Results 43,701-43,720 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have reported to the House on previous occasions, most recently on 11 February, I consider the Goldstone Report to be a serious and important contribution to efforts to determine the truth of allegations about events in Gaza a year ago, to establish accountability for them, and to seek to prevent a recurrence of such alleged infringements of international law. I have commended Judge...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The EU-Israel Association Agreement forms the legal basis for relations between the EU and Israel. As the Deputy has indicated, Article 2 of this Agreement states that relations between the parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that the passport for the applicant issued on 18 March 2010. This application was received by the Passport Service on 23 February 2010 through the regular post channel at the Passport Office in London. The Passport Office in London does not provide a service level guarantee in respect of applications received. However, in normal circumstances...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will appreciate that, as travel has just taken place, details on foreign travel, accommodation and related Ministerial and official costs have not yet been consolidated. I will be happy to write to the Deputy providing the requested details at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations mandate for the presence of troops with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been renewed on an annual basis since December 2001. The current mandate was extended until 12 October 2010 by Resolution 1890 (2009) adopted by the Security Council on 8 October 2009. This Resolution not only authorised the Member States participating in ISAF to...

Written Answers — Pre-clearance Facilities: Pre-clearance Facilities (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: On 16 March, I had a very useful meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington. We discussed a broad range of foreign policy issues, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iran and Haiti. Secretary Clinton was particularly interested in the situation in Northern Ireland in the wake of the historic agreement at Hillsborough last month. I thanked the Secretary for her own...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I have recently been made aware of the case raised by the Deputy through our Embassy in Riyadh. It appears that the young woman involved has dual Indian-Canadian citizenship. She travelled to Saudi Arabia two years ago with a temporary holiday visa, sponsored by her father who is an Indian citizen resident in Saudi Arabia. Under Saudi law, the sponsor's permission is required for any...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study. These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. Two proposals were submitted to my Department by Cork County Council on behalf of Dunmanway. One of the proposals was for a...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department does not lease any buildings within the State.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department's financial management, including payment functions are outsourced to the Financial Shared Services Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department does not engage in means assessment. The number of staff in the Department (including the National Archives of Ireland) primarily employed in financial management, human resource management,...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. While no decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme, €48 million has been provided in my Department's Vote...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The legislation that is required to give affect to the decision to merge the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Archives into the National Library of Ireland is being prepared. As stated in my recent responses to similar questions, Heads of a Bill have been drafted and transmitted to the Directors of the National Archives and of the National Library of Ireland and to the Chairman...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The estimated cost of travel associated with St Patrick's Day for my Department is €1,230 which relates to flights and expenses for three nights for the CEO of Culture Ireland who travelled to Washington to engage in the promotion of Irish Arts and Culture, on which there is a special focus this year.

Written Answers — Historical Records: Historical Records (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Minister has no statutory function in relation to the records of private voluntary bodies. However, the Deputy might contact the Athletics Association of Ireland which is the governing body for athletics formed following the dissolution of the NACA and Bord Luthchleas na h-Éireann and which would be in a position to advise in relation to the issues raised. The Association can be...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together. Under section 8 of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 it is a function of Fáilte Ireland to support the development of tourism enterprises in the State. I have no statutory function in relation to the administration of supports or the award of grants or assistance to tourism enterprises. Details of the grants and...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Tá an Teachta é féin cosúil leis an t-oileánach.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Aire, an Teachta Ó Cuív, as ucht an post nua atá faighte aige. Tá mé cinnte n-éireoidh an t-ádh leis agus go ndéanfaidh sé jab den chéad scoth ina Roinn nua. Táim cinnte go n-éireoidh an t-ádh leis agus go ndéanfaidh sé jab den chéad scoth ann. First, I strongly support the changes being made today, particularly the realignment...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: They do not reflect the deserved plaudits-----

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: -----that should go with the significant policy reorientation entailed by the Taoiseach's decisions.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: First, while Fianna Fáil-led Governments have been accused of a lot by the Opposition, it must be acknowledged that over the past decade, they have transformed the research landscape in Ireland significantly. This has had an impact on the type of inward investment that is coming in at present-----