Results 43,261-43,280 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Passport Applications (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: Equally, there is a report that a British passport was used but I do not know whether that is the case.

European Council (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Council at its meeting in June adopted the European strategy for jobs and growth, Europe 2020. This includes EU headline targets in the five areas of employment, research and development, climate change, education and social inclusion. The targets represent shared objectives covering the action of the member States and the Union. Some, notably those on greenhouse gas emissions,...

European Council (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I would not favour financial fines for member states which do not reach their Europe 2020 targets. A different situation, however, pertains to financial governance and membership of the euro. I accept there is a need for measures to ensure compliance in this regard.

European Council (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: The difference between the Europe 2020 and the Lisbon strategies is that the former is more sharply focussed with its narrowing down to five key objectives, namely employment, research and development, climate change, education and social inclusion. Not all of the Lisbon strategy was poor but much of it depended on the adherence to it by member states. The fact that Ireland has a 46%...

European Council (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: I understand and see the merit in the Deputy's argument about integration but I am not sure one could achieve a Europe 2020 strategy if one followed that course of action.

European Council (6 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: No, the point is that one cannot divorce the obligations of member states under the Stability and Growth Pact and Europe 2020. The strategy tells member states the core areas of economic development on which they should be focussing as a priority. Member states do not want Europe telling them how to develop every single policy area in, say, health or education. Historically, the control of...

Written Answers — Tax Audits: Tax Audits (1 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has made no unprompted voluntary disclosures to the Revenue Commissioners under the headings of employer issues PAYE and PRSI, value added tax, public service withholding tax or relevant contracts tax during the period in question.

Written Answers — Tax Audits: Tax Audits (1 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has made no settlements with regard to Section 985B of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 during the period in question.

Written Answers — Tax Audits: Tax Audits (1 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: There have been no tax audits carried out by the Revenue Commissioners in my Department during the period in question.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (1 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has received no funding from the National Lottery during the period in question.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, Government Departments do not directly pay for the legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office or for advice from Counsel briefed by them. My Department has a Legal Division, staffed by qualified legal professionals who provide legal advice on a wide range of international legal issues. Having such...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (29 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government continues to attach a high priority to supporting Irish communities abroad. In recent years, funding for the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by my Department, has substantially increased; from €4.1M in 2004 to over €15M in 2009. The primary focus of the Programme is on the provision of welfare and support services to vulnerable or marginalised Irish...

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

Micheál Martin: I utterly condemn the murder of over 90 members of the Ahmadiyya community in Lahore, as well as the terrible injuries visited upon so many others as they worshipped in two mosques in the city on 28 May. Nothing can justify attacks which cause such senseless carnage and destruction. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government, I once again extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved...

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

Micheál Martin: The application in question was received through the Passport Express Service on 11 June, 2010. Applications submitted through this service are now guaranteed to be processed within 22 working days. If the applicant is required to travel urgently he should contact the passport office and provide details of his travel itinerary so that his application can be expedited.

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (29 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: All buildings occupied by my Department in Ireland are either owned by the State or leased by the Office of Public Works. 37 properties, owned by the State abroad, are occupied by my Department. These properties are used primarily as Chanceries and official Residences of Heads of Mission. All costs in relation thereto are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The total...

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

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act, 2008 requires that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004, persons born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside without restriction in the State or in Northern Ireland, may claim citizenship by birth in...

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

Micheál Martin: The position regarding leave to remain is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. The Passports Act, 2008 requires that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. The children in question were born in Ireland in 2005. Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004, persons born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is...

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

Micheál Martin: The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (The McCarthy Report) made a number of recommendations to Government in respect of my Department. These were considered in the context of this year's budget and public service estimates and it was decided to implement a number of them in full or in part. Recommendation in the report of the Special Group Comment...

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

Micheál Martin: 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. As Africa's largest oil producer, Angola's economic boom continues today, notwithstanding a temporary downturn in 2008/09. Hopes that the ending of...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (24 Jun 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the Union has exclusive competence for the EU's Common Commercial Policy. In international trade negotiations, the Commission negotiates on behalf of the Union, on the basis of a mandate that it receives from the Council. On 1 March, negotiations on a Multiparty Free Trade Agreement between the EU and two member states of the Andean Community –...