Results 44,601-44,620 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Developments in Madagascar over the past number of months are a matter of concern. The deposition by force on 17 March of Marc Ravalomanana, the democratically-elected President was clearly unconstitutional, and the regime led by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina lacks democratic legitimacy. The suspension of parliament by the self-proclaimed transitional administration on 20 March is a...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. At its meeting last December, the European Council promised to address the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon by way of legal guarantees and other assurances. On the basis of its full satisfaction with the outcome of this work, which is due to be finalised by mid-2009, the Government committed itself to seeking...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I visited New York and Washington from 15 to 18 March. On St. Patrick's Day, I accompanied the Taoiseach at his meeting with President Obama, and at other engagements. The discussions with the President covered a wide range of priority issues for Ireland and the United States. President Obama was most generous with his time and hospitality during the visit, hosting the traditional Shamrock...

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

Micheál Martin: I strongly condemn the recent launch of an experimental communications satellite conducted by North Korea in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1718. This was a provocative act, undertaken in defiance of warnings from the international community, including those made by our then Ambassador to North Korea during a visit to the country in February. I am also deeply concerned by the...

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

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs operates a limited system for the use of corporate credit cards for official expenditure. There are currently 10 official credit cards issued by the Department in Ireland. A list of office holders issued with these official credit cards; details of credit cards which are no longer in use and the credit limits on the cards are set out in the following table....

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department is fully committed to promoting and supporting the employment of people with disabilities, as set out in Part 5 of the Disability Act (2005). The Disability Act also obliges public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of their staff being employees with disabilities. My Department has met, and exceeded, this 3% target. Given the current restrictions on the recruitment of staff...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to express again my deepest sympathy to the family of the Irish citizen who lost his life in such tragic circumstances in Bolivia. My Department are in ongoing contact with the family and have liaised with them on securing the release and repatriation of his remains. I understand that...

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

Micheál Martin: Tackling human rights abuses, genocide, ethnic cleansing and terrorism in Africa are among the most important tasks facing the international community in the 21st century. These problems have many causes and manifestations, but poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity have all played a significant role. The risk of such abuses is greatest where political, economic and administrative...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army (excluding Reserves) and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. Ireland is currently contributing 780 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions...

Written Answers — Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 15 of today. As the Deputy will be aware, for the Treaty of Lisbon to enter into force, it must be ratified by all Member States. Ireland is currently one of four Member States that has not done so as yet. The others are the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Following the agreement of our EU partners to offer Ireland legal guarantees...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have regular discussions with my colleagues, particularly in an EU context but also bilaterally and at UN fora, on issues relating to international peace and security. The monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council provide regular opportunities in which to consider crises which may arise and the response of the European Union and the wider international...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The most recent ministerial meeting held in the framework of the current round of WTO negotiations ended inconclusively in Geneva on 29 July 2008, although progress was achieved on many of the issues covered by the negotiations. In the end, the breakdown came as a result of disagreement, primarily between the United States and India, on a special safeguard mechanism (SSM) for agricultural...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We will get in touch quickly with the NGOs. The 70% was an up-front contribution allocation early on. It was acknowledged that it was important to make such a commitment in advance of the budget. I am surprised at the Deputy's comment on value for money. The programme has grown rapidly in a short space of time and any Government expenditure programme that increases so rapidly requires...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We need to be extremely vigilant in terms of value for money audits on all of the programmes. We are vigilant and work with the OECD in that regard.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: No, I would be concerned if we did not do it. I am surprised the Deputy raised the matter because it is a relatively small amount. The Deputy quoted a percentage, but the base is quite small.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We have had other examples of Government expenditure where we had to justify the necessity of carrying out some value for money assessments.

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland claims continental shelf extending beyond the standard 200 mile entitlement to both the west and south of the country. Under international law these claims must be examined by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. For the purposes of our claims, we have divided the extended shelf into three sectors. The first sector is to the south west of the country near the...

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I just did that in my reply and outlined the three areas in which the Department has been involved. With regard to the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, we have now achieved a successful outcome as a result of our submission to the Commission. The second claim relates to the Rockall area of the north-east Atlantic. We are not talking about Rockall itself, as the rock is of no relevance to this at...

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We have now made our submission to the Commission on that. There is a timeframe involved. We had been hoping to reach agreement, but that was impossible. The ten year timeframe for making a submission would have been up in May, so we have made our submission now.

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: We endeavoured to get agreement first. We have an agreed Ireland-UK boundary, but the Færoe Islands and Iceland have not accepted that. There have been regular meetings in the intervening period between the four countries to try to resolve the issue, but that has not been possible. It is now a matter for the Commission. We are pursuing the issue and trying to get the correct outcome from...