Results 44,681-44,700 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The international community has demonstrated real commitment to combat HIV and AIDS and its consequences through a number of high profile agreements that include the Millennium Development Goals universally supported in 2000, the commitment signed by 189 UN Member States following the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS in 2001, and the special commitment made in...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (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 were recognised as having a perspective towards EU membership by the European Council at Thessaloniki in 2003. The efforts made by the countries of the region to meet the criteria for membership of the EU have varied. While the future prospect of EU...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 May 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. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can, as I am sure the Deputy will...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The situation in Sudan continues to be a focus of considerable international concern with attention centring on the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended the north-south civil war, and efforts to address the consequences of the Sudanese Government's decision in March to...

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

Micheál Martin: The situation in Chad has long been characterised by north-south tensions, and since 2002 the stability of the country has been threatened by armed rebellion against the government of President Idriss Déby. While the government signed an accord with civilian opposition parties in 2007, providing for a degree of political reform, armed rebel groups have remained active and intent on...

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 4 together. The search for peace in the Middle East is a major foreign policy priority for Ireland and for the European Union. The urgency of achieving that objective has been underlined by the events of the past six months. The crisis in Gaza at the end of the last year reversed the sense of momentum following the November 2007 Annapolis Conference....

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I take on board what the Deputy said about the situation on the West Bank where the policies run counter to facilitating a pathway to peace and a political settlement. The government of Mr. Salam Fayad and the Palestinian Authority has been weakened and undermined by the issues about which he spoke. In many instances, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Mr. Fayad and others have been endeavouring to develop...

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: There is a widely shared understanding in the European Union that the new Netanyahu Government must clearly demonstrate its commitment to a two-state solution and its willingness to abide by previous international agreements. That consensus is emerging within the Union. The messages have been very clearly sent to all concerned. We recently met Javier Solana, the head of EU external...

Middle East Peace Process. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The UN Human Rights Council has established a panel to examine violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed during the Gaza conflict. It will investigate allegations on all sides. The distinguished South African Mr. Richard Goldstone will head the inquiry. His three colleagues include the retired Irish Army officer Colonel Desmond Travers. The story of the...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka, the grave humanitarian crisis taking place there and the growing evidence that horrific atrocities were inflicted by both Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE. Reports of serious breaches of international humanitarian law include intensive shelling by government forces in areas in which significant numbers of...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Higgins in regard to the language used towards the conclusion of the war, that is, the phrase "the elimination of terrorists". For some time, the Government and the EU have said there cannot be a military solution to this issue and that, ultimately, a conflict resolution process must be put in place. A fundamental humanitarian crisis has been caused as a result of the...

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: The use of cluster munitions is an important point.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is very relevant.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: To be fair to Deputy Higgins, the question relates to the independent investigation to ascertain the facts on civilian casualties. The country and the Oireachtas are keen to highlight and condemn the use of cluster munitions in conflicts and to ensure it does not happen.

Foreign Conflicts. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: I take Deputy Higgins's point. Such consensus is difficult for the Chair to contemplate and deal with.

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department maintains a network of 75 overseas missions - 57 embassies, seven multilateral missions and 11 consulates general and other offices. It also maintains offices in Armagh and Belfast. Heads of mission carry different titles, including ambassador, permanent representative and consul general. There are currently 61 officials with the rank of ambassador, including a number serving...

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: In terms of Kenya, there are no immediate plans, and we are examining the entire configuration of Irish embassies at the moment, reviewing our strengths and weaknesses, with a view to establishing our future strategy and where we should be represented, within existing resources, given the economic climate. Recently we announced the establishment of an embassy in Abu Dhabi, for example, as...

Diplomatic Representation. (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: That would frighten me even more. Present company excluded of course, Deputy Higgins would make a fine ambassador and a fine exponent of foreign policy. I am not comparing one system with another. The American system is much different from ours and has been since its inception, but then it is a different type of jurisdiction and can bring different types of resources into play when a...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Quinn is a great admirer of the free market.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ring is perpetually independent.