Results 44,481-44,500 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: Advertising undertaken by my Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, and public information notices relating to significant developments in the European Union or in regard to Ireland's Official Development Aid Programme. Much of this material is now placed on the Department's Website but...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has provided an annual grant-in-aid to the European Movement Ireland over many years. This funding arises out of the Department's overall coordinating role in relation to Ireland's membership of the European Union. Deepening public understanding of the EU and maximising public awareness of Ireland's role in the Union is an ongoing strategic priority for my...

Written Answers — Public Relations Contracts: Public Relations Contracts (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: A request for tenders was published on 17 April for the provision of project management and consultancy services to advise and assist the Department of Foreign Affairs in the planning and execution of a public information campaign to inform and promote awareness of the European Union and Ireland's membership of the European Union. Deepening public understanding of the EU and maximising...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The issue on which the Deputy seeks clarification relates to the wording of the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009, which was passed by both House of the Oireachtas on 9 July. The Bill is necessary to enable the State to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. The Government and opposition parties have taken great care to ensure that the proposition put to the...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 794 to 796, inclusive, together. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was ratified by Ireland on 8 December 1989. The Optional Protocol to this International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR) will set up a mechanism that will make it possible for individuals or groups of individuals to submit...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 provided for the introduction of an exemption from income tax in respect of a benefit-in-kind arising from a bicycle or associated safety equipment being supplied by an employer to an employee for the purposes of commuting to work. Thus far, fourteen officers in my Department have applied to participate in the Scheme. There are no costs to my Department...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: As Deputies will be aware, and as stated previously in this House on many occasions, the Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Burma and plays an active role in international efforts to bring about positive change there. As indicated in the statement I issued on 11 August, the arrest, trial and conviction of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, on the most spurious of charges, further...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: At the present moment, the results of the elections in Afghanistan are still awaited. Though the outcome is not entirely certain, I am happy to set out my views on the electoral process to date. I welcome the fact that it was possible to hold both Presidential and Provincial Elections in most parts of Afghanistan on 20 August, despite the very difficult security situation prevailing there...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am dismayed by the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to order the expulsion of Mr James Elder, the respected UNICEF Communication Chief in Sri Lanka, from the country, by 21 September. The expulsion appears to relate to remarks made to the media by Mr Elder in the course of his official duties as UNICEF spokesperson, in relation to the suffering of children during the military...

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (16 Sep 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have detailed below in tabular form the expenses incurred relating to motor travel allowance (mileage) and travel subsistence expenses incurred by all Ministers and Ministers of State who have served at my Department since January 2004. As our current electronic accounting system has only been in operation since January 2004, it has not been possible, in the time available, to retrieve...

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

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs has offices in Dublin city centre, Balbriggan, Limerick and Cork. It also maintains a network of Missions abroad. My Department does not have any offices in County Louth, nor does it employ any staff at locations in that county.

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department made a detailed submission to the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, chaired by Mr. Colm McCarthy, in February of this year, as requested by the Department of Finance. This submission covered my Department's two Votes: Foreign Affairs (Vote 28) and Irish Aid (Vote 29). The format of the submission was in line with a template provided by the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: While international attention on Iran in recent years has related primarily on the nuclear issue, the Government and the Oireachtas have also been anxious to retain a focus on the deteriorating position of human rights in that country. I have had numerous occasions to discuss these issues in the Oireachtas, in relation to such issues as the use of the death penalty, treatment of minor...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: To date, nine members of staff of my Department have submitted applications under the Incentivised Early Retirement Scheme. Of these applications, seven have been approved and decisions are pending on the remaining two. 25 staff have applied to participate in the Special Career Break Incentive Scheme. Twelve of those applications have been approved and thirteen are currently being...

Written Answers — Bilateral Agreements: Bilateral Agreements (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together. The Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, launched by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in October 2006, provided a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges in strengthening North/South economic cooperation. Designed to provide momentum for a new phase of...

Written Answers — Good Friday Agreement: Good Friday Agreement (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: The North South Ministerial Council has been particularly active in the period since my appointment as Minster for Foreign Affairs in May 2008. There have been two successful Plenary meetings of the Council already this year: in January in Derry and most recently at Farmleigh on 6 July. The meeting in Farmleigh was our fourth NSMC Plenary meeting since restoration of the Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Sudanese Abductions: Sudanese Abductions (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 590 together. My Department became aware late on Friday night (3 July) of the abduction of the person mentioned by the Deputy, an Irish aid worker with Goal in Sudan. She and her Ugandan colleague, along with their Sudanese security guards, were kidnapped by armed men from a compound in Kutum, which is 120km from the state capital. My Department was in...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche T.D., met the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mr. Ossur Skarphédinsson, on 18 May, to discuss the issue of Iceland's prospective application for EU membership. The Icelandic Ambassador accredited to Ireland has briefed officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter and the issue has...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform has primary responsibility for visa and immigration issues. There is a dedicated visa office in New Delhi staffed by experienced officials from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform who have full decision making powers for all visa types including visa appeals. I am not aware of any difficulties that Indian citizens have in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's Ambassador to Uzbekistan is based in Moscow and our bilateral relations are limited in scope. The issue of the treatment of Christians in Uzbekistan has not been one that has arisen between the two countries, although Ireland has been one of a number of countries in the EU to express serious concerns about the general human rights situation in Uzbekistan, in particular following the...