Results 43,561-43,580 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should not underestimate his own role on that committee.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am waiting for the committee to refer back to me.

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: For what programme?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: May I make a few brief remarks?

European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I bow to the ruling of the Chair.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I share the Deputy's concern that everything possible must be done to avoid a repeat of the ethnic violence that erupted after the 2007 elections in Kenya, in which it was estimated that over 1,500 people were killed and as many as 600,000 were displaced. Following mediation talks led by the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, an agreement designed to bring an end to the conflict was...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit in 2000 provide the framework for international development up to 2015. They involve a series of ambitious and far-reaching commitments by the entire international community, together with a set of specific targets against which to measure progress in the reduction of global poverty. The...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 122 and 293 together. On 27 February, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck off the Chilean coast, just 90 kilometres from Concepción, Chile's second largest city. The earthquake was followed by a destructive tsunami and several serious aftershocks were also registered. According to the Chilean authorities, the earthquake resulted in...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I visited Cairo on 23-25 February for discussions with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Whilst in Cairo I also took the opportunity to meet with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, and with the Director of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, General Omar Suleiman. Discussions in Cairo largely focused on the Middle East...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 81 and 295 together. As Deputies will be aware from many previous statements in this House, the Government has long been deeply concerned about the situation in Burma. We are actively engaged in the EU and international efforts to support the Burmese people in their struggle for justice, democracy and development. The Burmese authorities are pushing ahead...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Since January 2009, there has been a net reduction of 58 in staffing levels in my Department. The moratorium on recruitment has meant that staff and functions within my Department are continually being reallocated and reorganised. In addition, the changing business needs of my Department, along with the nature of its core work, require the frequent reassignment of staff, both at home and to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States continues to be an important priority for this Government. We are also committed to enhancing our bilateral migration arrangements with the US through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable visa scheme, known as the E3 visa, and the further development of the working holiday programme. During our recent St...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which indicated a rise in the level of arms exported from Germany in recent years. Since December 2008, all European Union Member States, including Germany, are legally bound to uphold Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which defines common rules governing the control of exports of military...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 87, 99, 105, 107, 115, 125, 287 and 296 together. I refer to my earlier reply to Priority Questions 70 and 72 for details on my discussions with Secretary Clinton, and on the issues of Gaza and of Israeli settlement construction. Further to that reply, I would add a number of points in answer to matters raised by Deputies. The difficulties inherent in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 288 and 300 together. International concerns about the nature and aims of Iran's nuclear programme, which are shared by Ireland, have been the focus of diplomatic efforts for some years. The EU has been actively engaged with the Iranian authorities since 2004 in trying to reach a satisfactory resolution of this issue. This EU commitment was repeated in the...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is an important innovation under the Lisbon Treaty which will support the work of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. The High Representative has on 25 March presented a proposal for a Council Decision on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS and discussion will soon commence on this. As...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The question of introducing any tax measures is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance. From a foreign policy perspective, I would not exclude that taxation measures might have a role to play in regulating international financial markets, alongside other international instruments. As the Deputy will be aware, there were calls at the G20 Summit in St Andrews last November for a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority question number 13403/10. As the Deputy is aware, customers have been experiencing disruption to passport services as a result of ongoing industrial action in the public service. The industrial action has led to a backlog of over 50,000 passport applications in the system and application...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 112, and 116 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs decentralised to Limerick. This Division operates externally under the name of Irish Aid. The Headquarters of Irish Aid is situated in my Department's Limerick building. Of the 108 staff...

Written Answers — Irish Residents Abroad: Irish Residents Abroad (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There is no legal requirement for Irish citizens living abroad to register with their nearest Embassy. As such, no official figures are available for the number of Irish citizens who are permanently resident abroad. During 2009 our diplomatic missions issued 81,000 passports to Irish citizens ordinarily resident abroad. The most recent US census recorded 124,000 Irish born residents,...