Results 44,821-44,840 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

EU-Israel Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: On the other hand, I do not wish to encourage them too much.

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I share fully the concerns of the Deputy about the impact of arms transfers on human rights in conflict areas. The programme for Government commits us to supporting a binding and comprehensive global treaty on the trade of arms covering all weapons and ammunition. At the United Nations, Ireland has been actively promoting the idea of an arms trade treaty to secure agreement on common...

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The whole world is engaged in the armaments industry.

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is only one side of the European Union and its role on the international stage. The European Union is the largest contributor to humanitarian assistance in the Middle East.

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is never acknowledged. Generally speaking, in commentary on Europe, there is an over-tendency to portray Europe as a militaristic entity whereas it is possibly the best global entity around——

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: ——in terms of conflict resolution and humanitarian aid and so on. I accept the premise behind the Deputy's question in terms of the treaty and so on. From our perspective, the European Union has been a major driver in getting the arms trade treaty to the point at which it is now. Only recently, the code of conduct of arms export was upgraded to the status of common position. This means...

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: We are not taking a predetermined position. We will wait to see how the talks unfold and evolve.

Arms Trade. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I do. They are appalling weapons that visited huge injuries on the civilian population in Gaza. With regard to the Deputy's comment on the European Union, member states historically, long before the European Union, have been involved in the arms trade and industry. That is a fact we knew before we joined the European Union. The key issue in terms of our participation in the European...

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The United Nations Convention against Corruption was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its 58th session in October 2003. Ireland was among the first states to sign the convention when it was opened for signature in December 2003. The convention entered into force two years later on 14 December 2005. Ireland of course intends to ratify this convention. It is a very broad and...

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have been assured by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his Department that this is the case.

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The latter point is a rather silly one to make. It is a matter for the Oireachtas. I take the Deputy's points——

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Bill is on Committee Stage in the Oireachtas and is a matter for the Houses. If it is that urgent, the Deputy can also play a role.

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Bill is on Committee Stage in the Oireachtas.

UN Conventions. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I agree 100% with that point. The other point I would make is that when one is ratifying a convention, it should be done properly. Any country that is ratifying should make sure it is dotting its i's and crossing its t's, and that there is an exhaustive examination of what the convention entails and its application to various legislative requirements, to ensure one is actually ratifying it...

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and the United States enjoy close political, economic and cultural relations.

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Successive Presidents and their Administrations and Ireland's many friends on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle have made an enormous contribution to bringing peace and economic prosperity to this island. The Government attaches the highest importance to strengthening the unique relationship between the two countries. I welcome the commitment of the Obama Administration to overcoming...

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The question relates to the recovery and re-investment plan, which is fundamentally about the domestic US economy. Of course, if the American economy can effect a recovery, Ireland, as an open, exporting economy, stands to benefit. As I said in my reply, the US is extremely important to Ireland in terms of exports and investment from multinational companies. The broader issues raised by...

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Our ambassador is lobbying in Washington and is in touch with his contacts on Capitol Hill. With the greatest of respect, it is not for us to tell President Obama and his Administration about the fine-tuning of their economic recovery plan, which is a matter for the domestic political agenda.

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The ambassador and the IDA are vigilantly monitoring the issues that concern us, such as the key issue of international tax policy. This was flagged in the platform of the President during the election campaign. The indications are that nothing will be done straight away, but it may surface in due course. Of course we will be lobbying, as we did before, to protect Irish interests as far as...

Bilateral Relations. (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Not really. Of course, we will work as effectively as possible on our issues. Sometimes it is not through shouting and roaring from the rooftops that one goes about getting one's point across. There are obviously issues of interest to us on which we will be engaged with the American Administration. That will relate to their international tax policy.