Results 44,201-44,220 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: As Deputies will be aware, I have paid particular attention to the worsening conditions in Gaza, even before the conflict at the beginning of this year. I have stressed the humanitarian needs of the population there, and the urgent necessity to end the blockade and open the border crossings, not only to unrestricted humanitarian aid, but also to reconstruction materials and ordinary...

Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Israeli authorities have made clear that they are refusing all political level visits to Gaza at this time. Supposed security considerations have also been cited. This is a matter of deep disappointment and concern to me. It is still my intention to make such a visit and I would hope to be given a positive response when I make such a request in future. My understanding is that a...

Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Deputy's comments and believe we are broadly at one on the issue. I will be pursuing this further. We were of assistance to the previous delegations mentioned by the Deputy in terms of our embassy there and so on, in facilitating the entry to Gaza of people such as Gerry Adams and, indeed, Deputy Kenny and others. I have written to the incoming Spanish Presidency and the...

Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: ------the inability to rebuild Gaza because of the unacceptable blockade. That is what is at issue here. France's Foreign Minister, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, has been refused entry and he is still trying to pursue it. We are not doing this to be provocative. We are doing it, in essence, to draw attention to the plight of Gaza as well as to see at first hand what is happening on the ground...

Middle East Peace Process. (15 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Many statements have been made, but it is interesting that an article in the Jerusalem Post reported that prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu's Government has an undeclared, but de facto, policy of not letting senior political figures, such as foreign ministers, enter the Gaza strip from Israel. That would appear to be the position. I gave the Deputy both reasons, one of which is Israel's...

Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Costello is wasting time.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: At present, two Irish civilians are seconded by the Department of Foreign Affairs to positions in Afghanistan. One of these works as a Rule of Law Outreach Officer with the EU Police Mission to Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan), which is contributing to the establishment of sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements under Afghan ownership and in accordance with international...

Written Answers — Departmental Boards: Departmental Boards (9 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: There are no state boards, agencies or regulatory bodies operating under the responsibility of my Department. However, there are currently three bodies; two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. All members serving on these bodies do so in a voluntary capacity and are not in receipt of a salary or fee. The Development Education...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The number and grades of staff in my Private and Constituency Offices are set out in the following tabular format. Staff of Private Office of Minister Micheál Martin, T.D. Grade Number of staff First Secretary 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Executive Officer 1 Staff Officer 1 Clerical Officer 2.9 Special Advisor 2 Total 8.9 Staff of Constituency Office of Minister Micheál Martin,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The number of staff that received financial assistance to pursue courses in further or higher education in each of the past five academic years is as follows: 2005-2006: 51 2006-2007: 51 2007-2008: 61 2008-2009: 29 2009-2010: 32 This involves a total of 135 individual staff members pursuing a course during the period in question. Qualifications acquired by officers are one of the...

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (8 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 285 together. The Papal Nuncio called to Iveagh House at my request this morning to discuss the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation and the cooperation of the Nuncio and the Holy See with the Commission. Neither I, nor my predecessor, received any communication prior to the publication of the Commission's report regarding a...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (8 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 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 — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (8 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Global Irish Economic Forum was convened by the Government with two broad objectives: to explore how the Irish at home and abroad and those with a strong interest in Ireland could work together and contribute to our overall efforts at economic recovery; and to examine ways in which Ireland and its global community could develop a more strategic relationship with each other, particularly...

Written Answers — Free Trade Agreements: Free Trade Agreements (8 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...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The person referred to by the Deputy is a Palestinian activist on political and human rights issues, who was arrested on 22 September on returning to the West Bank from Jordan, following a visit to Norway and other countries. He has been held since then in administrative detention. The Irish Missions in Israel and Palestine, and the EU Presidency and other partners, have been following the...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (2 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, first became aware of this case in July of last year. I understand that the issue concerned a complex and difficult land dispute in northern Tanzania. My Department's primary concern is for the safety and security of Irish citizens living or visiting abroad. As the Deputy is aware the person concerned has departed Tanzania. Our Embassy has...

Written Answers — International Education Sector: International Education Sector (2 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The international education sector makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy. Latest estimates indicate that the overall economic impact from international students in higher education institutes and English language schools in Ireland, including fees, accommodation and living expenses, is over €900 million. Enterprise Ireland, on behalf of the Minister for Education and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The information sought by the Deputy is not available for the period prior to the inauguration of the Corepay system in 2002 and the average salary figures for the period prior to 2008 is not readily available. However, work on compiling the average salary figures by grade for the years 2002 – 2007 is under way and I will be happy to provide the Deputy with this information before the end...

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (1 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: While I am aware of initiatives by the Department of Transport and other Departments and agencies in relation to electric vehicles, it is the case that there is not an electric car available today in the mainstream market. Accordingly my Department has not entered into an arrangement for the purchase of any electric vehicles in 2009 or 2010. In 2009 to date my Department purchased six...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Dec 2009)

Micheál Martin: The total energy costs in respect of all buildings owned or rented by my Department, both in Ireland and abroad, amounted to €1,753, 151 in 2008. It is not possible to isolate the cost for heating alone. My Department regularly reviews expenditure on energy and co-operates with the Office of Public Works on initiatives to ensure compliance with best practice, in particular in relation to...