Results 43,581-43,600 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been treated in Colombia. To this end, a number of steps have been taken over the past year in addressing human rights issues directly with the Government of Colombia and together with the European Union. First, in December 2008, at the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are a total of 89 Honorary Consuls serving at present and the table below sets out where they are located. Consideration of whether to appoint an Honorary Consul in a particular country or specific area within a country is taken on the basis of several criteria eg Consular needs, location of significant Irish community, business opportunities etc.. The Department requests all missions...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Residences: Diplomatic Residences (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 127 together. Ireland has strong commercial and business linkages with Canada. Total trade (manufacturing and services) between Ireland and Canada in 2008 was valued at more than €1.6 billion. The first ten months of 2009 saw a 12 % increase in this trade. Canada is also a key tourism market for Ireland with 108,000 Canadians visiting Ireland in 2008....

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

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. While we have seen some improvements in the economic sphere since the formation of the unity government, this has not been matched in other crucial areas, including respect for human rights, the rule of law and security sector reform. The lack of progress in implementing the...

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

Micheál Martin: At an early stage, a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, agreed to accept former Guantánamo detainees cleared for release. To date, twenty-two former detainees have been received by EU Member States. I understand that in the case of certain other Member States, the consideration of whether or not to accept detainees is ongoing. Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to...

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

Micheál Martin: Thailand is currently experiencing large scale demonstrations on the streets of the capital Bangkok. The rallies have been taking place since 12 March with anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters – supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - demanding the dissolution of Parliament and new elections. The Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has stated that he will not...

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

Micheál Martin: There have been a number of developments of interest and concern in Nigeria in recent weeks, relating both to the composition of the Federal Government, and to outbreaks of violence in the country. The absence of President Yar Adua, who left Nigeria in November last year for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia without transferring power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, caused some...

Written Answers — Embassy Marriages: Embassy Marriages (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Marriages performed by Embassies in Ireland have never been recognised in Irish law although they may of course be recognised in the laws of the states whose Embassies perform them. In international law a marriage performed at an Embassy will only be internationally recognised if it is in the country in which it is performed. It is for this reason that a state proposing to perform marriages...

Written Answers — Haiti Earthquake: Haiti Earthquake (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 129 and 290 together. The challenges faced in responding to the devastating Haiti earthquake of 12 January were exceptionally serious: the destruction of essential infrastructure, the tragic loss of both key Government and UN personnel, and enormous pre-existing vulnerabilities. The international community generally and the EU specifically responded...

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

Micheál Martin: I have previously welcomed the appointment of Catherine Ashton as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission. HR Ashton is already working closely with European Union Foreign Ministers to ensure that the Union plays an active and influential role on the world stage. It is important that we put in place a capable...

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

Micheál Martin: I am very concerned over the continued detention of Ms Birtukan Midekssa a prominent opposition figure in Ethiopian politics. Ms Midekssa was among the opposition leaders who were imprisoned following the 2005 elections in Ethiopia and the ensuing violence. Almost all of these detainees were pardoned and released in 2007, on condition that they admitted to errors in the post-election period....

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Government of Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. This does not inhibit the development of economic relations with Taiwan, however, and our trade with Taiwan has increased steadily over the years. Our merchandise trade with Taiwan in 2008 was worth €761 million: trade in services is also...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Iceland applied for membership of the EU in July 2009. On 24 February, the Commission delivered a largely positive opinion (avis) on Iceland's readiness to begin accession negotiations. The avis recommends that a date should be set for commencement of talks. The Council of Ministers should now consider the Commission's recommendation and I look forward to its inclusion on a forthcoming...

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

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my answer of this afternoon to Priority Question 69.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of any representations made to my Department in respect of matters referred to in the Deputy's question.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Diplomatic Network is made up of 75 overseas missions, in addition to offices in Armagh and Belfast. The network consists of 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. The Irish diplomatic...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The European Union has a long and close relationship with Turkey. Accession negotiations were opened in 2005, and are continuing. Ireland makes a constructive input to those negotiations. As a beneficiary of a past enlargement, and on the experience of more recent accessions, Ireland is generally supportive of enlargement. Enlargement bolsters economic and political reform processes and...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 123 together. I accompanied the Taoiseach on his St Patrick's Day visit to Washington D.C. from 15-18 March 2010 and to his meetings with President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Pat Leahy and Chris Dodd, Congressman Ritchie Neal and other members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group. I also had a very useful...

Written Answers — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Government welcomes Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's recent initiative to ask the InterAcademy Council to conduct an independent review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) processes and procedures. It is important that the occurrence of a small number of inaccuracies be reviewed and placed in context, and not allowed to obscure the wider picture of the contribution of...

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

Micheál Martin: As stated in the House on 9 February and on 11 March last, in reply to Parliamentary Questions relating to the same case, I have been deeply concerned about the disappearance of Mr. Gao Zhisheng, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer. I am therefore heartened by press reports yesterday which suggest that Mr. Gao Zhisheng appears to be alive and that he has been in contact with associates....