Results 45,161-45,180 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: They believed that there was an institutional balance to be arrived at and had no difficulty articulating the view that they believe a reduced Commission would lead to more efficiency and so forth. They have articulated this view publicly and within the Council. Others had reservations earlier in the negotiating phase. I respect the positions they presented to us. This was a difficult and...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Caoláin jumped the gun prior to Council and during the debate. Sinn Féin's spokespeople continually stated we were getting meaningless declarations. They are more surprised than anybody by what has been achieved. President Sarkozy was open and honest and told the 27 members at the Council meeting that this will mean a legal guarantee, a protocol, will be attached to the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will do so. I wish to confirm that a substantial provision of up to €300 million was agreed for carbon capture and storage. There was a robust debate on that issue, in respect of which we obtained a satisfactory outcome. I will reply formally to the Deputy in regard to the committee's work.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is new.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Read on.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Rubbish.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are precedents of organising multiple referendums on various issues, such as electoral representation, divorce and abortion. There is no constraint on reverting to the people to allow them to decide on any particular question. Regarding pigmeat, the issue was handled in the context of the EU through the European Food Safety Authority. This showed the importance of belonging to an...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Taoiseach stated, detailed work will have to be carried out in respect of dealing with the issues on which we received undertakings from our European colleagues and obtaining legal guarantees. These three issues are the protection of our traditional policy of military neutrality, ensuring that nothing under the Lisbon treaty will affect our competence in the area of direct taxation...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The matter relating to the hotel industry does not revolve around introducing even further legislation, rather it relates to the implementation and enforcement of existing law. The critical issue is that Ireland has in place a minimum wage. Sweden did not have a minimum wage and, as a result, the Laval judgment is extremely specific to that country. The absence of legal frameworks in...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are consulting with the social partners in respect of the employment law compliance Bill. I was involved in the process to establish the National Employment Rights Authority and also the appointment of almost 60 additional inspectors.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Taoiseach stated, the decision on holding a referendum is conditional on our obtaining satisfactory resolutions in respect of the issues we have identified. In any event, it will all be implemented in 2009.

Written Answers — Foreign Military Personnel: Foreign Military Personnel (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: No permission was sought or granted at any stage during 2008 for any member of a foreign military service to be present in the locations mentioned by the Deputy. Moreover, I understand that the Department of Defence has no knowledge of any such presence. The second part of the Deputy's question regarding foreign police forces is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 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 Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: The cost of implementing and supporting Better Regulation is difficult to quantify in terms of staff numbers or specific budgets, as these obligations fall into much of the day to day work of a number of sections within my Department. There is no separate budget line maintained by my Department for Better Regulation. As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the escalation in fighting which has taken place in recent months in the northern part of Sri Lanka, including in the Vanni region, and by the humanitarian plight which has affected the people there. The situation has been exacerbated by Cyclone Nisha which hit northern Sri Lanka on 25 November, causing heavy rains and flooding which reportedly forced up to 70,000...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy on 16 October, I instructed the Irish Embassy in Paris to contact the Tribunal de la Police again to request an update on the investigation into the assault suffered by the person concerned. In response to the Embassy's immediate representations, a reply from the Police Commissioner in Lourdes was received on 12 December on the outcome of the police...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will appreciate, requirements for permission to enter and work in Australia are solely matters for the Australian authorities. The person mentioned by the Deputy should remain in close contact with the Australian authorities in New Zealand to seek early clarification on the status of her visa application to return and work in Sydney.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible, within the timeframe permitted, to undertake a comprehensive review of this visa application, which was lodged at the Visa Office of the Irish Embassy in New Delhi. I have requested that the Visa Office further examine this application, and an official in my Department will revert directly to the Deputy once we have undertaken a more detailed review of the matter.

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together. I am fully committed to achieving the goals set out in the Action Plan for Better Regulation and believe that improvements in regulation can have a positive impact on the quality of engagement between the public and Government. Most of the legislation brought forward by my Department does not impact significantly on the regulatory...

Written Answers — Pricing Policy: Pricing Policy (16 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: This is a matter for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who is currently engaged with the retail sector as to the reasons why the benefits of the euro's appreciation have not been passed on to consumers. I understand that the Tánaiste intends to further pursue this matter with the retail sector in the coming weeks.