Results 45,121-45,140 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003 the Development Co-operation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs has decentralised to Limerick. The Division is the Headquarters of Irish Aid. 124 staff have moved into the new Headquarters building in Limerick. A breakdown of grades is provided in the table. Of those in Limerick, 78 were in Irish Aid in Dublin...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Receptions hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ministers of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, June 2007-Present Date Event Host Total Cost No. of Guests Cost per Person Caterer € € 26/09/2007 Unveiling of bust of Mr. Frank Aiken,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I share the concerns of the Deputy about the oppressive treatment of the Baha'i minority in Iran. In my reply to Written Question 42351/08 on 25 November, I set out these concerns in detail, as well as the action taken by the Government to impress these concerns on the Iranian authorities. Further to that reply, I wrote last week directly to Foreign Minister Mottaki of Iran on a number of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 346 together. The Government remain seriously concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has effectively been isolated since the Hamas takeover in June 2007, even during a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas which was broadly respected from 19 June 2008 until 4 November 2008. Since then there have been a number of clear breaches...

Written Answers — FAI Welfare Scheme: FAI Welfare Scheme (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: On 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 followed a two-stage interview process conducted by the FAI and officials from the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department. This initiative is a direct response to concerns that the welfare needs of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: While the situation in Thailand remains tense, the demonstrations mounted by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which paralysed the capital and key airports in recent weeks, have ended. A new Prime Minister — Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party — was elected by the parliament on 15 December, and the process of establishing a new government is now underway....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: India remains in a state of heightened alert in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. There are concerns that there may be further terrorist incidents, particularly as the country prepares for national elections due before May 2009. Security remains tight throughout the country, particularly in major cities and at installations such as airports and Government buildings. My Department is...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together. The third session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council took place in Geneva between 1 and 15 December 2008. The UPR is one of the major new aspects of the Council, which subjects each UN member State to a thorough review of its human rights performance every fourth year. The reviews are based...