Results 44,641-44,660 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 39 together. The conflict in Gaza has had devastating humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. It should also be recalled that, even prior to the recent conflict, Gaza was experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis due to the economic blockade by Israel and the effective isolation of the territory from the outside world. At the...

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have already indicated that it is not the core programme of Irish Aid to support such a movement. In essence, it seems the Free Gaza Movement is an advocacy group that engages in very high-profile events such as the flotillas identified by the Deputy. The preponderance of our aid goes through the Palestinian Authority, with aid supporting its governance functions in the West Bank and Gaza....

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I did not pick up the Deputy's first question.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: He set up a panel of inquiry, as the Deputy knows.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I do not have an outcome to the best of my knowledge. I will check on it and come back to the Deputy. The conference referred to by the Deputy pledged a significant amount and I met with Mr. John Ging on his recent visit. The issue for UNRWA is access.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Is that right? The Deputy deserves considerable credit.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I spoke with Javier Solana yesterday, the European Union official responsible for European security and defence policy. He spoke very highly of Mr. Ging and the role he played during the Gaza conflict.

Middle East Peace Process. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: He was very courageous and principled and he is a man of great integrity. He was a very important touchstone for us during the conflict as he was on the ground. The investigations are ongoing with regard to the shelling near or approximate to the UNRWA schools. What he and Karen Koning AbuZayd of UNRWA have raised is the fact that in some instances, even stationary has not been allowed into...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The total official development assistance budget for 2009 will be €696 million. It is anticipated the aid budget will amount to 0.48% of GNP. This will mean that Ireland will most likely remain the sixth largest aid donor in the world as a percentage of GNP. This remains an enormous achievement in the current economic circumstances. The reduction in the aid budget will necessitate...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy rightly points out that we have had a significant reduction in GNP in 2008 and 2009. While I do not want to go down that road, we are dealing with a net reduction of €80 million from a very substantial budget if we factor in the 2008 reduction and the expected 8% reduction in GNP in 2009. That is the context. We were aiming for 0.54% in 2009. Owing to the reduction in GNP we...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The NGOs will know very soon and we will be communicating with them directly. I point out that we have one of the best records of any donor countries in assisting NGOs and missionaries in that approximately 20% of our aid programme is delivered via civil society organisations with more than €200 million being provided in 2008. No other donor allocates such a high proportion of its aid...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: In my reply to the previous question I set out in some detail the important issues the Government is facing in implementing the adjustments to the aid programme which are now required. As I pointed out, with an overall allocation of €696 million in 2009, Ireland will again be the sixth most generous aid donor internationally in per capita terms. We will deliver on our commitment to resume...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would not accept that we were always claiming a lead role. It was only in the recent past that we have been claiming a leading role.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: Back in 2000 we contributed approximately €220 million and we have made dramatic progress since then. Of course our GNP grew dramatically over the same period and the linkage of the amount of aid allocated with GNP was a significant factor in that and agreements we made in that regard. Now that the GNP has reduced very significantly, people are very reluctant to factor in that decline in...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am simply saying that there clearly is a cut in the aid programme. Some relates to the reduction in GNP and some relates to additional amounts that have been cut.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The key issue for us is to create a sustainable pattern of finances that will ensure continued sustainable allocations for aid into the future. We are borrowing very significant amounts of money this year to support this programme and other programmes across Government expenditure generally. We are very keen to maintain our relationships and fulfil our commitments to the nine programme...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the current serious humanitarian situation with regard to Roma families residing in camps in Kosovo which are exposed to dangerously high levels of lead. International Roma Day offers an opportunity to highlight this issue and others relating to the well-being of Roma worldwide. Ireland continues to support all efforts to re-locate Roma families to safe facilities and we have...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am informed that a visit visa application in the name of the above individual was recently refused by the Visa Office in Abuja. Officials in my Department have reviewed the record of correspondence received by the Department and have been unable to identify any other correspondence in relation to this individual. If the Deputy is aware of any such correspondence I would be grateful if it...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (22 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The total Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2009 will be €696 million. €571 million will be administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the balance of €125 million being contributions to development co-operation by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Co-operation Budget. The total budget of €696 million...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: As a founding member of the Council of Europe, Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the European Court of Human Rights and its efforts to promote and protect human rights standards across member countries. Ireland has participated in recent discussions on the reform of the Court, which include proposals to increase the case- processing capacity of the Court aimed at alleviating the...