changed the entire situation. International pressure and reaction to the military attack on the flotilla was such that it rendered the policy of the blockade unsustainable. International...

Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Notwithstanding the different emphases and perspectives across the European Union with regard to the Middle East, the conclusions arrived at last December under the Swedish Presidency were strong and robust and form a basis for consensus across the Union and a platform for action on the issue. The issue remains on the agenda on a continuing basis because of events. The European Union...