Results 44,761-44,780 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet, the ongoing security operations there, the treatment of demonstrators arrested during protests in March 2008 and since, the wider human rights situation and issues relating to the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of Tibetans. This year marks the 60th anniversary of events leading to the departure of the Dalai Lama from...

Written Answers — EU Council Meetings: EU Council Meetings (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The most recent General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) took place in Brussels on 16 March 2009. The Council focussed on preparations for the Spring European Council. The agenda also featured the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP), the Western Balkans, Belarus, Afghanistan, Sudan and EU-US relations. The Council examined proposals for spending €5 billion on energy...

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

Micheál Martin: Ireland established diplomatic relations with Venezuela on 29 November 1980 and is accredited on a non-residential basis through our Ambassador to Mexico. Ambassador Dermot Brangan presented his credentials to the then Venezuelan Vice President, Mr Jose Vicente Rangel, in Caracas on 8 May 2006. On 13 January 2009, Dr. Samuel Moncada, Ambassador of Venezuela in London, who is also accredited...

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

Micheál Martin: I attach the highest importance to the work of Ireland's Embassies and Consulates in promoting Ireland as a trading partner and as a location for foreign investment. In the context of the current economic crisis, this work is more important than ever. In order to give greater support to Embassies and Consulates in the promotion of the Irish economy in January 2009 a special unit was...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to support "a binding and comprehensive global treaty on the trade of arms, covering all weapons and ammunition...". In line with this undertaking, I am working hard to bring this about. At the United Nations, Ireland has been actively promoting the proposal for an Arms Trade Treaty to secure agreement on common international standards for...

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

Micheál Martin: I visited New York and Washington over the period from 15 to 18 March. On St. Patrick's Day I accompanied the Taoiseach at his meeting with President Obama at the White House, and at other engagements. The meeting offered an invaluable opportunity for a broad exchange of views with the President and his team at the start of the new Administration. The discussions with President Obama...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (23 Apr 2009)

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

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, on 22 January, President Obama issued an Executive Order announcing that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close within one year, which I warmly welcomed at the time. The US has sought the support and assistance of EU partners in bringing about its closure. Work is proceeding at the EU level for a co-ordinated approach on the issue. The Presidency...

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

Micheál Martin: The recent presidential and legislative elections in El Salvador were observed by a European Union Election Observation Mission, which included two Irish participants. The Observation Mission indicated that the 'electoral process was transparent and there were no relevant irregularities, enabling an outcome which reflects the will of the Salvadorian people'. I welcome the affirmation of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (23 Apr 2009)

Micheál Martin: The commitment to develop a joint parliamentary forum, which would bring together members from the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly, is contained in both the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements. In July 2007, at the first meeting of the North South Ministerial Council following restoration of the Institutions, the Council "recognised that any development of a joint parliamentary...

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

Micheál Martin: According to reports available to me, Sulim Yamadayev was killed by a group of men in a parking lot outside his apartment in Dubai on 28 March 2009. I understand that Mr Yamadayev was for several years a military commander in Chechnya and served under Russian federal command, before being relieved of his duties late last year. On April 5, the Dubai police identified Adam Delimkhanov, a...

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

Micheál Martin: Our ongoing dialogue with our fellow EU members, including those that joined in 2004, is conducted at a number of levels. I have regular bilateral discussions with my EU Ministerial counterparts as do my colleagues in government. Our Embassies in EU capitals undertake intensive contacts with their host administrations in support of Irish interests and report on relevant developments in those...

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...