Results 44,941-44,960 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

EU Presidency. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Under an over-arching motto of "Europe Without Barriers," the Czech Presidency will focus on the economy, energy and the European Union in the world. Under the external relations umbrella, the Czech Presidency has identified three key priorities: the eastern partnership, transatlantic relations and Western Balkans-enlargement. The eastern partnership, which is part of the European...

EU Presidency. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The major package on the economy was the one agreed at the December Council, initiated by the French Presidency, namely, the economic recovery plan, which was an over-arching framework for providing a stimulus to EU economies. In the Irish context the more than 5% investment in capital infrastructure, which will take place in 2009, represents our economic stimulus package on the economy. It...

EU Presidency. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: No, that is not correct. It will deal with the other dimensions, such as energy, which we dealt withyesterday. There is a key emphasis on energy infrastructure because of the Ukraine-Russian crisis.

EU Presidency. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the energy situation, clearly the issues that arose between Russia and Ukraine had severe impacts on quite a number of EU member states. In a spirit of solidarity all member states are very concerned at what transpired, in terms of the commercial and economic disruption as well as the inability of both countries to live up to their contractual responsibilities in terms of the...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The peace process in Nepal has continued to progress since the elections of April 2008 and the establishment of a federal democratic republic to replace the monarchy. I welcome the recent agreement reached by the political parties on arrangements for the drafting of a new constitution. Likewise, the recent efforts by the Nepalese Prime Minister to ensure the return of property seized during...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: While I fully accept the Deputy's points, some progress has been made politically. The constituent assembly has chosen a President and Prime Minister and formed a coalition Government. It now has to work on drawing up a permanent constitution for Nepal. We will work and communicate the Oireachtas's views to the Indian Government on the role it can play. We will also work directly with the...

Human Rights Issues. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: Yes. The EU plays a very significant role in Nepal. The EU engagement centres around three focal areas, education, stability and peace building. It has allocated €60 million to funding projects that address these issues. We have had some criticism of the EU today but it is equally important to point to where it plays a positive role. The statistics about the humanitarian situation...

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 109, 138 and 150 together. At its meeting of 11-12 December, and following intensive negotiations, the European Council agreed that the concerns of the Irish electorate regarding the treaty of Lisbon, as identified by the Taoiseach, will be addressed to the satisfaction of Ireland and of the other member states, including through the provision of legal...

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am disappointed with the tone of the Deputy's remarks because the Oireachtas committee's report was published at the end of November.

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: We then led into the December Council, secured significant concessions from our EU partners, as per the Deputy's question, covering many issues raised including those pertaining to neutrality, defence and taxation, which were part of the Oireachtas committee's report. We have delivered on all those recommendations. We are working on the areas the Deputy mentioned and they will be part of...

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: We will respond specifically to the idea of the formal scrutiny reserve mechanism to deal with the issue of secondary legislation and whether we agree with the establishment of an EU panel for the Seanad. The political parties, independent of the committee's work, have put forward other ideas that have to be taken on board and considered and we are committed to doing that. Should we...

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The charter of fundamental rights represents a significant advance on workers' rights. Having the Lisbon treaty passed with the charter intact would also be a significant advance for them. If it does not pass it will be bad for workers. That principle must be articulated time and again because it is conveniently forgotten whenever we mention workers' rights. The Deputy is correct in...

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: The sub-committee's recommendations did not cover everything. There is a variety of submissions and we carried out our own research and analysis on the kind of issues that might arise. The only one pertaining to the Deputy's comment on the family is that it is a general view that Irish people should decide on issues such as abortion. It is a jurisdictional issue.

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: There was a time when the Deputy told me he did not want one date. He is not as clued out as he thinks or suggests.

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I assure the Deputy that I will consult with him on the date.

EU Treaties. (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: I will hear him and Deputies representing other parties on a date because I am anxious to develop as strong a consensus here as possible on this issue.

Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is the same thing.

Written Answers — Irish Unity: Irish Unity (18 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government makes clear that, following on the significant political progress of recent years, the Government is committed to further steps towards peace and unity in our country. The Government's position in this regard is rooted in the Good Friday Agreement which recognises that it is for the people of the island of Ireland, by agreement, to determine their political...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (18 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Applications for prisoner transfer under the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons or the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, 1995, are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department has responsibility for the provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens outside the State. In this regard, the Department maintains regular contact with the...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (18 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ensuring protection for the rights of workers is a central concern of the Government. The development of European policy and practice, as reflected in EU law, has been hugely positive for Irish and European workers. Directives cover a range of issues and rights, including equal pay for men and women; parental leave; maternity leave; the organisation of working time; equal access to men and...