Results 44,001-44,020 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to him, most recently on 15 December, we have been following this case closely through our Embassy in Tehran. Following his arrest at his home on 9 July and his subsequent appearance at one of the televised show trials, Dr Kian Tajbakhsh was sentenced on 20 October, reportedly on allegations of espionage and playing a role in the public...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. Ireland, both bilaterally and in association with EU and other like-minded partners, makes frequent and numerous interventions regarding human rights concerns in the countries which have the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Irish Missions abroad and official residences of Heads of Mission serve as platforms for raising Ireland's international profile, providing services to the public, promoting Irish economic interests and representing the State in international organisations. Construction and refurbishment of properties used for these purposes is carried out as necessary to ensure that Irish Missions have the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Orders: Ministerial Orders (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Details of fees or charges set by me by way of Ministerial Order for the provision of goods or services to persons or businesses are set out in, S.I No. 341/1988 – Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1988, S.I. No. 82/2004 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2004 as amended by S.I. No. 391/2005 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2005 and S.I. No...

Written Answers — Ministerial Orders: Ministerial Orders (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: Details of charges levied by my Department or agencies under my Department in respect of the provision of goods or services to persons or businesses are set out in, S.I No. 341/1988 - Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1988, S.I. No. 82/2004 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2004 as amended by S.I. No. 391/2005 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: There are no State agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. There are currently three bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department: the Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC); the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon); and the Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational...

Job Creation. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: That is not true. The same procedure is applied to foreign and indigenous companies.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Asia strategy was established in 1999 to improve Ireland's political and business contacts in the Asia-Pacific region, and to raise awareness of Ireland as an investment location and a source of high-quality exports. The 1998 report of the Asia strategy group, which provided the basis for the Asia strategy, stated that fundamental rights and freedoms were a factor in our relations with...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The Burmese question has never been seen or dealt with in the context of the Asia strategy.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I met recently with representatives of the Burmese government in exile. As the Deputy will be aware, we have provided considerable support to it to organise and present its case to the wider world.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I would be very concerned about the forthcoming elections given the timeframe that has been allocated. The timeframe is running out in terms of the rules of the game being published or people being given notice as to who can and cannot participate. The essential requirement is that there would be a release of the political prisoners, many of whom are the leading lights of the opposition. I...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: In both Asia strategies the educational dimension has been very strong. In fact, there has been an expanded level of partnership and engagement between universities here and universities in Asia, particularly in Malaysia and China, to name but two.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I share the Deputy's view that I believe in an expansive and creative approach to that.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: The point is valid. It is an important dimension to the issue of expanding the whole education industry. We can gain more from it. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, is pursuing that issue vigorously. Deputy Timmins asked about relations with China and the review of the second phase. In terms of trade, there has been growth and an enhancement of bilateral trade...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am. I am determined to get there in 2010. I was not in a position to go there last year because of the Lisbon treaty referenda and so on. Relations with Asia are very much about maintaining the political contacts on a regular basis - not on a once off basis and not doing it again for a few years. The Expo has created a problem with the timetable because the Chinese are anxious to keep...

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: -----to industry and in terms of Irish companies going abroad.

Asia Strategy. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that from the time the Minister for Finance went to London last year, the recurring international feedback has been that the presence of Irish Ministers overseas has enhanced Ireland's image abroad and the perspective that international markets have of Ireland. That was in relation to Deputy Timmins' last comment.

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 83 together. The earthquake of 12 January has been a devastating tragedy for the people of Haiti. It is estimated that well over 200,000 people have died. More than 1.2 million people are displaced, living in temporary shelters in and around the capital city, Port au Prince. A further 480,000 people are reported to have left the city and taken...

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we have learned lessons as a result of the tsunami and its aftermath and not least in the context of the emergency relief fund that is now in place and that is ready to be used when disasters of this nature occur. The prepositioning of supplies, etc., is also an indication of lessons learned. The fundamental difficulty encountered in Haiti related to the...

Haitian Earthquake. (16 Feb 2010)

Micheál Martin: I am sure the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Peter Power, would be anxious to be of assistance to Members in respect of this matter. In that context, it might be useful to engage, at a later date, in a debate on the situation in Haiti-----