Results 44,381-44,400 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Every applicant for an Irish passport must first establish that he or she is an Irish citizen. The passport application referred to by the Deputy was submitted on behalf of the child in question by his parents to the Passport Office on 10 January, 2007. As the applicant was born in Ireland in 2006, his application was considered under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. This Act...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of one civil servant at Clerical Officer level in my Department who is awaiting transfer to a location within the Laois/Offaly area. The timing of this transfer is not related to the moratorium on recruitment. The decentralisation to Limerick of the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the Headquarters of Irish Aid, was completed in...

Written Answers — Value for Money Reviews: Value for Money Reviews (30 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Evaluation and Audit Unit of my Department undertakes the programme of Value for Money Reviews under the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative. In the past three years, Value for Money Reviews have been completed in regard to the following activities: the Passport Service; support for Irish Emigrant Groups Programme; support to Tsunami Affected Countries; the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: My officials received a detailed report on the Rock the Vote project from the Voter Education Fund organisation on 5 June 2009. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the Deputy. The report describes the activities undertaken as part of the Rock the Vote project in encouraging participation in the referendum on the part of younger voters. Proposals for projects under the Communicating...

Written Answers — Overseas Visits: Overseas Visits (30 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I do not have the information requested by the Deputy. However, I have raised this matter with the relevant authorities in Cuba, through the Embassy in Mexico which is also accredited to Cuba, and will forward their response to the Deputy as soon as I receive it.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, payment of invoices by this Department is governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997 as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002. The Act, which came into force in January 1998, provided for the payment of interest on invoices which are unpaid after 45 days from date of receipt. In...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Act (2008) sets out the requirements for obtaining an Irish passport. In particular, the Act states that passports may only be issued to persons who are Irish citizens, within the parameters of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. In general, a person acquires Irish citizenship through one of the following means; by descent if one of his/her parents was an Irish citizen...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated in this House and elsewhere, I consider the continued effective blockade of Gaza by Israel to be both morally unacceptable and politically mistaken. I have consistently emphasised, in discussions with my EU colleagues and directly to Israeli Ministers, my view that the blockade should be brought to an end immediately, and the crossing points opened without restrictions on the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 June welcomed as an initial step the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu which recognised the goal of a peace which would involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is important that Mr. Netanyahu, as Likud leader and Prime Minister, has finally stated this, and to a conservative audience in Israel. I was disappointed,...

Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Ceann Comhairle is being too reasonable.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is the jester in this House.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: That was before the Second World War.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The disorder of business.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Opposition is wasting time. This is a parliamentary charade. They should do a bit of work.

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has already reported to the House on the institutional issues that were resolved at the Council, namely, Ireland's Lisbon treaty guarantees and the appointment of a new President of the Commission. I will return to Ireland's legally binding guarantee on security and defence in a moment, but first I wish to report on the important foreign policy issues we considered in Brussels....

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Under Lisbon, a new external action service would mean that the professional work of EU experts in conflict prevention and peacekeeping can be better co-ordinated. The Lisbon treaty is about providing the Union with an enhanced capacity for peacekeeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the UN charter. It is worth recalling...

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The current Commission is due to reach its conclusion in November, which is why we indicated last December that if we received the necessary guarantees and the change in regard to each member state retaining its Commissioner, we would put the issue before the people to facilitate the formation of the new Commission under the Lisbon treaty. If the new Commission is appointed under the Nice...

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: On the Commissioner issue, that is obviously a function of the Executive and in due course the Taoiseach will take that decision. All of the activities of the Government in this direction will be to secure an important position for Ireland in a new Commission. Of course, we must pass the Lisbon treaty first. If we seek a position of clout, a prerequisite would be the need to endorse and...

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: It would also give considerable room for mischief making as well.

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I refer to the question on workers' rights issues. A disappointing aspect of the debate on workers' rights has been the degree to which people glossed over the importance of the charter, which conveys significant additional rights to workers, including rights to information and consultation within an undertaking, the right of collective bargaining and action, the right of access to placement...