Results 44,181-44,200 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. As I have stated on previous occasions, in response to similar Questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a 'league table' of countries deemed guilty of the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. One of the principal ways in which the international community, which includes the EU and the UN, promotes human rights is through action at the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. The Universal Periodic Review is one of the major new aspects of the Human Rights Council, which subjects each UN Member State to a thorough...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: In my reply of 4 November to a Question from the Deputy on this case, I stated: This Israeli action has very negative implications for the future of Bethlehem University and the ability of young Palestinians to receive third level education. I call upon the Israeli authorities to reverse this apparently unjustified and mistaken action, and allow the person concerned to return to Bethlehem...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: At its meeting on 8 December, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process, including a number of important references to the status of Jerusalem, and East Jerusalem in particular. The Council stated that "the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties."...

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

Micheál Martin: On 30 October 2009, a bilateral agreement, entitled A Supplemental Agreement for Co-operation and Technical Assistance and Security, was signed by Colombia and the United States. Articles Three and Four of this Agreement provide for continued U.S. access to specific Colombian facilities in order to undertake mutually agreed activities within Colombia and for the location of up to 800 U.S....

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

Micheál Martin: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. This Agreement will cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: It was a great privilege and a joy to announce the release on 11 November of Fr. Michael Sinnott after 32 days in captivity. His release was the result of an intense diplomatic effort by the Irish and Philippine Governments, working through the mechanisms of the Mindanao peace process. No ransom was paid to secure Fr. Sinnott's release nor was there any use of force. This was a victory for...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I support the Deputies' remarks. I have already stated in public that the performance of our public servants, particularly Ambassador O'Brien, demonstrated public service at its best.

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: That should be articulated clearly. Ambassador O'Brien and Mr. Robert Hull went to extraordinary lengths, as did our ambassador in Kuala Lumpur. One gets some sense of the network of people involved. One might ask why there is such a network in Malaysia but that is where the Mindanao peace process was being brokered. That peace process was central to the release of Fr. Sinnott. At times...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The US Government was of great assistance to us and has been on an ongoing basis in respect of such issues. I refer in particular to the case of Fr. Michael Sinnott. Secretary of State Clinton was particularly helpful. I have written to her thanking her for her interest in this case and for the help and assistance of her Government. I have written to quite a few Governments to thank them...

Departmental Expenditure. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Budget Statement for 2010 along with the Estimates for public services and public capital programme published on 9 December provides for a reduction of resources for my Department for 2010. In the case of Vote 28, the 2009 voted allocation was €207 million and the proposed allocation for 2010 is €178 million. In the case of Vote 29, which funds Ireland's development co-operation...

Departmental Expenditure. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is incorrect in his second assertion. There were no proposals for reform or amalgamation of embassies. There were straightforward proposals to get rid of embassies in order to cut the number of embassies by 2007. I chose a different approach because I believe we need our embassies overseas as part of Ireland's overall programme of economic recovery and in terms of the...

Departmental Expenditure. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: In previous replies to the Deputy, I indicated we were considering the configuration of our presence across the world to achieve optimal results from existing resources. For example we closed the mission in Wales and opened a new embassy in Abu Dhabi. We are actively considering a different type of representation model in some of our smaller European states for example, where there is a...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together. The position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps is a ceremonial position of precedence. The dean serves as spokesperson for the Diplomatic Corps on formal occasions and may be asked by the Diplomatic Corps to act as its representative in matters which concern the corps as a whole. The longstanding practice whereby the Papal Nuncio assumes the...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: This is a relationship between states. The meeting with the Secretary General was at the request of the papal nuncio and was clearly in his capacity as representative of the state of the Vatican. At the time, I was in Athens at the OSCE meeting. The request for a meeting with me was in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I take the point made by the Deputy that the papal nuncio...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The core of the issue is the necessity of a substantive response to the inquiries of any independent commission or tribunal. We must reflect on that. Diplomatic channels do not of themselves undermine, in any shape or form, the independence of any inquiry. Any documentation that comes via diplomatic channels is sealed and there is no access by the State to the materials contained within....

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I will clarify a number of points. At the time the Department did communicate to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Vatican's position that it wanted to deal with the queries from the commission via diplomatic channels. The message was conveyed to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which, in turn, conveyed it to the commission of inquiry. It was the...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Higgins, when the first Papal Nuncio was appointed to the State, in 1930, he automatically assumed the position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. There is no sense of a demand within the diplomatic corps for any change whatsoever. One would have to go through a rotational system, or whatever, and it might even cause more problems than one would wish. We have not always...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Nor is the Deputy suggesting that, either, I would say. However, the Deputy's other key point is fundamental in terms of the relationship, and that goes to the core of the overall question as well, in the sense that a state to state relationship exists in terms of my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and that of the Vatican. I have read the report and it is very strong on the canon law...

Diplomatic Representation. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have made these points, and of course we are awaiting a substantive response.