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Results 44,161-44,180 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 65 together. I am aware of the case of Ms. Arminatou Haidar, a human rights activist from Western Sahara who has been on hunger strike at Lanzarote Airport in the Canary Islands since mid-November. I understand that Ms. Haidar was returned against her will to Spain after she landed at Laayoune Airport on 14 November and was denied access to Morocco,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 271 together. The persistence of the conflict in Darfur, albeit at a lower level than the intense violence of 2003-2004, and the ongoing suffering of the people in the region is matter of grave concern. In March of this year, we became seriously concerned for the humanitarian situation after the Sudanese Government expelled thirteen international aid...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 62 and 75 together. I strongly condemn the bombings and violence in Baghdad last week which resulted in an estimated 127 people being killed and some 450 injured. This violence represents a clear attempt to create further instability and undo the slow, if discernible, progress towards establishing improved security and strengthening the democratic system...

Written Answers — European Policy: European Policy (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The European Union is a project whose historic scale and importance allows us to look towards developments in the decades to come with a confidence based on its achievements over the past half-century in building peace and prosperity in Europe. On 9 May next year we will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Schumann Declaration which has been called Europe's birth certificate. In the depths...

Written Answers — Climate Change Conference: Climate Change Conference (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Preparation for the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference Summit has required sustained input and coordination involving a number of Government Ministers and Departments. Climate change involves global challenges that can only be met through non-traditional diplomacy. Scientific, political, development, energy and other responses have to be combined in a coherent way. I and my...

Written Answers — Climate Change Conference: Climate Change Conference (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the negotiations in Copenhagen are ongoing. For the first week and the beginning of this week, negotiations have been conducted very much at a technical level, and the situation remains very fluid. It is anticipated that the Taoiseach will join over 100 other Heads of State and Government at the High Level Segment of the conference in the next few days. The EU...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government is greatly concerned by recent events in the Republic of Guinea, notably the violent crackdown by security forces on political demonstrations in Conakry on 28 September 2009. There, the armed forces opened fire on a crowd of unarmed protestors, killing 150 and injuring over a thousand. In the days following, there were reports of widespread rape and looting by soldiers. The...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 258 together. Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the US continues to be a high priority of this Government. We are also committed to developing our bilateral migration arrangements with the United States, through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable visa scheme known as the E3 visa. In discussions with US Secretary of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 270 together. The situation in Somalia is of extreme concern, as the country has been without an effective government since 1991. Since it was established in 2004, the UN-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has made little headway in establishing effective control over the country's territory and restoring peace and stability. Continuous...

Written Answers — Passport Fraud: Passport Fraud (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The figures for Irish passports reported as lost or stolen for 2008 and from 1 January to 4 December 2009 are: Year Total passports issued Lost or mislaid Stolen Total lost, mislaid or stolen % of total issued 2008 577,000 31,262 5,002 36,264 6.3% 2009 to 4 December 550,406 28,602 4,612 33,214 6.0% Since 1 October, 2009 the Department increased the frequency of its reporting of the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 268 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Priority Questions 29 and 30 earlier today. I understand that elements of the Holy See's response to the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation are still under consideration by the Vatican. I can assure the Deputies that I impressed upon the Papal Nuncio at our recent meeting the...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The seventh WTO Ministerial Conference took place in Geneva from 30 November to 2 December. The Irish Delegation was led by the Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher T.D. The Conference was an important opportunity for WTO Trade Ministers to assess the progress made on concluding a new trade liberalisation deal by the end of 2010. Negotiations on a new trade deal – referred to as...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Mozambique has made good progress in recovering from the 1977-1992 civil war and is one of Africa's most successful examples of post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is both stable and democratic, even though there has been no change of government since the transition to democracy. Political stability has been underpinned by national reconstruction and relatively rapid economic...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Since 2002, the political situation in Chad has been dominated by threats of armed rebellion against the government of President Idriss Déby. While the government signed an accord with civilian opposition parties in 2007, providing for a degree of political reform, armed rebel groups have remained active and intent on overthrowing the government by force. The most recent threat to the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 254 together. The EU remains closely engaged with both Russia and Georgia in conflict resolution efforts following the August 2008 conflict over the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The September 2008 peace plan, brokered by the French EU Presidency, provided for talks to take place in Geneva under the co-chairmanship of the EU, UN,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to him, most recently on 24 November, 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 — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Energy security is a major priority for the European Union, and Ireland supports and actively contributes to the EU's efforts to diversify its energy supply and improve the Community's capacity to prepare for and react to energy emergencies. To tackle the challenges facing the EU, the European Commission undertook a second Strategic Energy Review in 2008. The resulting EU Energy Security &...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Enlargement of the European Union has helped to consolidate democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It has enhanced economic opportunities and increased the EU's capacity to tackle global challenges such as climate change. As a beneficiary of enlargement, Ireland looks forward to welcoming other European countries into the Union once they meet all of the conditions for accession. I am...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The legal basis for EU relations with Russia is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which came into force in 1997. Negotiations are continuing between the EU and Russia on a new agreement to replace the PCA. The successful conclusion of these negotiations will be important for developing the EU-Russia relationship further. The PCA established an institutional framework for...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving peace and stability in the countries of the Western Balkans, which were recognised as having a European perspective by the European Council at Thessaloniki in 2003. The General Affairs Council (GAC) of 7/8 December 2009 considered the Commission's comprehensive report of 14 October 2009 on progress made by...

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