Results 45,201-45,220 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Throughout the recent crisis in Mumbai, our Embassy in New Delhi and our Honorary Consulate in Mumbai maintained close operational contact with the Indian authorities. On my instructions, a diplomatic officer from the Embassy travelled immediately to Mumbai to set up a crisis centre for Irish citizens at our Honorary Consulate there. Throughout the days of the crisis this diplomatic...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (3 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: My Department has committed funding of €600,000 over the next 3 years to assist the work of the Chernobyl Children's Project International in Belarus. The funding will be used for the building of 6 community based day care centres which will provide a range of facilities, including medical care. I believe this will make a valuable contribution to the care of children in Belarus. At the EU...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: This is an issue of great importance to me and to the host families and organisations who give so generously of their time to the children of Chernobyl. I am determined to bring it to a successful conclusion. Every effort is being made to ensure that the children can continue to visit Ireland for the purposes of rest and recuperation. I spoke on this matter during an Adjournment debate on...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As my predecessor stated in the House on 6 February last, Ireland, together with its EU partners, continues to have concerns about human rights issues in Pakistan, including the situation of the Ahmedin. Promoting religious tolerance remains a key EU objective in Pakistan. We have urged the government there to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the third session of the Universal Periodic Review of UN Human Rights Council is being held from 1 to 15 December 2008. Colombia will be reviewed on 10 December. In the lead up to this review, a number of submissions have been received by the Department of Foreign Affairs, including the submission from ABColombia referred to by the Deputy. Ireland will participate...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. Over the last number of years, but especially in recent months, ordinary Zimbabweans have suffered from state violence, economic chaos and the collapse of basic social services such as health and education. Now, as a result of drought, the disruption caused by violence, and a lack of basic inputs such as seeds and fertilisers which...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: While this is a completely hypothetical question, I emphasise, as I have done previously, that no protest was made to the Government of the Czech Republic relating to the programme of its President while in Ireland recently.

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (2 Dec 2008)

Micheál Martin: Over the past decade, the number of Irish citizens travelling and living abroad has increased dramatically. Irish residents made almost 8 million visits overseas in 2007. As a result, requests to my Department for consular assistance and support have increased significantly. Every effort is made to assist families who experience difficulties. While the vast majority of visits abroad are...