Results 43,781-43,800 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Revised Estimates. (30 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As a percentage of the overall budget, the NGO sector does better in this country than in almost any other within the OECD. I believe that up to 20% of our budget goes to the NGOs, which is very high. That is something that should be acknowledged. In terms of the administrative budget here, from about 2007-10, and particularly from 2008 to date, it has been hovering around the €35.708...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The examination of this issue is at a very early stage and we are working in consultation with other Government Departments. It should be noted that in the UK case, consideration of the issues and consultation of interested parties took two years.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The passport for the person in question will be ready for collection at the Molesworth Street Office on Friday March 26.

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no such properties.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware customers have been experiencing disruption to passport services as a result of ongoing industrial action in the public service. Unfortunately, this has lead to a significant backlog of passport applications leading to significant delays in processing passport applications in the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Department has been advising the pubic of the extent...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (25 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in two buildings in Dublin: Ground floor of Hospitality House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 2. This property is leased directly by my Department. The 20 year lease contains a provision for upward only rent reviews at 5 year intervals. The annual rental cost is currently €144,900. However, the lease on these premises is being terminated this year....

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware the Passport Service is currently experiencing disruption to services caused by ongoing industrial action throughout the public service. This industrial action has curtailed the flexibility previously available in delivering passport services. On 4 March the Department of Foreign Affairs advised passport customers through the press and on the Passport Service website...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: US military actions in Afghanistan were not discussed during the meetings which the Taoiseach and I had with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in Washington last week. Discussion of Afghanistan focussed on food security and police training, where Ireland is prepared to make a direct contribution. In addition, both the President and the Secretary of State thanked Ireland for the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that arrangements were made for the father of the children concerned to collect the passports at the Molesworth Street office on 23 March.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: 2010 marks the Bicentenary of the independence of Argentina. Given the long-standing and close bilateral ties which characterise relations between Ireland and Argentina, a wide ranging programme is being put in place to mark this significant anniversary in Argentina's history. The Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires launched its commemorative programme of Argentina's Bicentenary during the highly...

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 12 March 2010. This application was received by the Passport Service on 03 February 2010 through the regular post channel i.e. it did not use the Passport Express service provided by An Post. As advised on the Department's website applicants should only apply by regular post if a passport is not required for...

Written Answers — False Passports: False Passports (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: The first indication we received of the use of false Irish passports in connection with the killing of Mr. Mahmoud al Mabhouh was on 4 February, when local press reports in Dubai stated that several suspects were believed to have entered Dubai on Irish passports. The Ambassador of Ireland to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ciarán Madden, immediately contacted the UAE Foreign Ministry to seek...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department pays the rent on office space in two buildings in the State: · Ground floor of Hospitality House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 2. The rental cost in 2009 was €144,900 and the length of the lease is 20 years. However, the lease on these premises is being terminated this year. · Ground floor of Findlater House, 27 -31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The rental cost in 2009...

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

Micheál Martin: The current number of full-time equivalent staff in my Department is 1218. This does not include approximately 300 locally-engaged staff serving in Missions abroad. The table below sets out details of the number of full-time equivalent staff working in the areas mentioned by the Deputy. Area of work Number of staff Payroll 4.5 Financial Management 41.9 Human Resources 21.6 Means...

Written Answers — North-South Bodies: North-South Bodies (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are seven North/ Bodies in operation - Waterways Ireland, InterTradeIreland, the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency), the Special EU Programmes Body, the North/South Language Body (which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency), the Food Safety Promotion Board and Tourism Ireland Ltd. The North/South Bodies are a significant part of the...

Written Answers — Anti-Irish Racism: Anti-Irish Racism (23 Mar 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated previously, since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on issues. The Consul General remains in close contact with senior officials in the Scottish Government in relation to incidents of sectarianism of the kind referred to in the question. I understand that the Scottish...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together. Accreditation of Irish Diplomatic Missions is decided on a number of criteria which include, inter alia, the provision of consular services. The Department regularly reviews its Diplomatic network of Embassies and Consulates abroad in this context. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland, Sofia, does not routinely deal with visa applications...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department's travel advice is regularly updated and is designed to help Irish citizens make informed decisions before travelling overseas. It reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved and is based on the best information available to the Department. It draws on reports from Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad and advice issued by other countries including Member...

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...