Results 45,021-45,040 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Nationals of Moldova who wish to apply for a visa to travel to Ireland should lodge their applications at our Embassy in Bratislava. Embassy of Ireland Carlton Savoy Building Mostova 2 811 02 Bratislava 1 Tel: +421-2-5930-9611 Fax: +421-2-5443-0690 Website : www.embassyofireland.sk If a visa applicant wishes to stay for six months, they should apply for a 'D' type visa. A 'C' visa only covers...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Fine Gael did not do so; neither did the Government. There are still doubts. We are trying to reflect the will of the people. It is clear from the research that issues of neutrality and defence, with workers' rights, are high on people's list of priorities. We must listen to the people. We must create solutions with our European colleagues that reflect the will of the people, as...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have made the comment that we are a member of the eurozone. I have also commented on the role of the ECB. We have made other points about the role of the European Union and Irish troops in Chad. We have been clearly pointing out the positives of our membership of the European Union and working in a constructive way, both internally and externally with our colleagues in the European...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union. It is a very important debate at a critical moment of Ireland's engagement with the European Union. I am somewhat disappointed with some of the contributions so far. I was particularly facilitative in helping to establish the...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: A plenary debate in the House was always to be part of the process and for one party to suggest it egged others into having it does a disservice to the issue. The issue is too big for that; we can all nitpick.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: If the view is to try to chart a way forward for the European Union, we should work towards a unified approach instead of just turning up for debates and finding reasons for having a go at the Government or other parties. That is all I will say.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have been reasonable all along in trying to engage with other political parties. We have been criticised for not engaging. The whole purpose of the Oireachtas sub-committee was for the political parties in the House to engage. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Labour Party, the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Independents had representatives. I take it that they were not acting unilaterally...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I do and will respond at that stage. The Government attaches great importance to this crucial report, the findings of which dovetail so well with our ongoing work at European level. I am thinking, in particular, of the issues it highlights as being of most concern to the people: taxation, socio-ethical issues, foreign and defence policy, and Ireland's influence in the European Union. It...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has the makings of a fine diplomat.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: We do not need to wait.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. The Government has been working extremely hard since the decision was made on the Lisbon treaty. We commissioned quantitative and qualitative research. We facilitated and worked with other parties to establish the Oireachtas sub-committee. To suggest nothing was done, as Deputy Creighton has done, is wrong. The Fine Gael Party has an...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Criticising the Government seems to be a greater priority rather than advancing the core issues about the European Union. Some of the criticisms are not well founded. We have worked hard. Deputies should not be dismissive of the "No" vote. People are saying the tax issue has been sorted, as has neutrality, but the bottom line is that we did not convince the people.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is not true. It was always understood——

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Reference was made to "social" matters.

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The issues referred to by the Deputy are covered by the word "social".

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Can he go now?

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (4 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the United States Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a new Working Holiday Programme between our two countries in Washington on 24 September. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, my Department, in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (4 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The circumstances regarding the application of the person in question were outlined in my reply to question number 122 on 27 November 2008. The Passport Office has again reviewed the applications of both persons involved and has confirmed that the applications were in order. On the basis of that investigation, I am satisfied that no fraud was involved in either case.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (4 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Government is acutely aware of the plight of the Roma in Kosovo, particularly those who were displaced during the conflict, and has supported a broad range of projects targeted at helping this minority group. For the period 2005-2009, Irish Aid has allocated €850,000 towards development work with the Roma community in Kosovo, and a further €200,000 has been provided for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (4 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: On Thursday, 27 November, together with Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland, Mr. John Delaney, I announced the appointment of Terry Conroy as the new FAI welfare officer for Britain. This initiative is a direct response to concerns that the welfare needs of young Irish players who travel to Britain to take up positions at professional clubs be addressed. The vast majority...