Results 44,661-44,680 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 143 together. There is no doubt that the current volume of aid passing into Gaza is insufficient. The UN continues to report on shortages of basic humanitarian supplies and the number of daily truckloads of goods permitted into Gaza actually declined in April by 20%. While Israel is now allowing in some previously blocked items, such as paper for...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: My reply to Questions Nos. 1 and 4 have set out the importance I attach to making every effort to support and encourage the Middle East Peace Process. I have not yet had any contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who in his short period since taking office has been constructing a budget and carrying out a comprehensive review of policy on the peace process. However, we remain, of course, in...

Written Answers — Territorial Waters: Territorial Waters (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. Under that convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km) in breadth regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far, subject only to the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: It was with regret that I recently informed the Right Honourable, Rhodri Morgan A.M., First Minister of Wales, of the decision to close our Consulate General in Cardiff. While the closing of the office will means that we no longer have a full time representative based in Wales, I am determined that this necessary but regrettable action will not adversely affect Ireland's close relations with...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe in February was far from being a solution to Zimbabwe's problems, but was nonetheless a sign of some limited progress in the political process. Three months on, there have been some improvements in the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe, notably in curbing hyperinflation and adopting the South African rand as the reference currency. However,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I understand that France has taken an Algerian individual detained in Guantanamo who was cleared for release and who has family connections in France. The acceptance of detainees is a matter for decision by individual Member States. The Taoiseach has indicated that Ireland is willing to be helpful to the US on this issue. This position was confirmed at a recent meeting between Irish and US...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I visited Cuba from 17 -19 February 2009 on what was the first working visit by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Cuba is undergoing a major transformation, and its relations with the EU have entered a new phase. I availed of this new context to discuss a wide range of political, economic and social issues, including human rights. I held consultations with the then Foreign Minister,...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The arrangements in place regarding the use of Shannon by the US military are long-standing arrangements which have been in place for decades and are not specific to the current situation in relation to Iraq. The Deputy will be aware that a resolution to continue to make the Shannon facilities available was approved by the Dáil in March 2003. I would further point out that the present US...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Jacob Zuma was elected President of South Africa by the country's parliament on 6 May, following a general election in which Mr. Zuma's African National Congress won more than 66% of the vote. Mr. Zuma becomes the fourth President of South Africa since the transition to democracy following the end of the apartheid regime. On behalf of the people of Ireland, President McAleese has written to...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Croatia hopes to conclude its accession negotiations in 2009. The European Commission has produced a road map for the conclusion of these negotiations, but this depends on Croatia making the required progress on the outstanding issues. These include privatising shipyards; judicial reform; organised crime; minority rights; and co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is working to create the appropriate legislative, policy and administrative frameworks that will ensure a well regulated regime of adoption, the aim of which is to support and protect prospective parents and, more importantly, the children for whom adoption services are devised and provided. In addition, the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 63 together. The military offensive against the Taliban, which re-opened in the Swat area of Pakistan at the start of May, is continuing. It follows the breakdown in a ceasefire agreement with local militants which had allowed for the introduction of sharia law in the Malakand district to which Swat belongs. Real concern had been expressed, both in...

Written Answers — Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Lisbon Treaty Referendum (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 72 together. The Government is working with the other Member States and the EU institutions to finalise the texts of the legal guarantees which the European Council agreed in December should be given to Ireland. Specifically, we are finalising texts in the areas of taxation, defence and the provisions of the Constitution on the right to life, education...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be fragile, despite improvements following the State elections in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in December 2008. I very much welcome the fact that these elections took place in a generally peaceful atmosphere. The elections resulted in the victory of the National Conference Party and the swearing-in of Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving stability in the countries of the Western Balkans, which the European Council, meeting in Thessaloniki in 2003, recognised as having a perspective towards EU membership. The European Union's Stabilisation and Association (SAA) process provides the framework for co-operation on economic, political and legal...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Nepal has deteriorated since I last replied to a Parliamentary Question on Nepal on 27 January. The situation has been especially tense since the decision by the former Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (or " Prachanda"), to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Gen. Rookmangood Katawal, on 3 May over a disagreement regarding the integration of former Maoist...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 71 together. During the course of the military operations in Gaza in December and January, I strongly and consistently condemned the use of disproportionate military force in the heavily populated area of Gaza, which carried with it a very high risk, indeed almost a certainty, of high civilian casualties. This was tragically proven to be the case. I...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 146 and 147 together. Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. As has been stated on previous occasions, in response to similar Questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a 'league table' of countries deemed guilty of the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights concerns remain central to our...

Written Answers — Good Friday Agreement: Good Friday Agreement (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Arising from the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, six North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland were established. These Bodies play a significant role in taking forward North/South co-operation on the island. The North/South Bodies are jointly funded by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Funding from each jurisdiction is provided on an agreed proportionate basis...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is slowly recovering from the effects of the brutal civil war which lasted from 1996 to 2003. While much of the country now enjoys a degree of stability, I remain deeply concerned by the situation in the east of the country. Renewed heavy fighting broke out in North Kivu in August 2008 between the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP)...