Results 44,921-44,940 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe remains very grave, as the humanitarian and economic crises continue, and the number of cholera victims continues to increase. The formation of a power-sharing government involving Zanu-PF and the MDC is a sign of some progress, and I hope that it will be able to address the significant problems now facing Zimbabwe. However, the continued detention of political and...

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

Micheál Martin: The situation of members of the minority Baha'i faith in Iran has long been a matter of serious concern to the Government and to members of the Oireachtas. There is in Iran no tolerance of the Baha'i faith, which is regarded as a heretical or apostate offshoot of Islam. Over the last four years, as conservative forces have again asserted control in Iran, there has been a serious and...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (25 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I visited Cuba from the 17-19 February on what was the first working visit by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Cuba is undergoing a period of change, 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 a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Cuba, Mr. Felipe...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (24 Feb 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. I am aware that concerns have been expressed concerning the length of detention of Irish citizens in the United States, prior to their deportation. While the official...

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

Micheál Martin: There is no civil servant currently employed in my Department who is also in receipt of a civil service pension. However, there are seven employees who are in receipt of pensions relating to their previous service in either the Defence Forces or An Garda Síochána. Details of the salary scales of the staff in question are given below in tabular format. Grade Salary Scale (per week)...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (19 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The issues referred to in the Deputy's question relate to policy areas which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Ireland has successfully applied to participate in certain provisions of the Schengen Convention including those associated with police cooperation, mutual assistance in criminal matters and the Schengen Information System. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (19 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from income tax in respect of a benefit-in-kind arising from a bicycle or associated safety equipment being provided to an employee by his or her employer for the purposes of commuting to work. My Department is at present studying the detailed arrangements that will be required to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: No established civil servant employed in my Department is currently in receipt of remuneration in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which is subject to a personal rate.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (19 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government attaches the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. In the absence, to date, of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, we have actively pursued a bilateral approach in this area, aimed at reforming our overall immigration arrangements with the United States and facilitating greater legal migration between...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables: Table A: five highest-value contracts (current expenditure) awarded in 2008. Contract /Nature of Work Party awarded Contract Estimated value (full duration of contract) Technical support and maintenance of the Automated Passport System BearingPoint Ireland Limited €5.38 million (excluding VAT) over a maximum...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (18 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Government's opposition to extraordinary rendition and to the use of intensive interrogation techniques such as water-boarding, which are internationally considered to constitute torture, and its support for the early closure of the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, have been made clear on many occasions. This position was communicated by our Embassy in Washington to the incoming US...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: There are no regulators under the control of my Department. Some of the services provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs have a regulatory element, such as the issuing of passports. However, this relates to a customer service being provided by the Department rather than the regulation of activities by external stakeholders.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: There is no doubt that the conflict in Gaza was appalling, both for the people of the territory and for the wider peace process. The stark facts of the conflict make grim reading: 1300 people killed, nearly 6000 wounded, and thousands of buildings destroyed. Estimates indicate that the rebuilding process could cost $2 billion and take up to five years. From the start of the conflict in Gaza...

Written Answers — Smarter Travel Policy: Smarter Travel Policy (17 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not, to date, adopted a specific workplace travel plan. However, it is supportive of the Government's Smarter Travel Policy, launched by the Minister for Transport on 5 February, which recognises the valuable role that workplace travel planning can play in making commuting travel patterns more sustainable. There are a number of initiatives being undertaken by my Department...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together. The recent conflict in Gaza witnessed a number of appalling incidents and alleged violations of international humanitarian law by both parties. I have called on several occasions — including at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Brussels on 26 January — for these incidents to be fully investigated and, where...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (17 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: Much careful consideration is given to determining the Ministerial programmes for St. Patrick's Day to ensure that Ireland's economic, trade, social and cultural interests are effectively represented and promoted. The cost of each of the individual Ministerial programmes is, however, a matter for individual Departments. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide the Deputy with costs for...

Written Answers — Bilateral Relations: Bilateral Relations (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave earlier in response to the Priority PQ on this subject, which is set out below. Ireland and the United States enjoy close political, economic and cultural relations. 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...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: After one of the longest-running civil wars in Africa drew to a close in 2002, Angola has begun a period of major transition — economically, politically and socially — fuelled by a boom in oil production and high oil prices. Hopes that the end of the civil war in 2002 would lead to more political openness have only partially been fulfilled. Angola's first parliamentary election since...

Written Answers — Ireland's Future in Europe: Ireland's Future in Europe (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: When the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's future in the European Union was published at the end of November, I acknowledged the excellent analysis contained in the report and saluted the Chairman and all the members for their hard work. The report represents a significant contribution by the Oireachtas to our national debate on EU issues at a challenging time for Ireland in the...

Written Answers — US Military Bases: US Military Bases (12 Feb 2009)

Micheál Martin: With the collapse of the Soviet Union the five ex-Soviet Central Asian Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) had to adapt to a changed economic system and establish themselves as independent states. The Deputy will be aware that some countries of the region are rich in energy and mineral resources, but all face problems in the economic and social sphere....