Results 44,441-44,460 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 45, 49 and 55 together. The priority for the EU and the international community in the Middle East right now must be to continue to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to engage in a viable peace process with the vision of a settlement which will result in two sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, co-existing side by side in peace and security. The EU...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: As I have stated on many occasions in this House, I am deeply concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka. The immediate priority is still the welfare of the 280,000 or so Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently being held in IDP camps in the north of the country. There is urgent need for unimpeded access by humanitarian agencies; for IDPs to be facilitated in returning to their homes...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The situation of members of the minority Baha'i faith in Iran has long been a matter of serious concern to the Government and to members of the Oireachtas. In recent years, there has been a progressive increase in harassment of individual Baha'is and there are worrying indications that these are part of a concerted effort by the Iranian authorities to destroy the Baha'i faith and community...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003 the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs has decentralised to Limerick. This Division operates externally under the name of Irish Aid. The Headquarters of Irish Aid is situated in the Department's Limerick building. 120 staff are currently based in the new Headquarters building in Limerick. Of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government and the British Government are in frequent contact about the ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles, including on follow-up to the report of the Eames Bradley Consultative Group on the Past. A public consultation process on the Eames Bradley recommendations is under way in the North, which will give an opportunity for all sectors of the community there to see if a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 57 and 71 together. Ireland attaches considerable importance to the vital work of trade unionists in Colombia and condemns all acts or threats of violence against organisations and individuals working there. I deplore the fact that the numbers of those killed continues to rise year-on-year. Ireland has consistently raised the issue of anti trade union...

Written Answers — Conflict Diamonds: Conflict Diamonds (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international initiative to stem the flow of "conflict diamonds". Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit diamonds has fuelled decades of devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

Written Answers — Illegal Trade of Natural Resources: Illegal Trade of Natural Resources (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The EU is closely following the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as that country recovers from the effects of the brutal 1996-2003 civil war. While much of the country has achieved a degree of stability, several localised conflicts have continued, most notably in the east of the country. These conflicts have in many cases been characterised by an appalling degree of...

Written Answers — Code of Ethics for Irish Industries Abroad: Code of Ethics for Irish Industries Abroad (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of any recent correspondence in relation to ethical guidelines between my Department and Irish companies working in the extractive industries abroad. The Government supports greater transparency in the area of foreign investment in general, including in the extractive industries. The Government also attaches the highest importance to corporate social responsibility with regard...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the European Council held in Brussels on 18-19 June, we achieved all of our pre-summit goals, including the permanent retention of an EU Commissioner for Ireland, and a series of legally binding guarantees relating to taxation policy, the right to life, education and the family, and our traditional policy of military neutrality, as well as a solemn declaration on workers' rights. This...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The number of staff employed by my Department on 1 September 2009 is 1,575. This includes 320 permanent staff who are working in the Passport Offices in Ireland and 17 permanent staff in the Passport Office London. The small number of permanent staff in the Passport Office in London is supplemented by 26 Temporary Clerical Officers who, from 1 January 2009, are included in my Department's...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and its EU partners continue to have concerns about human rights issues in Pakistan, including instances of intolerance towards the Ahmadiyya community there. Promoting religious tolerance remains a key EU objective in relation to Pakistan. We have urged the Government of Pakistan to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve their current...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following are the details of expenditure under sub-head A7 (Consultancy) under both Votes in 2007, 2008, and up to 14th September in 2009: Expenditure under Consultancy Subhead (A07) Vote 28 Vote 29 Total Vote 28+ Vote 29 2007 €245,462 €2,839,798...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. The Irish diplomatic network provides essential consular services, diplomatic representation and commercial services overseas. A number of missions also play a key role in the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the already difficult relationship between Georgia and the Russian Federation was further exacerbated by the violent conflict which broke out on 7-8 August 2008 and by the decision of the Russian Federation to recognise the break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. The efforts of the international community have helped return some...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. This diplomatic network consists of 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices. These Missions also have over 80 additional...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (22 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Iceland formally submitted its application for membership of the European Union to the Swedish Presidency on 17 July 2009. The General Affairs Council in July agreed to refer it to the European Commission for its opinion (avis), in accordance with established procedures. Given that its application is currently under consideration with the European Commission, no formal accession discussions...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: 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, initially provided for the payment of interest on invoices which are unpaid after 45 days from date of receipt. In August 2002, the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The formal framework for members of the Government to meet members of the Northern Ireland Executive is through the North-South Ministerial Council as provided for in Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement. They meet, however, also in other contexts. There have been forty-four ministerial meetings of the Council, including in plenary and institutional format, since restoration of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I condemn the criminal actions of those responsible for the bomb discovered last week in south Armagh. The lives of local people going about their everyday business, in their homes and in the wider community, were put at serious risk by an unrepresentative few who have no support for their actions. I wish to pay tribute to the security authorities on both sides of the border who worked...