Results 44,701-44,720 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (7 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 269 of 3 March 2009, there are a total of two US officials of Administrative and Technical status attached to the Embassy of the United States who act as liaison officers at Shannon Airport. They have been notified to this Department by the Embassy under Article 10 of the 1961 Vienna...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: At present there are 37 individuals working in my Department on temporary employment contracts which will expire before the end of 2010. All but one of those contract staff will cease their employment in my Department before the end of this year. The majority of these temporary contracts would, in any event, have come to a natural end, irrespective of the moratorium announced by the Minister...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe remains fragile following the formation of a power-sharing government involving Zanu-PF and the MDC in February. There have been some small signs of progress, and I hope that the new Government will be able to address the significant problems now facing Zimbabwe. The release of Roy Bennett, the designated MDC deputy agriculture minister, sent a positive signal,...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Apr 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. The implementation of this scheme for the Civil Service is being dealt with by the Department of Finance. It is understood that...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that that person is an Irish citizen. Proofs of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are also...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have made enquiries and been advised that there are no service agreements within my Department that come within the scope of the Deputy's question. There are no public bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 338 and 341 together. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to developing our bilateral migration arrangements with the United States, including finding a solution for our undocumented citizens. The Taoiseach and I emphasised the importance of this issue in our engagements with the US Administration and Congress during our visit to the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban men, known as the Miami Five, who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. As I have previously stated on a number of occasions to the Deputy, most recently on 25 February 2009, the Government has no standing in this matter, which is a bilateral consular question between the US and the...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government attaches the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States and their welfare, like the welfare of all Irish citizens abroad, is a key priority for my Department. In the course of my recent St. Patrick's Day visit to the US, I raised the plight of the undocumented Irish with Secretary of State Clinton and the Taoiseach discussed...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (31 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The conflict in Gaza witnessed a number of appalling incidents and alleged violations of international humanitarian law by both Israel and Hamas. I have called on several occasions — including at a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council — for these incidents to be fully investigated and, where evidence of violations of international humanitarian law is adduced, for...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (25 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on 4 March that it would issue a warrant for the arrest of the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Darfur conflict. Ireland and the EU have expressed our support for the work the ICC is doing. There has, however, been a strong political reaction in Sudan to the ICC...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's Embassies and Consulates overseas provide a range of services to Irish citizens, Irish businesses and the Government. There are currently no plans to cut back on the level of these services. The costs of running most of these overseas missions are met from the administrative budget of Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). A 6% reduction in the Vote 28 administrative provision in Budget...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: The European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 came into operation on 31 December 2003 on foot of a commencement order made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Since the commencement of the 2003 Act 12 cases have been transmitted by the European Court of Human Rights to the Government for a response. The majority of the cases relate to events which occurred prior to the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together. As a Government Minister I am allocated two Garda drivers who work on a week on — week off basis. Their salary is a charge on the Vote of An Garda Síochána. Each of the two Ministers of State in my Department has appointed two civilian drivers under terms and conditions set down by the Department of Finance. The current salary of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's Ambassadors are primarily drawn from the rank of Assistant Secretary and Counsellor/Principal Officer within the Department of Foreign Affairs. The authorised number of high level posts in the Department of Foreign Affairs comprises one Secretary General, four Second Secretaries, five Deputy Secretaries and 42 Assistant Secretaries. Of these 52 posts, 38 are assigned to...

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: There are no semi-state bodies operating under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have no role in the processing of European Arrest Warrants. Under the European Arrest Warrants Act 2003, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been designated as the Central Authority for Ireland for matters connected with European Arrest Warrants. I also understand that the case in question is currently before the courts and therefore sub judice.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: I utterly deplore the horrific humanitarian situation which exists in parts of war-torn northern Sri Lanka. According to recent reports, more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and 7,000 others wounded in fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka and the rebel LTTE over the last two months. Hundreds of children are believed to have died and more than a thousand have been injured....

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not operate a Voter Education Fund. In 2008 under the Communicating Europe Initiative a sum of €20,000 was allocated to an organisation entitled 'Voter Education Fund' in respect of the Rock the Vote project which was aimed at encouraging young people between the ages of 18 and 35 to vote in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum in 2008. The project comprised the development of a...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 Mar 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that, notwithstanding significant efforts by the relevant authorities, instances of sectarian behaviour have occurred at Scottish premier league games, and of the distress and offence that this can cause. I am fully supportive of the efforts of the Scottish Government, Police and Football Association to tackle sectarian behaviour, from whatever quarter. I am confident that the...