Results 43,901-43,920 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: A report on 3 February by the respected non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Watch, stated that Libya has, since the end of January, blocked access from that country to certain websites based in other countries, including opposition Libyan websites and YouTube. This action, which was at first represented as a technical fault, is being interpreted as an attempt to prevent dissemination...

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, it is incumbent upon Libya to respect the international agreements to which it has signed up. In the context of any engagement between that country and the European Union, we would emphasise that issues of freedom of expression and access are a high priority. As both Deputy Breen and I observed, there were indications that Libya was opening up somewhat. This is a very...

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Will the Deputy clarify his question?

International Agreements. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Not to my knowledge, but I will clarify that for the Deputy. There have been serious human rights concerns in regard to Libya over the years, and those concerns are being addressed within the ongoing EU-Libya framework agreement negotiations.

Written Answers — International Protocols: International Protocols (11 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to written PQ 6003/10 , answered on Thursday 4 February. "The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR) is intended, when it comes into force, to set up a mechanism that will make it possible for individuals or groups of individuals to submit a complaint to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Office provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports. In addition to the public counter service in Dublin and Cork applications may be made by express post through some 1,000 post offices across the country, including 67 in the Deputy's county of Donegal, and some 70 post offices in Northern Ireland. A guaranteed 10 working day service is available...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has signed Double Taxation Agreements with 56 countries, of which 48 are in effect. These Agreements cover direct taxes, which in the case of Ireland are income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax. The purpose of these Agreements is essentially to eliminate double taxation and to promote trade and investment. Double Taxation Agreements are currently in effect with: Australia;...

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 370 together. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy for the period in question: Contracts over €10 million Contracts over €15 million DLRS Limited (Formerly De La Rue Smurfit Limited) Bearingpoint Ireland Limited Sagem Identification BV (Formerly SDU Identification BV) The contract with DLRS is for the provision...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs), and Vote 29 (International Cooperation) under which most of Ireland's expenditure on Official Development Assistance (ODA) is provided, and which is administered by Irish Aid, the Development Co-operation Division of my Department. In the case of Vote 28, there are currently three (3) external...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I regret that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy at this time. I will be happy to provide a reply with the information when it is possible to do so.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester is operated by the Irish Diaspora Foundation Ltd. (IDF). The organisation is in the process of developing a new facility intended to replace the existing Irish Centre in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester. The Government has provided extensive capital funding totalling €2.01million to the organisation for this project over recent years. This...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the disappearance of Mr Gao Zhisheng, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer. As has been reported in this House on many previous occasions, human rights issues in China, including individual cases, are regularly discussed on a bilateral basis with the Chinese Government, both in Beijing and in Dublin. The Government continues to stress at such meetings the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: NGOs operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories perform a vital role in trying to mitigate and ease the burden of the occupation on the Palestinian people, provide for their physical well-being in circumstances where economic life and opportunities are severely constrained, and attempt to redress some of the injustices of occupation policies. Without their work the likelihood of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The consolidation of peace in Northern Ireland and the promotion of partnership and co-operation between both traditions on the island of Ireland is a key policy priority for the Irish Government. In this regard, mutual understanding of the history and culture of the two main traditions is an important building block in fostering reconciliation on the island. This rich historical and...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 provided for the introduction of an exemption from income tax in respect of a benefit-in-kind arising from a bicycle or associated safety equipment being supplied by an employer to an employee for the purposes of commuting to work. Since the introduction of the Cycle to Work Scheme, 23 officers in my Department have applied to avail of this tax exemption. In each...

Northern Ireland: Statements (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputies for their contributions this afternoon and welcome the expressions of support and goodwill across the Chamber for this agreement. Such unity of purpose in this House has been a great strength of the peace process and will remain important as we encourage the parties in Northern Ireland to build on the progress reached at Hillsborough. The spirit of partnership which has...

Northern Ireland: Statements (9 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I assure Deputy Flanagan that the Garda and the PSNI are working very effectively together to deal with the threat posed by the so-called dissidents and criminal elements that are out to undermine the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland in recent years. The Hillsborough agreement is the best answer to those few people who remain determined to undermine the situation and are very...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (4 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to Question No. 397, reference No. 4697/10, answered on Tuesday 2 February.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my answer yesterday to PQ 5297. "The Government takes a close interest in the situation of Roma families in Kosovo and, in particular, residents of the camps around Mitrovica which are exposed to high levels of lead contamination. The Taoiseach raised the living conditions of the Roma when he met with President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaci during his visit to Kosovo...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (3 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has a coordinating role within Government in relation to North/South cooperation, in particular in support of the work of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC). In the period since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly in May 2007, there have been five meetings of the NSMC in Plenary format, four meetings of the NSMC in...